Help me understand royalty music

J

Jay Laville

Well-known member
Hi guys Im making a short film and want to enter it in a film competition, here:

http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/

I want to use a song from Sigur Ros as it fits really well and have been on there website and red the following:

can i use music by sigur rós in my student film?
you can use sigur rós's music as long as it won't be used for commercial purposes. if the film reaches a prominent or internationally recognised film festival, you will have to contact the management because we don't have permission to grant publishing and master rights to films screened at these kinds of large-scale events.

http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/band/faq.php#13

Now am a little confused, sorry iof I sound dumb am dyslexic and having a hard time understanding if entering it in virgin media shorts is in breach of using the music.

I emailed the management team on the 5th of this month but have not heard anything as of yet if I can use it or not, so figured id ask you guys for your opinion on this. :undecided
 
I'd wait to hear from them, the Virgin Media shorts competition could definitely be considered a "prominent film festival". Just make sure you mention to them that the film will not be making any profit or used for commercial purposes.

If in doubt, speak to someone a bit more in the know with law - most solicitors should have an idea, but obviously you'll be wanting to contact a copyright lawyer should they start sending you contractual agreements etc. for the use of the music.
 
thanks for response, okay will wait and see have tried calling management team as they use to be with Fat Cat but they said they are no longer under their label, trying to find their current label is a nightmare
 
I think "internationally recognized" means like sun-dance or similar so you'll probably be ok.

With that said, even the band doesn't have the right to let you use the music in your video, but its very unlikely their record company or publisher who own the rights (or part of them) would come after you. This is why they say its ok. They are far more worried about youtube ect.

Generally, in order collect damages they have to prove that you caused them financial loss. Student films would not fall under that category because its probably not going to make anyone money. If it gets submitted to sun-dance, maybe.
 
Assuming you restated correctly what's on their website, it's likely that they themselves aren't sure whether or to what extent filmmakers can legally use their music.

If they belong to a label, the issue of whether they can allow such use of their music may (but is unlikely to be) in their contract. If it isn't, then even though they say it's permissible, that doesn't mean the label agrees.
 
The film competition link states that all the finalists films, will be shown in cinemas around the UK. Also perhaps on TV, on the Virgin on-demand service, etc.

I'd guess that using the track without paying for licensing is a definate no.
 
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