<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Legally
Obtaining Rights to Music for Your Film </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Installment
#1 – Clearance basics</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">by
Mary Ellen Tomazic</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Verdana","sans-serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Music is
often a very important part of a filmmaker’s creative vision in putting
together a film, and the collaboration between musicians and filmmakers can
result in great things for both parties. From the point of view of the
musician, the use of his or her music in a film brings up not only issues of
payment, but of attribution, business relationships, and reputation as well.
The filmmaker has to think of how he or she would feel if some of his or her
work was used in another film or project, and the rights to be protected. The
clearance of rights to music are mostly negotiated and not statutory, and
involved people and entities other than the musician, such as record companies,
music publishers, and music performance societies. Whether the filmmaker wants
to use existing music or commissioned music, there are certain steps which must
be taken, which can be costly and time-consuming. To ignore these steps and
attempt to use music without obtaining rights to it, either because you think
your film is `too small’, the amount of music used is `minimal’, or not enough
money will be made to make a difference to the rights holders, is a risky and
foolish proposition. As most filmmakers dream of their film “making it big”
even if it starts small, you would be foreclosing yourself from that ever
happening if you use music that has not been cleared. You will not be able to
get a distribution deal, may have lawsuits filed against you and everyone
involved in making the film, and at the very least may have to reshoot your
film without the music that has not been cleared. This will not only be very
costly to you, but may ruin your reputation for future filmmaking. There are
ways to obtain music more cheaply, but first you have to think about others’
rights and plan the use of music in your film ahead of time. Balancing the cost
of clearances with the need for certain music will help you to form a budget
for your film and make sure you are not causing yourself extra problems with
your production.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Verdana","sans-serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Obtaining
the rights to use pre-existing musical compositions in your film will require
you to determine who owns the various rights involved; sometimes it is several
people or entities. A synchronization license, which allows the filmmaker to
fix the words and music to the video image, must be separately negotiated with
the copyright holder, usually the music publisher. You can find out who is the
publisher of the composition by using the American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) `ASCAP Clearance Express’<a style="mso-footnote-id:
ftn1" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>,
a searchable database of performed works along with writer, publisher and
recording artist information. The synchronization license gives you the right
to re-record the song for use in your film, but does not allow you to use any
pre-existing recordings of that song. The use of a needle drop or “cue” of an
existing recording means placing the needle down on the recording and then
lifting it in synchronization with visual images. The use of a “cue’ from a
commercially produced popular recording usually involves dealing with all the
normal clearance requirements with respect to the song, the recording of the
song, the recording artist and the performer’s unions. Organizations known as
“production music” or “cue” libraries provide commercially produced recordings
specifically for background broadcast and film use at a variety of reasonable
license rates. The libraries will issue one license which includes rights for
the music and the recording of the music.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn2" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
There is also the possibility that the copyright owner will not grant a license
of their composition for use in your film, either because he or she objects to
the type of subject matter, or the use made of the song in your film<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn3" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>.
For example, the rights holder may not want the song to be used more than once,
or be played over the beginning or end credits.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn4" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[4]</span></span></span></span></a>
If you wish to use the pre-existing recording of the song, you must negotiate a
separate master use license with the record label or other entity that owns the
sound recording rights to that composition, and the artists and musicians that
performed on that record. The artist may not want the song to be used more than
once, and may ask for a quote for additional usage; he or she may want to get
the cut onto a soundtrack album as well. <a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn5" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[5]</span></span></span></span></a>
The producers of the 1985 film “Mask” were forced to replace several Bruce
Springsteen songs with Bob Seeger songs in the movie after they reached an
impasse in licensing negotiations for the soundtrack and other formats of the
movie.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn6" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[6]</span></span></span></span></a>
There was a disagreement between the movie company and Springsteen’s record
label, Columbia, over the percentage of the film’s videocassette royalties.
Springsteen himself had approved their use in the script stage of the project,
but the rights to be cleared also included the record company’s publishing
rights to the pre-existing music. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
color:#333333">The music was reinstated for the 2004 Director's Cut DVD version
when Springsteen himself pushed for its inclusion.<a style="mso-footnote-id:
ftn7" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[7]</span></span></span></span></a>
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<div style="mso-element:footnote-list"><br clear="all">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%">
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn1" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> <a href="http://www.ascap.com/ace/">http://www.ascap.com/ace/</a></p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn2" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
Clearing House, Inc., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">A Guide to Clearing
Music in Audio/Visual Mutimedia Products</i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">, </span>467 PLI/P<span style="font-size:8.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">AT </span>783, at 797 (1997).</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn3" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>
Clearing House, Inc., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">A Guide to Clearing
Music in Audio/Visual Mutimedia Products</i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">, </span>467 PLI/P<span style="font-size:8.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">AT </span>783, at 791 (1997); Sam Adler, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Melody Lingers On, Soundtrack Album
Agreements, </i>13 No. 1 Ent. L & Fin. 1 (1997).</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn4" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[4]</span></span></span></span></a>
Sam Adler, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Melody Lingers On, Soundtrack
Album Agreements, </i>13 No. 1 Ent. L & Fin. 1 (1997).</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn5" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[5]</span></span></span></span></a>
Id.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn6" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[6]</span></span></span></span></a>
Michael London, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Legal Snarl, Springsteen
or Seger?, </i>L.A.Times, February 27, 1985.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn7" href="file:///C:/Users/Maryellen/Documents/Indieclub%20article%20-%231%20music.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">[7]</span></span></span></span></a>
IMDB Trivia for Mask (1985), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089560/trivia">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089560/trivia</a>. </p>
</div></div>