Licensing Music Videos?

[phunklord]

I'm thinking of adding a selection of music videos to my site. I'd like to do it as cleanly and legally as possible, so I don't want to go the Youtube/Myspace route. Two questions for anyone with insight/experience into this:

What are the licensing fees/restrictions surrounding this? Is it a pay-per-view scenario?

Does anyone know of any clearing houses or services that actually license content like this?

Many thanks in advance. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

pl

[orangemike]

Licensing will be handled by one of the three major performing rights societies: ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Here's a relevant article with advice:
http://stevegordonlaw.com/article_elf_0101.htm
and some more advice, originally aimed at churches, but still pretty darned solid:
http://www.gbod.org/worship/music/mechanical-license.pdf

[Calius]

Your two questions: 1. What are the licensing fees/restrictions surrounding this? Is it a pay-per-view scenario?

As noted in the other post, you will have to purchase rights from ASCAP, BMI, etc. My question is, why do you want to use copyright music on your videos in the first place? There's a giga-ton of free music available.

2. Does anyone know of any clearing houses or services that actually license content like this?

As mentioned BMI, etc. You purchase the rights and depending upon the sound track you want to use it will cost you $X.00. It varies too much to know. Sometimes it's worth it, worth it to pay the fee because that particular voice, that particular musician will add significant value to your video. Then you buy. The next question becomes what kind of rights do you want to buy? It might be seen as a pay-per-view model. Depends.

When you have that all done, the project finished, check out www.muzility.com We serve the videomaker.

Peace,
Calius

[optimalwebsite]

I make short films so i know a little about this.... if you're in any doubt at all I'd seek legal advice. You probably wouldn't know you were breaking the law until they issued legal proceedings. Music companies tend to respond very aggressively in court when it comes to this.

Just my two cents.

Joel

[etechsupport]

Yep, I heard sillicon valley is in process to develop copyright tool that will scan web for violation by using a technique known as 'digital fingerprinting, which determines unique and identifying characteristics of content. For more detail you can refer this news; So it's becoming more and more harder these days.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116640468524853020-jD46fkyB33ZgQiMfJcpSZ4LqgLA_20071218.html?mod=blog s

[phunklord]

Excellent feedback. Thanks guys!

pl