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Subject: Re: [B5JMS] Attn JMS - scripts for visually impaired? (was Re: an update from jms)
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 08:12:02 +0000 (UTC)
From: jmsatb5@aol.com
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated

Thunder, Agent '005 wrote:
> Citizen Vantu wrote:
>
> > If you have enough employees with good speaking voices you could produce the scripts in audio
> > therefore spoken form.
>
> I think this qualifies as a performance and can't be done since Warner
> owns the rights to performances of the script, while Joe owns the actual
> script (at least, that was my understanding. Perhaps somebody like Amy
> would know for sure?)
>

Correct.  There is a qualitative, and *legal* distinction between
reading a prose novel, to which the author and/or publisher has the
performance rights, to essentially performing a script, even if that
performance is by one reader, to which neither the publisher nor the
author holds the performance rights.  I know without question that WB
would take the position that a reading of the scripts would constitute
a performance infringing on their own rights, and sue.  The scripts can
be published under established WGA rules, but that's all.

jms