MUSIC licensing, getting sued.

[pest22o]

I'm making a film and I want to use some songs from other films it's nothing I intend on selling or distributing. sort of just wanna post it on youtube for fun can I get in trouble for that? In no way is this for profit it's just some stupid movie about a cardboard box that come sto life and starts killing off the eccentric employees of a hollywood video store. Can I get sued even though I'm just doing it for fun?

[n8ture]

If you're worried about it why do it? If it's for fun, why not use some royalty free music?

That's like saying it's ok to steal a Ferrari because you just wanted to drive it for the fun of it. Wasn't going to sell it or anything, just wanted to feel what 140mph felt like. So that would be ok too?

[pest22o]

but it would fit so right. do you really think it's like stealing?

[Jeff Anderson]

its not like stealing at all - it IS stealing. you dont have the rights for internet distribution, yet you intend to distribute the song on the internet. Those are stolen rights. Your film also benefits from the song (as you said it fits so right). Get the rights if its that good of a fit. There's lots of good royalty free music and lots of indie bands and composers out there too.

[Erik Olson]

I'm still on the fence over the Ferrari. Maybe if you were a valet and the lot was full and you went on a search for remote parking... in the next county.

On the matter of the music. It's stealing - regardless of what your return on the crime is.

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[pest22o]

alright alright. now how do you go about getting rights to music is it hard is it expensive? remember this isnt an independent film or low budget it's just me testing out my camera for the first time.

[Jeff Anderson]

if I remember right, many use Harry Fox to obtain rights. Its not cheap! For testing a camera I wouldnt do it - just get some royalty free music. If the music ruins the piece then perhaps you have some more work to do

[pest22o]

thanks. I m really pissed Edward Shermur's opening track for
K-pax would have been great. who's Harry Fox?

[Jeff Anderson]

http://www.harryfox.com/index.jsp

[pest22o]

thanks for the link, what if they dont have the song I want? where else can you get it from?