Music Rights

[whitetiger]

Hey all,

Its been a very long time since i have posted anything on here so I will start by saying "hey! I am still here!".... I have a very important question. I have been writing a screen play for the past year that has really become something special to me. I plan on shooting soon and although I was going to give it its own original score there is one commercial song I feel is so fitting for the story that I must find out how to buy the rights to use it. Its "Panic Switch" by Silversun Pickups. I figure it could be costly but if someone at least knew how to go about doing this I would much appreciate the info!!! - Thanks

[manvsbear]

Find out what recording company produced the album and give them a call, tell them what your doing and ask about license fees.  It's really that simple.

[Poot Bort]

ASCAP has some useful info on the subject.

Click Here

Expect to shell out serious dough for the song, though.

[secrecyguy]

I think if you only play 15 or 30 seconds of the music, than you don't have to pay anything.

[manvsbear]

I think if you only play 15 or 30 seconds of the music, than you don't have to pay anything.

No.

Don't give people advice that could lead to them being sued.

[ShadowSky]

What did Hank do about music licensing in RotGB?

Unless you're not making a non-profit fan film...

[Bojac]

Fan films get around music licensing...sort of.
To the best of my knowledge, fan films are technically illegal. So you might as well continue to break copyright laws and throw in music you want to use.

I want to know who keeps spreading the 15 second limit thing.

[weiss]

It's not really "illegal", it's a civil matter. What it boils down to is if the complainant can demonstrate that reasonable damage has been done by either:

a) profiting from someones previous copyrighted work.

b) damaging the profitability of the work for the copyright owner.

The first one is way easier to prove. Most cases settle, if they even get beyond a cease and desist.

In some cases the complainant  actually files suit against someone who has inadvertently improved the profitability of the property.

You only ever hear about the most egregious of cases.

I guess the point is, if you're making a fan film with no intention of selling, exhibiting for profit, or distributing. I really wouldn't worry about it. That being said, if you do receive a cease and desist letter, honor it. Consider it a warning before a cadre of Mr. Burnesque type lawyers scurry out of the woodwork to carve up your vitals.

Weiss