I was in a production of “Oklahoma” back in High School. Now, due to the fact the Clay Aiken (Clayton Grissom) was in it as well, there are unscrupulous sellers who are making hundreds of dollars off the illegal video tape that was made of the production!
I’ve tried alerting eBay and the Rodgers & Hammerstein estate to get this auction closed down, but its still up there. If people are going to continue to profit off the work I did for a school production, I feel I should be entitled to compensation!
I never consented to have my work as an actor in High School made available for viewing and purchase and profit! Where’s my cut?!
I can’t tell if this is a joke or not. Did you really talk to the R&H estate?
Is it illegal for parents to videotape their children’s high school performances these days?
If anything, I can see that the legal issue would come in at the point that the videotape is sold. But doesn’t that happen all the time? (bootleg concert recordings)
I am pretty sure that this is not a joke. As I recall, based on my high-school drama days, even schools are required to pay royalties on plays that are not in the public domain. Ergo, it stands to reason that if someone is making money off of such a work, then the author is entitled to a percentage of the profits and (by extension) the performers.
Definitely not a joke. I have sent an email to eBay, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Leesville High. I’m tempted to contact the local media as well if something isn’t done about this.
The thing is, theatrical productions are only contracted out to high schools, community theatres, what have you, for the rights to perform the production a set number of performances. Videotape copies are strictly forbidden, (which is why practically all theatres have an announcement before the program and/or printed in the program forbidding the use of video cameras.)
I realize it happens, but when i see someone making endless copies of their copy just to make a bundle, well, it makes my blood boil.
To be honest, I was in three shows with Clayton Grissom back at the time. If this sort of auction is legal and not shut down, I’m tempted to get a hold of video copies, if they exist, and start raking in the cash. (Except I wouldn’t as i have serious moral issues about exploiting underage performers for profit.)
I guess I’m mainly mad that the damned thing exists, and yet the dozens of individuals who put their blood, sweat and tears into making the production are getting stiffed by some guy who is pocketing all of the profits.
Anyway, I guess it is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s call, as it is their copyright to protect, but if they don’t shut this down, I’m tempted to alert others in the production to let them know what is going on…
I’m kind of surprised eBay hasn’t pulled the auction, but then they seem to be a bunch of pussies that don’t respond to their client’s emails unless they have to. I have seen an auction of Xeroxed copyrighted music get pulled, but only after a large angry mob sent them multiple emails. I have yet to recieve any response whatsover to any email I have ever sent to the eBay administration. I honestly wonder if they even read them half of the time.
I have just talked to someone at the Rodgers & Hammerstein estate and they were very much aware of the situation, (so yay i wasn’t the first to let them know), and the case was currently under investigation. Not much luck getting further details out of them, but at least they are aware of the issue and are looking into it.
I also was contacted by a reporter at the local newspaper in Raleigh interested in the issue for a story. I emailed back my point of view. We’ll see…
Looks like eBay pulled the auction; your link doesn’t work anymore. See, that’s what I was saying - eBay doesn’t do squat until the shit starts hitting the fan, then they’re all action all of a sudden.:rolleyes:
(On the other hand, I guess I could give them the benefit of the doubt - maybe they just took time to investigate.)