Closed Topics: Rights for musical review

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Rights for musical review

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Topic: Rights for musical review

Posted By: Guests
Subject: Rights for musical review
Date Posted: 3/07/04 at 9:54pm

Our group is looking at doing a review show featuring highlights of past productions. What is necessary, if anything, in getting rights to perform one or two songs from a variety of musicals.

Linda

Replies:

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 3/12/04 at 2:33pm

Normally, for that type of thing, you'd have to pay ASCAP fees. You can get more information by checking out their website. They're not the best with follow-up though, so good luck dealing with them!

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 4/05/04 at 11:45pm

I have done two such revues and I have gotten a blanket contract with ASCAP. After signing the contract, whenever we use songs, we just send the program in with the quarterly form they send us along with the check. We seat 242 and because that is so small, we only have to pay $29 or something. That's a small fee for something that brings in the dough!

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 4/06/04 at 2:39pm

I have checked with ASCAP & BMI. The fee is $150 for a full year. You can do three songs from each production and up to 10 performances. Not a bad deal. They said they would charge more if we made over $50,000. There is no danger of that!

Thanks,

Linda

Posted By: Doug
Date Posted: 4/19/04 at 12:04pm

Look on the AACT web site forum ( http://www.aact.org - www.aact.org ) - there is an thread in the Administration and Management section on Copyright - Musical Review with comments from MTI and AACT that explains things very well.

Posted By: Tallsor
Date Posted: 5/25/04 at 4:11pm

Okay - here's a twist: I've read all that's above about rights for musicals. What if you want to do a 'talent show' of sorts, with scenes from different plays? I was thinking of setting this talent show as a fund-raiser.

I know copyright gives 'fair use', but wasn't sure where the line was drawn with regards to performances....

Angie

Posted By: DanLB
Date Posted: 5/26/04 at 12:35pm

Originally posted by Tallsor

I know copyright gives 'fair use', but wasn't sure where the line was drawn with regards to performances....

Angie

"Fair Use" in copyright law is very narrow and a somewhat grey area. I am not an expert on copyright law but I think doing scenes from a show falls outside of the definition of Fair Use. Some shows are only permitted to be performed in thier entirty. For example I have heard of people trying to bring cuttings of Our Town to a theater festival and where unable to get "cutting rights" for the show, it can only be performed in it's entirety.

Dan