The issue of copyright’s role in live speeches and music performances comes with very difficult questions. Obviously, people who write books or compose music have ownership over their respective works. However, a public speech or concert is not so easy to categorize. After all, one could take this to the extremes and say that everything that somebody says is protected by law.

The way I look at it has do with whether or not there was intent for money to be made on the public performance or not. Paid events, such as the Tony Blair and Jane Goodall talks, have a price attached to them. So, it would be unfair to publicly distribute recordings of such performances without permission. Granted, this stance is not heavily enforced, as is seen with the countless phone recordings of concerts that are available online. However, it does set a relatively easier standard to follow.