music rights

[piratze]

Sorry - i'm sure this had been asked + answered a million times already.

What r the legal implications of using a commercially released song in your film ( Blur in my case)? The film is going to be shown at festivals and the such and I certainly don't have enough money to buy the rights for it. Can I get in trouble? What's the general agreement on such things?

Thanks

[eddie]

check out the IAC (Institute for Amateur Cinematographers) they are on the web, you could try a search. And Join it. You can then get a licence for exactly what you propose which wont cost you anything.
To show a film with copyrite sound without getting it cleared is illegal and you could get sued. Though for how much? Especially a high profile band like blur.
Most festivals wont accept entries that arent cleared anyway.
Join the IAC and avoid that hassle.

[Ruthie]

You can get in alot of trouble for using music without permission. Contact Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) in New York...(212) 659-9109

[shirt]

Has anyone actually heard of an amay getting sued for using copyrighted music... everyone here sorta thinks too big. You are not making big budget movies... you will not make money, therefore what are the music companies going to sue you for? Your camera. They have bigger fish to fry. Think logically, not legally.

Film Fests will take some copyright stuff... just the big ones won't... also look at it this way...
why not go on MP3.com... find some okay band, and use their music. They will be more than happy to let you and MP3.com has some wicked music available on it.

[This message has been edited by shirt (edited November 14, 2000).]

[owner]

Hiya,

Ok, i have been in the same problem with using copyright music, and the real answer (as mentioned above) is to join the IAC.

it costs next to nothin to join (depending on your age, but for me its somthing like 6 quid a year).

The liscence itself covers all use for amatuer purposes, and only costs about 7 quid.

The other reason for joining them, is if your vaigly interested in making films, they will point you in the right direction.

all their info is on their site: www.theiac.org.uk

OK, I kindof just got a shock checking that link, as that blokey on the front page is me!!

Hope that helps.

Jason http://www.dainter.com/infocus
(another great resource for filmmakers)

[LAmind]

So if you join the IAC you can take any artist's/band's songs and put them in your films for free? That seems to good to be true. How exactly does this work.

Someone explain this in more detail please.

-Ivan

------------------
"A place for everything and everything in it's place".

[Ruthie]

I work for a production company called Canzion Producciones. We make music, videos...The chances of someone actually sueing you for using their music are not that great, but don't be foolish. The artist are trying to protect their music, just like you're protecting your work. If you do get caught I guarantee your screwed. It doesn't take that much work to be safe. Also, you can get legal advice...1-800-366-2665

I haven't heard of the IAC and their website doesn't answer the questions about copyright. What exactly do they do?

[marti-c]

Jason

This is an interesting subject that maybe you could tell all on the forum in simple plain english about. I visited the iac site and its a quite a bit to wade through. The licences sound quite straight forward enough but do these cover every piece of music ever published, or is there a list of approved artists.

I am a member of a workshop up here in Glasgow called G-mac ( Glasgow media access centre) and i will ask if a similar scheme exist elsewhere and what the run down on it is.

marti

[Littlerich]

Do you know of any local unsigned bands in your area?

If you do, why not ask them if you can use soome of their music?

I worked in a TV station, and they got a local, unsigned band to make the theme tune for a TV show for free!
They didn't even get paid any royalties!

If you know of a band, then ask! They will probably be happy to help, won't want any money (just a credit) and won't try to Sue you!


------------------
KEEP FOCUSED!
Little Rich.
http://go.to/littlerich
www.rmsgraffix.freeserve.co.uk
[email protected]