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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video

X-ADP
Imported Account

May 2, 2004, 9:56 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1335 views)
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Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video	Can't Post

I know I m gonna take some heat for asking this but I m in the process of editing a
promotional video for UMass. Its for a sicence dept and theirs alot of compositing
and graphics of science related info that without any form of music just wont cut it.
We all know that copyrighted music generally sounds much better than royalty free.
So basically I found some cool music from the Blue Man Broup I wanted to use. The
video is going to be distributed to other universities and students. Am I setting
myself up for a lawsuit by using the music? Its common practice for wedding
videography but for distibution of over a hundred copies I m not so sure.
Thanks.

X-Hal
Imported Account

May 2, 2004, 10:06 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1334 views)
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Re: Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video	Can't Post

It's a good question. I've been there. I know the feeling. Time for an
honest talk wtih your client during an edit session where you can
show him or her the difference and explain the risks. Chances are your
client will say no way. UMass certainly has attorneys. Will this thing
ever appear on TV? In any way? Those are some of the questions you'll
want to consider. On the bright side, there's some really great buy-out
music and if you spend the time working with it you can make it work well.
Let us know how this turns out. Good luck.
Hal

: I know I m gonna take some heat for asking this but I m in the process of editing a
: promotional video for UMass. Its for a sicence dept and theirs alot of compositing
: and graphics of science related info that without any form of music just wont cut it.
: We all know that copyrighted music generally sounds much better than royalty free.
: So basically I found some cool music from the Blue Man Broup I wanted to use. The
: video is going to be distributed to other universities and students. Am I setting
: myself up for a lawsuit by using the music? Its common practice for wedding
: videography but for distibution of over a hundred copies I m not so sure.
: Thanks.

X-ADP
Imported Account

May 2, 2004, 10:17 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1334 views)
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Re: Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks hal. My client said she dont care - but I do ! lol. Anyways, I ve heard you can
buy a music license . What are the rates for these ? The video will not be on tv. Only
dvd replication. Its for prospective students. The most of which use p2p
programing. lol.
Thanks

It's a good question. I've been there. I know the feeling. Time for an
: honest talk wtih your client during an edit session where you can
: show him or her the difference and explain the risks. Chances are your
: client will say no way. UMass certainly has attorneys. Will this thing
: ever appear on TV? In any way? Those are some of the questions you'll
: want to consider. On the bright side, there's some really great buy-out
: music and if you spend the time working with it you can make it work well.
: Let us know how this turns out. Good luck.
: Hal
:
: : I know I m gonna take some heat for asking this but I m in the process of editing a
: : promotional video for UMass. Its for a sicence dept and theirs alot of compositing
: : and graphics of science related info that without any form of music just wont cut it.
: : We all know that copyrighted music generally sounds much better than royalty free.
: : So basically I found some cool music from the Blue Man Broup I wanted to use. The
: : video is going to be distributed to other universities and students. Am I setting
: : myself up for a lawsuit by using the music? Its common practice for wedding
: : videography but for distibution of over a hundred copies I m not so sure.
: : Thanks.

X-jim_colman
Imported Account

May 3, 2004, 12:39 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1334 views)
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Re: Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Thanks hal. My client said she dont care - but I do ! lol. Anyways, I ve heard you can
: buy a music license . What are the rates for these ? The video will not be on tv. Only
: dvd replication. Its for prospective students. The most of which use p2p
: programing. lol.
: Thanks
Music licenses vary depending on the artist and publisher. I recently used a song by a Swedish band in a video I produced for a client. The license costs $2500 for a one year, non broadcast use.
Jim

X-Mister_E
Imported Account

May 3, 2004, 3:16 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1334 views)
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Re: Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video [In reply to]	Can't Post

For all intesive purposes, that would be classified as an illegal use according to all of the known music producers who are currently registered members of the RIAA. They do offer cheap licenses for limited distribution, but you will get sued, especially since you're tied in the UMass if you decide to use a tune that someone recognizes. If the power of the tune carries the piece, you might want to hire local artists to record a variant of the song in question. It's not perfect, but it won't cost you $1 million smackers if you get reported either.
Mario

X-Doug_Graham
Imported Account

May 12, 2004, 12:34 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1334 views)
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Re: Risks of copyrighted music in a promo video [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, it's illegal, and yes, you are setting yourself and the university up for a lawsuit if you use the music without permission.
You could try contacting the Harry Fox Agency. http://www.harryfox.com
You'll need both a mechanical license (to duplicate the song) and a synchronization license (to add it to your video). You'll have to go directly to the publisher for the sync license, HFA doesn't do them any more.
Regards,
Doug Graham