How can I use Copyrighted Music in my film?

S

superhardrocker

Active member
Hi, I've got lots of videos that have copyrighted music on them. And I also have a copyrighted song that I really want to use for a new film of mine.
I was wondering how I can clear it.
Does anyone here know how to clear the rights to use copyrighted music in a film? Or has anyone ever done it?
 
Go to ascap.com. Great resource. Depending upon your end use, it may not be terribly expensive. For example, if your film is for festivals, most publishers and labels will grant you a 'festival license' which can be as little a $100 depending on the track. There are two licenses required, but you can read all about that at ascap and through the links there.
 
Let's say you want to use a song that's not on ascap.com
Would you contact the record company and ask to purchase a festival license?
 
What's the deal with DRM-free music on Itunes plus? Does it mean we can use those songs freely?
 
ejdge said:
What's the deal with DRM-free music on Itunes plus? Does it mean we can use those songs freely?
Click to expand...

No. Those tracks are still copyrighted. It simply means that the distributor has chosen not to restrict the use of that particular track on audio players. Doing so gives them a broader reach over the music market.
 
no - DRM doesnt have anything to do with copyright (in this regard) - if its got a copyright on it then you need to get the rights to it.
 
The DRM is just a pain in the rear if you want to listen to it on something other than your iPod or computer. However, there are ways to circumvent it, such as http://www.wma-mp3.com/ . I discovered this when I bought REM's End of the World to use on my step daughters wedding video.
 
I have my doubts about it, but thought it would be fun. And that is what you get when you guilt me into doing a wedding video for free ;)
 
Here's a short clip from my step son's wedding. Maybe my wife has been right all along... I really am evil, and not just misunderstood like I thought :Drogar-Happy(DBG):
 
Not to be a PITA, but since we are talking about rights here. Technically you are breaking the law using copyrighted music in the wedding videos unless you got clearances or it's totally personal. In the later case you basically can't show it to anyone. Since it is your own family you are on pretty safe ground but folks who do wedding videos for others this is a big no no, that is often ignored - but sometimes prosecuted.
 
Oh and you may be evil, but I laughed. I have a photo you would like of my nephew as a baby chewing on one of those key hiders that looks like a pile of dog poop. I'm saving it till he has a girlfriend.....
 
Noiz2 said:
Not to be a PITA, but since we are talking about rights here. Technically you are breaking the law using copyrighted music in the wedding videos unless you got clearances or it's totally personal. In the later case you basically can't show it to anyone. Since it is your own family you are on pretty safe ground but folks who do wedding videos for others this is a big no no, that is often ignored - but sometimes prosecuted.
Click to expand...

I have my own issues with music rights, and the pain it is to get the licensing. I am not condoning the act of piracy, nor do I practice it. These are only for personal family, not at all for sale. I also hate doing weddings, so anything I can do to make it fun is all good in my book ;)
 
Just FYI (I dont particularly care what you do), its still a violation of copyright even if you dont sell it or profit from it. Do I do it for family/personal stuff though too? - yep.
 
My point is, I don't make a penny from this. In fact, I actually go into the hole doing these freebie weddings for our kids. I would love to do this the proper way and get the rights, but I will not jump backwards through all the hoops, do a half gainer waiting weeks or longer for the process, then spend a bundle of cash on a short piece of music. Specially considering the artist is lucky to get a few pennies of that cash, when some fat assed exec is making a bundle off of it. Screw the man.

If the process were easier, and actually affordable, and the artist got his fair share, I would more than happily do it, as well as hundreds of other folk who actually do wedding video for their livelihood.
 
Oh yeah I totally agree - I just wanted to make sure you and anyone else reading was aware its still a violation. Like I said it doesnt bother me one bit what you or anyone else doing this stuff for fun and personal use is doing. I say go for it, just dont come knocking on my door if anyone comes to serve you.

On the wedding videos (the ones doing it professionally at least), I'm all up for prosecuting them and forcing the industry to charge more, only in an attempt to weed out the bad videographers and let the good ones charge alot and make a better living. I'd gladly pay 5000 for a good looking professionally produced wedding video. I have a feeling I'm in the minority with my opinion though.
 
Yeah, you are. I feel that they charge too much as it is for a wedding video. I certainly couldn't afford that rate, let alone what they charge now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top