Music rights
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4830
Printed Date: 5/04/24 at 7:17am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Music rights
Posted By: leoknite
Subject: Music rights
Date Posted: 10/07/10 at 4:34am
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I like incorporation of music into theatre and I wanted to use a few songs.
It is a small show but it is in the community so now I have to think about copy rights, right? The music is not public domain, some are from current while some are from the past. We intended to use the music to enhance the moments. Also some people are talking about using music for silent scenes, to do a show of silent scenes using music. (It seemed like a nifty idea) The thing that concerns me if how do you go about getting the rights for something like that. I am clearly not a dance company, so I have 0 clue. ------------- If I was a resonable person, I would have chosen the life of a politician or a chemist, but I not reasonable so I'm a theatre major. |
Replies:
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/07/10 at 5:06am
Have a 'ganda at;- http://www.aact.org/making/rights/index.html - http://www.aact.org/making/rights/index.html
Which goes a long way in making you a full bottler on rights & ASCAP fees 
Which can be a mine field
 Also there is a few topics here in this forum about the subject. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: TZine
Date Posted: 10/07/10 at 10:15am
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You can get blanket licenses from ASCAP and BMI (the two major music licensing operations), which aren't terribly expensive. Especially if you're clear about usage. Depending on what music you want to use, you might only need one. Many, many theatres, bars, arts groups, and other organizations use music without any kind of license, and they get by. It's certainly the right thing for you to do to seek out the legal course of action. ------------- TheatreZine:Theatre news for busy people. A free triweekly e-mail newsletter with the latest, most important theatre news. Subscribe. Stay in the loop. http://theatrezine. |
Posted By: leoknite
Date Posted: 10/07/10 at 3:02pm
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Well I don't technically have a company, I am not registered as a business or an NPO. We are a just a group of people that want to do a show.
Most of the licenses are given to businesses. So I'm confused :(. ------------- If I was a resonable person, I would have chosen the life of a politician or a chemist, but I not reasonable so I'm a theatre major. |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 10/07/10 at 7:38pm
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Just check with the venue your putting the show on & see if they are covered, as most halls for hire are. ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: museav
Date Posted: 12/06/10 at 1:57pm
Many venues secure Public Performance or Blanket rights from ASCAP, BMI and SESAC in order to protect themselves, but those rights do not cover the use of music in dramatic works. Dramatic or Grand rights related to the use of music in theatrical presentations usually have to be negotiated directly with the composer, publisher or their representatives.
Also keep in mind that whether they are the rights holder or not, the venue is not necessarily the only party that may be held responsible for any rights infringements. It's usually simpler for he rights holders to deal with the venues and they often have deeper pockets if infringement becomes an issue, but legally all parties involved in a performance are potentially liable. And nothing would stop the venue from suing a user should the user's actions cause the venue to incur damages.
Speaking of which, you might want to research forming a company as I would think that without it all of the organizers are assuming personal liability for anything that may happen, from debts to personal injury suits. It sounds like talking to a qualified attorney might be a good investment. ------------- Brad W. |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 12/07/10 at 12:30pm
I've been looking into this as well. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but what I've read is that you need Grand rights if the music is being used to any way contribute to the story. If you're just using it between scenes or as pre-show music you are covered by the venue's blanket rights. |