music license - how long a term needed?

L

Lkorver

Well-known member
Hi there,

first time negotiating music rights. Dealing with the publishing + master rights holders now and not sure how long of a term to ask for. We are currently only in need of festival use so were asking 2 years on that. But we'd like to aslo get a quote for film/tv/web use in the event we find a distributor for the film, but I have no idea how long of a term to negoitate for.

The song is to be used in a short documentary hitting a few festivals in 2010-2011 and we are putting the short doc along with a few other shot docs together and weaving them into a feature length piece.

any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks again,
Luke
 
Lkorver said:
Hi there,

first time negotiating music rights. Dealing with the publishing + master rights holders now and not sure how long of a term to ask for. We are currently only in need of festival use so were asking 2 years on that. But we'd like to aslo get a quote for film/tv/web use in the event we find a distributor for the film, but I have no idea how long of a term to negoitate for.

The song is to be used in a short documentary hitting a few festivals in 2010-2011 and we are putting the short doc along with a few other shot docs together and weaving them into a feature length piece.

any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks again,
Luke
Click to expand...

It really boils down to what you feel is the effective lifespan of your film. Rights down the road can be iffy - there's a lot of classical TV from the 60's and 70's that people would love to get on DVD where the distrbutor can't get current licenses for the music, so the shows languish in the vaults.
 
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I personally wouldn't box myself in using music that is 1) expensive, or 2) has a lot of limitations. There is a lot of good music available that can be licensed perpetually and inexpensively or free. One such place is Audio Network Place based out of London and New York. I buy a $400 "Blanket License" from them and can use as much music fromm their library as I need with no limitations on amount. The license is for the life of the project. Great people, great music.

I know that doesn't answer your question exactly... but I would try to get a perpetual license agreement.
 
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