Sophie Paterson

Legal and ethical considerations, codes of practice and regulations

The copyright designs and patents act was first established in 1988. It was introduced to
ensure that the work that has been created is protected as well as to make sure that the
creators are rewarded. It gives the creator including those of literacy, musical, dramatic and
artistic the choice on how their work is used. This could be adapting, broadcasting or
copying. Before this act was legally set into place, there was little the creator could do if
their work was stolen. Whereas copyright protects intellectual property e.g. books, plays
and software, patent is often made to assist inventors and provides the patent holder the
right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention. With
10% of someones work may be copied without infringing on copyright.

The duration of copy right depends on the type of work that has been created. For example,
literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work last the life time of the creator plus seventy years
after their death. After this time, copyright is usually passed down to their heirs.
Regarding the name or title, copyright laws do not apply as that may be used in unrelated
instances. However, other legalisations e.g. trademark, may cover this meaning it is still
protected. Work on the internet is also a subject to copyright, designs and patent act unless
the site is listed as royalty free.
When it comes to software, once you purchase a package a license has also been purchased
which allows you to use the software legally. This means that the company have stated you
do not own the software but are allowed to use it anyway. However, it may be illegal to
download the software on multiple computers as when you purchase the software you are
only purchasing a single licence. In certain cases, companies will sell multiple licences which
can be used on numerous amount of computers.
Ethical considerations
Ethical considerations must be taken when working in any part of the multimedia product.
Restrictions will apply to what can be said as well as what youre allowed to do. This is set
into place to ensure the audience are not affected by any negative comments. Depending
on the media role, different restrictions will be placed. For example, more heavy
enforcements will be set into place on the television than there would be on the internet.
When creating my MM product for my chosen band three laws should be taken into
consideration, one of them being the privacy law. These are those in which deal with
regulating, storing and using identifiable information of an individual. This means
permission should be granted before the use of an image/text is used with an individuals
information.
Decency laws should also be taken into thought. These laws are put into place to make it an
offence to do any act of lewed, obscene or act of disgusting nature in public. This act
should be kept in mind when including any music videos as any wrong acts that are
suggested as one of the things may but the audience in danger.
Sophie Paterson

Another law includes libel law. This is when an expressed print, sign or image exposes an
individual to harm in their profession or cause public hatred or ridicule. To avoid this when
creating the MM product, I will take precautions such as being aware of what it is Im saying
as well as making sure it is based on pure facts.

The product must also have confidentiality of information. This is when neither party shares
any information or data until there has been an agreement.

The MM product must remain unbiased and accurate in how you represent and describe the
content and characters. This applies to:

1. Race (black, white, Asian etc.)

2. Gender (male, female etc.)
3. Sexuality (homosexual, heterosexual etc.)
4. Disability
5. Nationality
6. Regionalism
7. Age
I will ensure that all these acts are complied with, as it is essential I take these are taken into
consideration. This means that I cannot suggest that one of these groups is inferior to the
other, otherwise I will be in breach of this rule and my production may be withdrawer.
To guarantee I will follow these rules and regulations, the images and videos I choose to use
from the internet will be royalty free or I will have permission to use them. The content I will
use will also be appropriate for the target audience and I will ensure that there is no biased
or prejudice opinion in the information I have collected. The logo will also be designed by
myself as this further avoids any copyright laws.
Codes of practice and regulations
OFCOM
Ofcom is a communications regulator set in the uk, that regulates different forms of media
including; TV, radio, and videos on demand etc. Ofcom are set out to make sure that people
in the uk get the most from there communication services, whilst being safeguarded from

scams.

Advertising standards authority (ASA)

Sophie Paterson

The role of the ASA includes regulating the content of advertisements, ales promotions, and
direct marketing in the uk. Thy do this by enquiring any complaints that are made about
them, and decide if it fits into the advert standard code.

British interactive media association

The British interactive media association, who were formed in 1985, is a business that
represent the digital industry in the UK. They state that their mission is to innovation and
excellence across the digital industry.
Sophie Paterson

Classification of videos

BBFC- The British Board of Film Classification

The BBFC is an independent body which has been classifying video/DVDs since 1984 and
later cinema films in 1992. They aim to make customers aware about content such as music
videos, which are found on vivo and YouTube, who are currently working in partnership with
the BBFC to ensure that unsuitable videos contain an age rating so
that they un assessable to anyone 12 and under.

The Vevo website contains the BBFC rating symbols for the first few seconds of the music
video. However, once the courser has been moved the rating will re appear in the corner. A
symbol can also be pressed so that the rating appears.

Once an artist has released a music video in the UK, the record label of the artist will submit
the video to the BBFC where they would at least expect at rating at 12. The BBFC will then
analyse the video and assign it an age rating. They will consider any references of drugs, se,
nudity, and any dangerous/threatening behaviour etc.

When making the decision of the age ratings, the BBCF must ensure that their standards
meet with the publics expectations. In order to do this, the BBCF will carry out public
consultations every four to five years to find out the opinions of the public on their current
age ratings. Depending on the publics response, the BBFC will alter their ratings to meet the
publics expectations.
Sophie Paterson

There are different age ratings the BBFC will give a video including;
Universal- Universal also known as U is suitable for all user to listen to.
PG- Parent guidance is the general viewing for everyone but some
scenes may be unsuitable for children.
12A/12- these videos are suitable for people ages 12 and over.
However, if accompanied by an adult6, people under the age of 12 may
see a 12a film.
15- A fifteen rated film is suitable for anyone 15 and over.
18- a film rated 18 is suitable for adults only.
R18- an R 18 is a restricted 18 film. They are only to be shown by a
specially licensed cinema.