Legal Definitions - audiovisual work

An audiovisual work refers to a creative work that consists of a series of related images which are intended to be shown by a machine or device, along with accompanying sounds, if any. These images are designed to be viewed sequentially, creating the impression of motion or a narrative.

• Example 1: A Documentary Film

  Imagine a documentary about the history of space exploration. This film features historical footage of rocket launches, interviews with astronauts, computer-generated animations of celestial bodies, and a narrator's voice-over, all synchronized to tell a coherent story. This is an audiovisual work because it combines a sequence of moving images (footage, animations) with accompanying sounds (interviews, narration, music, sound effects) that are intended to be displayed together by a projector or screen.

• Example 2: An Interactive Online Course Module

  Consider an online module designed to teach a new software skill. It includes video demonstrations of how to use the software, animated diagrams explaining complex concepts, and a voice-over guiding the learner through each step. There might also be interactive elements where the user clicks to advance or reveal more information. This module qualifies as an audiovisual work because it presents a series of related images (video, animations) intended for machine display, along with synchronized audio (voice-over, sound effects), to convey information in a structured, sequential manner.

• Example 3: A Security Surveillance Recording

  A recording from a security camera at a retail store captures footage of customers entering and exiting, along with ambient sounds from the store floor. This recording, even if unedited and purely for monitoring purposes, is an audiovisual work. It consists of a continuous series of images (the video feed) intended for display on a monitor, accompanied by synchronized sound (the audio captured by the camera), all fixed in a tangible medium (the recording file).