Query about copyright laws (community radio)

[supersop60]

There's a pop-up community radio station just about to start in our area. I volunteered to read extracts from books by local authors (all dead) in a 'book at bedtime' style. Now the issue of copyright has been brought up and I can't find anything on t'net that relates specifically to this situation.
Are we breaching copyright laws if I spend 10 mins reading a few extracts? Who do I contact to find out?

[Quoteunquote]

www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law
onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/okbooks.html
www.gov.uk/copyright/overview

I would of thought most publishers would want interest created in a title, especially if you are only reading a little bit, it may well create sales.

[supersop60]

You would think so. If we want this radio project to continue, we have to make sure everything is legit and above board. Thanks for the suggestions!

[ShootTheMoon]

I don't work with UK copyright law but my recommendation would be to check the books for the copyright holder, which will usually be the author or the publisher.

If the author is deceased, their interest in copyright goes to their estate/heirs and applies until 70 years after their death.

You can make a 'good faith effort' by writing to the presumed copyright holder at least three times with several weeks in between effort to ask for permission.

You may not be charged for a 10 minute extract for local radio but you should certainly make an attempt to acquire formal permission for the use.

(I am not legally trained, but work routinely with international copyright,)

[OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias]

I'm a writer, and as far as I know, it's fine to quote short extracts for the purposes of discussion / review / criticism without seeking (or needing) permission. So it sounds to me as if you'd be fine.

However, if anyone with proper legal knowledge disagrees with me then do take their opinion rather than mine!

[ShootTheMoon]

Outrageous, the fair use argument can be brought in for academic discussion/review/analysi but to my understanding not for commercial gain. Epigraphs, for example, are generally not considered fair use.

So, while quoting extracts from a book as part of a wider debate would usually be fine, just reading extracts from the book would not.

[Quoteunquote]

Mariella Frostrup must be on MN some where, if open book can there must be a way .

[aginghippy]

What ShootTheMoon said.

You need to write to the publishers and request permission. Emphasise that it's a not-for-profit venture. Also say what will happen to the recordings after the transmission. Would they be available online anywhere? How long for?

IME with a somewhat similar project they usually give permission, except if they have other plans to record the material.