Music Copyright Issues

[The Cavity]

I know it costs thousands to use a famous song in your film, but how much does it cost to use a cover by a band of your own devising? I've heard it costs about a nickel or so. True or not?

'cuz Perry Como's "Magic Moments" could really be a blessing to the rape scene in my new film.

[Vlad the Impaler]

http://www.twolouiesmagazine.com/july_04_legal3.html

Just had a quick search and came up with this site.

Basically... if you were just recording the song then it is possible to get automatic permission to re-record it.

However if you are using it to broadcast with images, then you need the publishers permission and the fees are negotiable... also I doubt the publishers would allow that song to be associated with a rape scene?


This is just what I've gathered from 5 minutes of searching, keep us updated with what you find because I'm interested in this myself!

[The Cavity]

also I doubt the publishers would allow that song to be associated with a rape scene?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That was a joke.

[Tard]

You really should ask Rocketmaster personally, this is his whole job.

I dunno about Vlad saying you need "publishers permission" when you're the one covering & recording the song. Red-tape run amok.

[Vlad the Impaler]

Originally posted by The Cavity:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">also I doubt the publishers would allow that song to be associated with a rape scene?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That was a joke.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">OK. You realise how hard it is to take things as a joke through text on a forum?!


Any hows, if you are putting the music to images then you more than likely need the publishers/owner of the song's permission just incase you represent the song out of contest. E.G The "Magic Moments" over a rape scene!

If you are just recording the song without images then you can get automatic permission but because with images you can turn the meaning of the song totally around which is why this is not the case.

[writie]

In general, people recommend getting someone to record an original tune wherever possible. Although tracks do get cleared by publishers, they can make life very difficult by dragging out the process indefinitely or asking for steep fees. Remember, that a short or unreleased indie film represents zero income for them, and a lot of work doing the paperwork. So the filmmaker is in a seller's market.

By commissioning a new track, the filmmaker has far more control overall.