Korean Choreography Copyright Association: "Choreographers are not mere contractors"

The Korea Choreographic Copyright Association will write a blog post on the topic of "Choreographers are not ‘contractors.’" We will emphasize the importance of choreographers' rights and copyrights, addressing the current situation, problems, and future directions.

A choreographer's creations are not mere contract work. They create original works through their artistic expression, and these works should be protected by copyright. In this post, we will examine the importance of choreography copyright, the position of the Korea Choreographic Copyright Association, and the current status of copyright registration.

The Importance of Choreography Copyright

A choreographer's creations are the result of their identity and artistic value. Therefore, protecting these creations is crucial. Without copyright, choreographers cannot prevent their work from being used or copied without authorization. This can demotivate creative activity and ultimately hinder the development of art.

The Difference Between a Choreographer and Contract Work

Choreographers express themselves artistically through their creations, which differs from simple contract work. Contract work is a task performed according to specific needs, and may not reflect the creator's intentions. On the other hand, choreographers are artists who convey emotions and communicate with the audience through their creations. Recognizing this difference is important.

The Position of the Korea Choreographic Copyright Association

The Korea Choreographic Copyright Association is making various efforts to protect the rights of choreographers. They support choreographers in registering their works for copyright and provide education and information on copyright. These efforts play a vital role in helping choreographers recognize and protect their rights.

Status of Choreography Copyright Registration

According to recent statistics, a total of 186 choreography copyrights were registered from 2019 to 2023. However, choreographers account for only 0.07% of the total registered works. This means that choreographers are not receiving adequate protection for their rights.

Choreographers' Rights

Choreographers must register their works for copyright. Copyright registration is an important legal procedure to assert their rights. Registration allows choreographers to prevent their work from being used without authorization and to receive legal protection. However, many choreographers do not realize the need for copyright registration.

Laws Related to Choreography Copyright

Current Korean copyright law includes various provisions to protect the rights of choreographers. However, there are still controversies regarding the interpretation and application of the law. A recent court ruling determined that even movements lasting about two seconds can be protected by copyright. This could be a positive sign for choreographers.

Protecting Choreographers' Rights

To protect their rights, choreographers need education and information about copyright. The Korea Choreographic Copyright Association operates various programs to provide this information and is working to make it easily accessible to choreographers. A platform where choreographers can share their experiences is also necessary.

Choreographers' Creative Environment

Choreographers work in various environments for their creative activities. Recently, many choreographers are creating new works through collaborations. However, even in these environments, they still face difficulties due to a lack of awareness of copyright and contract issues.

Survey on Choreography Copyright

According to a survey conducted by the Korea Choreographic Copyright Association, 47.8% of respondents reported difficulties in drafting contracts, and 97.8% responded that they lacked awareness of copyright registration. Furthermore, 64.1% feel that their understanding of copyright is low. These results show that choreographers need information and support on copyright.

The Future of Choreography Copyright

The future of choreography copyright is bright. If choreographers continue their efforts to recognize and protect their rights, Korea's dance culture will flourish. Furthermore, increased awareness of copyright will allow more choreographers to protect their work.

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Choreographers' rights are not simply legal protection; they are an important factor in supporting and encouraging their creative activities. Continued attention and support are needed to ensure that choreographers can protect their rights in the future.