Charlie Chaplin copyright bill silences charity girl

A 10-year-old girl trying to raise money for a children's hospice by performing a Charlie Chaplin song in a video has been told to remove the lyrics or pay £1,300 to the copyright holder. Bethany Hare, used her own savings, made from playing an extra in Emmerdale, to pay for the film where she performed Smile. She was assisted by her father and received free help from music arranger Phil Steel and charity Sound Sense to film the video.

She put the final production on her JustGiving charity website and asked people to donate money to Martin House Children's Hospice after watching it. It brought in £1,800 for the charity but copyright owner Marco Berrocal, of New York-based Bourne Music Publishers, has emailed her parents demanding money from using the song.



Bethany has now been forced to remove the sound from her video as she has no savings left to pay the fee, much to the anger of those who donated to her site. Helene Lowe wrote: "Disgusting that the copyright holders are not letting you use the song. Well done on a great video!!" And Lucy B commented: "Just saw your story. Watched the (now silent) video and thought it was wonderful so I wanted to give something. Shame on Bourne Music!"

Bethany is still optimistic of raising her target of £5,500 for the hospice. So far more than £2,400 has been pledged. Bourne Music Publishers has been unavailable for comment.

You can see Bethany's video, with no sound, here.