Scanning my own sheet music for my own use on a tablet

[Pete]

I have legally purchased sheet music. I was wondering if

A. I can legally scan it to put a digital version on my tablet (for my own private use)


B. If so, and the app can play the sheet music as a MIDI file, is this also legal?

(again not for public performance or sharing)

Thanks!

I'm thinking specifically about this:

http://www.zubersoft.com/mobilesheets/

[AndyJ]

Hi Pete,
Up until July 2015 this would have been legal but a judicial review found that the process by which the Government had introduced the so-called 'format shifting' exception, was flawed and so the exception has been withdrawn pending a decision on how or if to levy a suitable fee to compensate the rights owners.
However since the purchase price of the sheet music includes an element which forms a royalty to the composer, allowing you to perform the music in private, I think it would be worth contacting the music publisher and asking for permission to do this as it seems to be entirely within the spirit of the private use licence.

[Pete]

Thanks for that info.

This could have enormous consequences.

I f i understand correctly, the following would not be legal:

1. For a singer to jot down (on the back of an envelope) the lyrics to a song which they own legally (e.g. on a purchased CD) so they can sing it with a band (at a properly licensed venue)

2. I write out a copy of my legally owned sheet music in a different key, so I can then play it in that key at home on my saxophone.

[Pete]

1. For a singer to jot down (on the back of an envelope) the lyrics to a song which they own legally (e.g. on a purchased CD) so they can sing it with a band (at a properly licensed venue)

Come to think of it not a good example if that is for commercial use.
This is a better example:

For somoeone to jot down (on the back of an envelope) the lyrics to a song which they own legally (e.g. on a purchased CD) so they can sing to their children at bedtime.

[AndyJ]

Thanks for that info.

This could have enormous consequences.

I f i understand correctly, the following would not be legal:

1. For a singer to jot down (on the back of an envelope) the lyrics to a song which they own legally (e.g. on a purchased CD) so they can sing to their children at bedtime.

2. I write out a copy of my legally owned sheet music in a different key, so I can then play it in that key at home on my saxophone.

Hi Pete,
You are right that technically speaking both of those would amount to infringement now that the private cpying exception has been withdrawn, although for all practical purposes I don't think you would face any significant risk of being sued!

I understand that clearly you want to stay legal, and it is very frustrarting that the exception has been withdrawn, for which we have the music business to thank.

[Pete]

I understand that clearly you want to stay legal, and it is very frustrarting that the exception has been withdrawn, for which we have the music business to thank.

Many thanks - a much faster response to the question than MPA.

[FrancesQ]

Can I join in here to ask if it is legal to scan a bought piece of sheet music and put it on a tablet for use in a public concert? Particular need would be in a concert where a number of heavy books are required with just one or a few items from each book needed, it's easier to have each piece on the tablet. But is it legal?

[AndyJ]

Hi Frances and welcome to the forums,

Yes scanning or photographing a piece of sheet music onto a tablet would infringe copyright as the exception for private format shifting that was introduced in 2014 has been rescinded. However if you have bought a copy of the sheet music in question it might be worth contacting the music publisher and asking permission to do this, as I understand it is a fairly common practice among musicians and choirs etc.
Due to the nature of your proposed use of the music at concerts, the other exception for private study etc, would not be applicable.

[FrancesQ]

Thank you. Yes it is definitely common practice, and it seems quite reasonable provided the individual is in possession of the purchased original. That is the argument I hear put forward. Interesting to know however that it dies not follow the letter of the law.