Legal Controversies

            Education needs to be funded and supported by the state and most certainly the nation. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, on Monday, February 4, 2013, a state district judge ruled, “Texas’ school finance system violates the state constitution” (Reuters, ¶ 1). The school system does not have enough funding and the profit margin is low as well. This should be a wake-up call to the state of Texas but also to the nation that the education system of this country is and has not been of major concern. More regrettably, topics involving the arts are the first to be cut from curriculums in districts with limited funding. However, funding for other activities such as sports almost never are cut from school systems. The absence of the arts leads to less creativity, self-expression and tons of other processes necessary for individual and group development.

On a slightly different note, teaching students about music piracy is a project that Shed Records (London-based) is doing. They are starting with five schools. The project is designed to educate students in the school system that illegal downloading hurts more people than just artists. Paul Shedden, Head of Label at Shed Records, explained the project is about raising awareness of the 'unseen' faces in the industry [that] rely on music sales for their livelihoods (Izundu, ¶7). The plan is to eventually have this program offered nationally with other record studios involved. It addresses necessary issues in the music industry. This also relates to VP Music Studios because information available online should be downloaded legally not illegally. When it comes to studio online content, only registered students should have access to company trade secrets.

            The case of Richard O’Dwyer and the copyright infringement he is accused of committing should be an issue of awareness. Copyright issues occur beyond the borders of the United States. For this reason, protection of personal assets and creations should be of utmost importance. Put it this way. If you do not feel a creation is worthy of protection or if do not care if it is distributed for free then do nothing. However, if you do care, get it copyrighted.

Thanks for reading,

Bryant Belin