"You're under arrest!"

Composer, adjudicator, player and educator, Stephen Roberts, sheds light on copyright law, argues a convincing case for its need and poses the critical question: ‘Are YOU breaking the law?’

I read today that nearly two billion people use social media worldwide.

For some it’s crucial to inform the world via Facebook or Twitter, etc., that you have just put a sock on. Or run a half marathon. Or eaten a pie. Or won a band contest. It’s so easy these days. Just get out your mobile and set the video to 1080 broadcast quality, and voilà… a video recording of your band performing some piece of music. Get it on the net. ‘Ave it. Share. Like. Result. ;-) Except that what you may have just done is against the law. It’s tantamount to theft.

“OK drop the mobile, hands in the air, you’re under arrest.”

“It’s only a memento for my Gran…”

“‘Shad-up’ punk. Tell it to the judge. Take him away.”

“I sentence you to two years hard labour.”

“Oh no, mama, didn’t mean to make ya cry! - I didn’t know the law…”

“Ignorance is no defence. Thunderbolt and lightning. Take him down.”

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