Re: Re: Re: Theatre--Directors vs. Playwrights

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Theatre--Directors vs. Playwrights

Comments:
: : : : Thank you for your answer. I knew the U.S. subscribed to the : : Berne Convention, but (learning process in action) I didn't : : know that a country could pick and choose parts of that : : Convention. Curious that the Berne has those strictures : : and the U.S. didn't accept them. I suppose there's a good : : reason in there somewhere. : : You suggested my research could start with Le Droit : : d'Autor. My search engine didn't find that. Could : : you kindly give me leads where to locate that? : : Again, please know I appreciate your help! : : : : : : How marvelous it is that you answer questions! : : : : Some modern theatrical directors are "deconstructionists"-- : : : : which means they freely change the playwright's script, : : : : perhaps changing the order of scenes or changing the : : : : locales/settings described in authors' stage directions. : : : : The directors argue that is their "right" as creative artists. : : : : Also prevalent in theatre are "gender reversals," when : : : : directors change the gender the playwright assigned. The : : : : directors argue these shifts are important for social : : : : reasons. : : : : Finally, in certain educational institutions, directors : : : : make radical cuts in full-length plays, reducing them : : : : from 2 1/2 hours playing time to perhaps 20 minutes. : : : : Although these are done as part of class work, they are : : : : given public performances. : : : : : : : : Assume in these instances the playwright's work is : : : : properly copyrighted. : : : : Are such directors violating copyright law? : : : : At what point does "artistic interpretation" stop : : : : and "violation" begin? : : : : Can you cite precedents to support your answer? Can you : : : : direct me to authoritative sources on these points? : : : : I'm deeply appreciative for all help you can offer! : : : The unresearched answer is that under the Berne Convention this cannot be done. The US now subscribes to the Berne Convention but not to the extent to prevent the changes you refer to. : : : If you want to research it, start with Le Droit d'Autor, or something like that. : : : M. Arthur Auslander : : : Auslander & Thomas-Intellectual Property Law Since 1909 : : : 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 : : : 212-594-6900, fax 212-244-0028, aus@auslander.com : : : ELAINE's Workshop (sm) : : : E arly L egal A dvice I s N ot E xpensive : : : : : : : I cannot afford the time for an intellectual discourse on what happens in the theater or the arts, even though I am sensitive to peoples' needs. : The legal systems of the world are substantially similar in the end product though the use different routes. The US and UK are common law countries. Most of the rest of the world us the Civil Law. : One most also factor in reality. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. : M. Arthur Auslander : Auslander & Thomas-Intellectual Property Law Since 1909 : 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 : 212-594-6900, fax 212-244-0028, aus@auslander.com : ELAINE's Workshop (sm) : E arly L egal A dvice I s N ot E xpensive : :

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