P1. Use of music - Legal Considerations

1) Right of use

Publishing Rights:

The owner of a song's Publishing Rights owns the rights to the composition; usually this is the author of a piece of music. The author is also the copyright owner unless there is a written agreement by which the author assigns the copyright to another person or entity, such as a publisher. Then also the publisher must give its consent to offer the music.

Recording Rights:

The person having recording rights is the person who is a party to and has the benefit of the exclusive recording contract, or to whom the benefit of the contract has been assigned. The person may be an individual or a corporate entity.

Clearing a piece of music for use in film:

First you would need to identify what rights you need then locate the person who owns the rights to the music and send out a request letter to negotiate a deal with them so you can gain the rights, you would also need to make sure you get it in writing so you have a hard copy and proof of your rights.


Can you use music in your sequence if the composer has died?

No, The copyright and royalties to a piece of music are passed onto Relatives or Friends of who the composer chooses and still exist for up to 70 years after the composer has died.


What is incidental music?
Incidental Music is music that is played in the background of a Film/TV Show/Performance.

2) Creative commons:

What is Creative Commons?

Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools.

Why does it exist?
Taking inspiration from the free or open source software movement, the Creative Commons founders decided to create a ‘free culture’ by developing a set of licenses that creators could use to make their creative material more freely usable without giving up their copyright.

The 6 different types of license:

3) Your choice of music

Song URL: http://www.audiomicro.com/tracks/dialog/777653

I chose this piece of music because it's calm and cheerful, it gives the impression that it is just a normal school but in reality it's not. In my opinion it suits the sequence perfectly.

Rights Evidence:
http://www.audiomicro.com/legal-docs/music-license-agreement