Music - Copyright

[andy_winton]

have a look at www.mcps.co.uk these are
the people you want to contact. They are
associated with PRS.

[Esparto]

hmm, there seems to be an overwhelming "who gives a ****" about copyright, i must say, i quite agree.

i mean if a studio wants to buy and distribute your film, let them pay for the music rights [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[beuford]

i don't think its that simple. i read somewhere about someone trying to get sell their movie, and running into trouble because they didn't own the world-wide rights to use the music (only the domestic rights)... so if you don't have any rights at all, i reckon selling the thing will be very difficult.

but, i also read that once a composer has been dead for 75 years (maybe it's 100, you'll have to check that) the music enters the public domain (same with movie rights to books) so you could record some old classical stuff, and use that, no problem.

Beuford C Constantinople

[Nigel]

I can't remember how the copyrights work in the UK....But, I wouldn't risk it. You can be taken to the cleaners over the smallest of things.

Good Luck

[jack jutson]

does age have anything to do with it? Like if you're under 18 or something?

Also, when you say broadcasted, would that include a film festival?

And, if it's stictly non-profit, does that change it at all?

[Nigel]

Film festivals are not exempt--Nor if you are under 18 as far as I know.

Broadcasting/screening your film is what might get you caught but it may still be illegal just to include. Copyrights are very confusing and very difficult to understand. Either way I would just secure some royalty free music or have someone score the film for you with original work.

Good Luck

PS--I don't know how extensive the copyright is but it is illegal to have people in your film sign "Happy Birthday" that is owned by Warner-Chapell Publishing.

[DPlatt007]

Hi to everyone.

I suggest having a look at the website of the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers, they can provide licenses ot cover copyright clearance, which includes music. The web address is WWW. theiac.org.uk

Hope this helps
David A Platt
Progress Film Productions

[steven_craig]

hey someone said you can be taken to the cleaners if you use copyrighted music - the way round that is if you are serious about it register your film as limited company then you cant personally be screwd but your film can - and if your like me, then the film wont have much money and thus they can only sue you for what its worth... but seroiusly a distrubution company will not touch your movie with a ten foot barge pole if your music is not cleared

do what i do - put full credits at the end and make sure you say that its a not for profit venture... if its going to a small cafe fest. dont bother with clearence - if its some independent label then they probably wont have enough money to sue anyway

[GREATwarEAGLE]

IFILM.COM!!! Go to "submitting your film."

[Alex]

Is your film for fun? If it's for fun, do what you want.

If you plan on entering it in a contest, selling it, broadcasting it, then use a combination of music library music, which can be bought out real cheap, and use original music.

Some contests may not care if there is copyrighted music.

I think that would make an interesting topic, anybody gotten flack from a contest for having copyrighted music?