Q: Is what I'm being requested to do legal? And, do I currently have the legal right/rights qualifying me to proceed?
I was asked by someone to make a number of hard(CD)copies of music for them. This request requires me to "rip" the content(given to me in CD format) on a computer and then burn the music onto the requested number of CDs( also provided to me). The requester(the commissioner) has told me that the music content I'm to be copying is their intellectual property(IP). The requester has also told me It is fine with them that I proceed to execute all actions stated prior to make the copies. Additionally, I was offered compensation(money) should I complete the request as well. I inquired if there was any kind of form to sign to legalize and record my actions, and to know my restrictions. The answer I believe I was given was that "it was not necessary"(not exact words). I am not a professional and I do not have a job in the field of music publication, or distribution. Nor do I have a license(if there is one) for doing these actions while meeting any standards.
A: You may be at risk of committing copyright infringement if the person commissioning the project does not have the appropriate rights. If the commissioner does own the copyright to the content on the CDs, he should be willing to cover any loss you may incur from copying the content (indemnify you). An intellectual property attorney can prepare a contract to protect you from copyright infringement.
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