I work for a university and we are currently putting together a student yearbook. As well as profiles of this year's graduates , it will also include illustrative images and editorial about the year - this is to remind the studnets in years to come, what was popular on the year they graduated.
We would like to include some current CD album covers purely for illustrative purposes. Would this infringe copyright?
The yearbook will be sold at graduation and any profits will go into the university's development fund.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
using album artwork in a printed publication
Hi Lettie,
Technically speaking I think including album covers would be infringement. I don't believe this use would be covered under the fair use provisions for the purposes of news reporting or review. That said, I do not imagine that record companies would put up strong objections to what you propose, as it would act as advertising and conveniently promote the bands involved to one of their major markets. Try writing to get permission. If you get success with one label, make sure you mention this to others that you write to, in the hopes that they will all feel the need to support your project. I wouldn't bother to mention that the yearbooks will be sold.
Good luck.
Technically speaking I think including album covers would be infringement. I don't believe this use would be covered under the fair use provisions for the purposes of news reporting or review. That said, I do not imagine that record companies would put up strong objections to what you propose, as it would act as advertising and conveniently promote the bands involved to one of their major markets. Try writing to get permission. If you get success with one label, make sure you mention this to others that you write to, in the hopes that they will all feel the need to support your project. I wouldn't bother to mention that the yearbooks will be sold.
Good luck.
Advice or comment provided here is not and does not purport to be legal advice as defined by s.12 of Legal Services Act 2007
[quote="AndyJ"]Hi Lettie,
Technically speaking I think including album covers would be infringement. I don't believe this use would be covered under the fair use provisions for the purposes of news reporting or review. That said, I do not imagine that record companies would put up strong objections to what you propose, as it would act as advertising and conveniently promote the bands involved to one of their major markets. Try writing to get permission. If you get success with one label, make sure you mention this to others that you write to, in the hopes that they will all feel the need to support your project. I wouldn't bother to mention that the yearbooks will be sold.
Good luck.[/quote]
Thanks for your help - much appreciated.
Technically speaking I think including album covers would be infringement. I don't believe this use would be covered under the fair use provisions for the purposes of news reporting or review. That said, I do not imagine that record companies would put up strong objections to what you propose, as it would act as advertising and conveniently promote the bands involved to one of their major markets. Try writing to get permission. If you get success with one label, make sure you mention this to others that you write to, in the hopes that they will all feel the need to support your project. I wouldn't bother to mention that the yearbooks will be sold.
Good luck.[/quote]
Thanks for your help - much appreciated.