Obtaining music rights?

[Keith_Lake]

I have been approached to produce a series of podcasts for a corporate client. I have a "pilot" episode already produced to give them an idea of how it will sound.

How does one obtain the rights to use short excerpts of currently-popular music as
segment bumpers and incidental music, much the way some talk shows use them? It's
important that the production be entirely legal and above-board and cool with BMI and ASCAP.

This is my first time in dealing with something on this level. Any input appreciated.

KL

<P ID="signature">______________
<a href="http://home.nc.rr.com/gttyson/lastradio.html">The Last Radio Station<a></P>

 

[bigwoody]

> I have been approached to produce a series of podcasts for a
> corporate client. I have a "pilot" episode already produced
> to give them an idea of how it will sound.
>
> How does one obtain the rights to use short excerpts of
> currently-popular music as
> segment bumpers and incidental music, much the way some talk
> shows use them? It's
> important that the production be entirely legal and
> above-board and cool with BMI and ASCAP.
>
> This is my first time in dealing with something on this
> level. Any input appreciated.
>
> KL
>


Contact BMI and ASCAP and let them know the usage. Most likely you'll need a blanket license based on the number of quarter hour usage. At least that's how it's done for standard music stations. Not sure how they would charge for podcasts.

 

[upndownthedial]

> > How does one obtain the rights to use short excerpts of
> > currently-popular music as
> > segment bumpers and incidental music, much the way some
> talk
> > shows use them? It's
> > important that the production be entirely legal and
> > above-board and cool with BMI and ASCAP.

You could also try working with a third party. I've had success in the past with themusicbridge.com

 

[jefflaurence]

I think podcasts are licensed the same as internet streaming..for now. Eventually they will want to be paid per download (what a mess) I spoke with BMI in Nashville, and they say that "usage is usage" and the songs were NOT performed and recorded for use as a vehicle for selling products or services, OR for endorsing political or religous agendas.

That said, the biggest hurdle you'll face is not licensing the music..but obtaining permission from the performer and composer to use thier work as part of a "show" or "commercial"

Example..Neil Boortz has exclusive permission to use the bed from Huey Lewis' "Heart of rock and Roll" That costs him a bundle over and above just licensing the station(s) to play the music track

Example..when you hear "Bang a Gong" as used in a recent JC penny TV spot..they paid a TRUCK load to use that in addition to the mere licensing of music.

It becomes a protection thing to ensure that a product, service or belief is not furthered by use of an artists work..without the permisssion of the artists..and that permission has a price tag...

 

[Keith_Lake]

Okay, so what if I just fire up Fruity Loops and my MIDI rig and create my own?

KL<P ID="signature">______________
<a href="http://home.nc.rr.com/gttyson/lastradio.html">The Last Radio Station<a></P>

 

[dualux]

> Okay, so what if I just fire up Fruity Loops and my MIDI rig
> and create my own?
>
> KL
>

There's a pretty good explanation of the current podcast/music rights issues right here:

http://www.collegebroadcasters.org/podcast.shtml

 

[jimron]

also... make sure you specify you would like the original master recording rights. otherwise you'd have to have the music recreated by a different artist

 

[MarkLaRoi]

Maybe buying or leasing a good music library would be better for you now and in the long run. Then you could make using commercial music a special occasion type thing, while being able to build your reputation among clients more quickly because you have a library and don't need to spend the time dealing with liscensing as often.