Music Copyright Question

[Richard Harrington]

Unless you are a student, and you are using it in a class exercise.

People break rules all the time… Doesn’t mean its right nor that you won’t be sued for lots of money.

Copyright.gov

YouTube has option to re-sync popular music tracks… but your video is silent when uploaded and ads pop-up for downloads

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Noah Kadner]

People do it all the time. Not legal by any means and you risk getting sued. but simply it’s so prevalent that some folks get away with it for a time. Not really worth it for anything though…

Noah

Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and GoPro HD Hero.

[André Engelhardt]

Simple answer is you’re not allowed to do what you describe! If you want to use copyrighted music you have to license it. Much easier, faster and cheaper would be to use stock music from one of the many stock music companies out there. It will also make your work a bit more original as it’s “not that song again”.

—
Audio Engineer, Sound Designer
Video- and Photographer
http://www.andreengelhardt.net

[Sean Cramdon]

Thanks for the link Richard, I will definitley check that out.

Much appreciated.

[Noah Kadner]

Heh- don’t schools get sued for this too? I’m thinking I’m a student doesn’t really make a difference either. You get caught- you are breaking the law.

Noah

Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and GoPro HD Hero.

[Stephen Smith]

I find copyrighted music distracting. I was sent a demo reel with some music from a Hollywood movie. I spent the time thinking about the movie and not the demo. They didn’t get the job.

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Motion Tutorials

[Noah Kadner]

Sometimes it makes a good reel great. Then again I know a lot of producers who watch reels with the sound off- talking mostly animation/colorist but there ya go.

Noah

Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and GoPro HD Hero.

[Stephen Smith]

Noah, Depending on the music, (if it is U2 or some mega band) I personally focus on the fact that they most likely didn’t purchase the music, those stole it. Do I want to hire that type of person that might steal other things?

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Motion Tutorials

[Noah Kadner]

Heh- you’re a tough hombre. No I don’t think of the person as untrustworthy because they stole music. Now if the video concluded with first person footage of a bank robbery I’d be a little more alarmed.

Noah

Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and GoPro HD Hero.

[Stephen Smith]

One more thing from the tough hombre. 🙂

I think people are cheating themselves if they feel that this copyrighted song is the only song that will work for their project. I would like to bring up an example where budget restraints created a better solution. Doug Liman did not have the budget he wanted for Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The neighborhood scene where Mr. Smith trips on the fence and accidentally almost shoots his wife is a great one and added a lot to the movie. It was originally supposed to be this big budget car chase scene that the studio would not pay for. Instead we ended up with this very simple scene that brought so much more to the movie. Limitations can help you find better solutions. Alright, the stiff is jumping off of his soap box.

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Motion Tutorials