Many program activities include songs and other written materials. It is tempting to duplicate and distribute material from songbooks, library books, or other published documents. As innocent as this may seem, and even though distribution may be limited to one troop or one service unit, this duplication and distribution without written permission from the copyright holder, is very much in violation of federal copyright laws and could subject individuals and our council to possible legal action.

Copyright is the legal right to copy, duplicate, reproduce or otherwise communicate any original work of authorship. Works of authorship, which we as Girl Scouts tend to copy, are songs (both the words and the music are copyrighted), program or activity ideas from copyrighted books, records, and tapes.

Use of Movies

The Federal Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17 of the United States Code, states that all home videocassette exhibitions outside one’s personal residence are “public performances” and mandates they be licensed. Non-compliance can subject those who infringe to statutory damages starting at $750 per exhibition. This legal requirement applies equally to profit and non-profit facilities, whether or not an admission is charged.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio does not have permission to show videos (aside from the Girl Scout videos that we own or receive permission from GSUSA to use). It is expected that all volunteers will comply with this, and all, legal requirements for our organization.