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At my high school, all seniors have to undertake a big project in order to graduate. The neat thing is that we can do pretty much anything we want, so long as it's challenging. I decided to make a documentary about the concept of home (as opposed to just a place where you live), and the different cultural geographical points of view for the concept of "home." I'm filming in a bunch of different cities, and I want to include music to characterize the uniqueness of each of the cities.

I have to basic questions:
1) Would I have to gain permission from the artists in order to use their music in my film? Like I said, it's a project for school, so I wouldn't be making any profit. If it does really well I might enter it into a couple of local film festivals, but again, I wouldn't be doing it for profit.
2) If I do need to gain the artists' permissions, how would I go about doing that?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

2007-08-29 18:10:52 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities Visual Arts Other - Visual Arts

2 answers

This *might* fall under the "fair use" provisions of the copyright code, but I would recommend you not rely on that.

And to be honorable and polite, which I'm sure you want to be, you need permission.

Normally, you write to ask for permission, explain that it's a project for school, that there is no profit involved, and it might be entered in a couple of local film festivals. Indicate that full credits will be given for the music.

You need permission both from the person(s) who owns the song, and the person(s) performing the song.

Normally, they won't bother writing back. Sometimes, they send a nice letter saying sure, you're welcome. Once in a while, you get back a letter demanding a gazillion bucks. Unless you get back a letter demanding money, they aren't going to sue you, because you have a copy of the letter asking permission, and the court is going to take a look at this, and say, "Hey, this kid was *trying*" and dismiss the case.

BTW, you should thank your parents for raising you right.

2007-08-29 18:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

You cannot add copyrighted music to your film, unless you want to get sued.

Hire a lawyer so he or she can get permission for you to use the music.

If you get caught stealing the music, you will need an attorney.

2007-08-29 18:17:26 · answer #2 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0 0

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