Mission: Copyright

  Feeling like starting a radio club at your university? Maybe even a channel for broadcasting stuff you like? Here's what you need to know: There are several things you need to keep in mind before turning your microphone, livestream, or for analogue enthusiasts (if you still exist out there) because once you put any kind of transmission out on air and publicly accessible by anyone with the means to do it, there are things out there that you put out that are legally protected under the Malaysian Copyright Law. Alright so... What counts as broadcasting? Transmitting tangible media like audio and video content, either wirelessly or wired that can reach the public counts as broadcast. So if you in any way, put out content that is live, it does in fact make you a broadcaster and can be protected by copyright law. Permissions and ownership; what you can't do Whichever content you choose to broadcast will also always have copyright laws applied to it, be it yours or someone else'...

  Background:  On February 8th 2021, the director of a company based in I-City, Shah Alam, became the first to be charged under the Copyright Act 1987 because they were promoting a special kind of software that have the ability to bypass the technological protection system that is set on copyrighted broadcast works. The Android TV box branded as  'Long TV' contained copyrighted content intended for unauthorized broadcasting in which the company had acquired in their store. The company was later accused of attempting to sell the brand and the Android TV was then confiscated. Legal Frameworks & Potential Penalties: It is said that the case violated Section 41 (1) (ha) of the Copyright Act 1987 in which it criminalizes the selling or distribution of technology or devices designed to break through the technological protection measures of copyrighted works. The company could be fined no less than RM 4,000 and not more than RM 40,000 in accordance for each device throu...

  "Who Owns the Sound?" Understanding Music Copyright in Malaysia (Part 2) Types of Music License When using music in various settings, it's crucial to obtain the appropriate licenses to ensure legal compliance and fair compensation to rights holders. Public Performance License: Required when music is played in public spaces such as restaurants, malls, or events. Synchronization (Sync) License: Needed when music is used in conjunction with visual media, like films, advertisements, or online videos. Mechanical License: Allows for the reproduction of music, such as in CDs or digital downloads. Master License: Grants rights to use a specific recording of a song, often used alongside a sync license. Print Rights License: Covers the reproduction of sheet music. Grand Rights License: Pertains to the performance of musical works within theatrical productions. How to get Music Licensing in Malaysia Identify the Appropriate License: Determine the type of license needed based on ho...

 🎮    Streaming Video Games: Navigating Copyright Challenges The practice of streaming video games on channels like Twitch and YouTube is growing by leaps and bounds today. But, the trend comes with legal trouble due to the copyright issues that the streamers need to cope with heads up and be really careful and alert about. 🎵 The Music Dilemma One of the biggest challenges is what music is being played in the game. Lots of games use music under a license, and streaming music without the right permits can be a cause for the owner to bring a lawsuit. As an example, even though YouTube is under license agreements with several record companies, the same track when used on a channel like Twitch or in the background of a video may lift a DMCA takedown or trigger a copyright infringement claim. 🎮 Game Content and Fair Use In addition to the music issue, there is the legal aspect of the gameplay streaming. Publishers and developers may allow or be in favor of game streaming, b...

🎉 10 Fun Facts About Copyright Law in Malaysia Copyright law doesn’t have to be boring! Whether you’re a content creator, student, business owner, or just curious, these fun facts about Malaysian copyright law will surprise you. 1. No Registration Needed — Copyright Is Automatic In Malaysia, you don’t need to register your work to enjoy copyright protection. The moment you create something original — like a blog post, photo, song, or design — it’s automatically protected by copyright. 🔗 Source 2. Freedom of Panorama Exists You can legally photograph buildings and public art (like murals or statues) and use those photos without infringing copyright — as long as they’re permanently placed in a public space . 🔗 Source 3. Joint Authorship Is Protected If two or more people create a work together , and their contributions can't be separated, they are considered joint authors — and share copyright equally. 🔗 Source 4. Cultural Expressions Are Covered Too Malaysia ...

  📸 When a Newspaper Uses Your Photo Without Permission Did you know that even a single photo you take can be protected by copyright? If someone uses it without your greenlight, you have the right to take action. Let’s talk about Dato’ Mohd Radzi Abdul Razak v Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd (2013).  This particular case made it clear that freelance photographers also have rights. What Happened? Dato’ Mohd Radzi was a freelance photographer. One day, he found out that Utusan Melayu , a well-known newspaper in Malaysia, had published his photographs without asking for permission and without giving him any credit. He didn’t sell the photos to them, nor did he give them permission to use the images. Yet, the photos appeared in the paper as if they owned them. So, what did he do? He brought the matter to court. Why It Matters A lot of people think that only big companies or famous artists can use copyright law. But actually, anyone who creates original work, like photos, drawings, ...