Demoreel Music?!?
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- adamfinger
I notice a lot of reels featuring music from established bands. I'm wondering what the copyright limitations are on this. Does using copyrighted music for reel purposes only breach any sort of laws?!? Are there bands out there that allow for this?
I know there is a lot of royalty-free music CDs out there, but most of that stuff is boring or sounds generic.
Thanks.
-adam
- abizzyman0
yeah.. it's all copyrighted and you need to get permission - and often pay royalties / one-time fees to use the music.
It's a safe bet that the high-end reels that feature well-known clients all have permission to use the music they do.
But yeah... it's considered an infringment of copyright if you use the music to promote yourself (to gain clients / money) w/out first getting permission or paying a royalty.
- adamfinger0
I figured as much. Thanks.
- del_razor0
odd.. i asked this question about 2 months ago.. and everyone agreed.. it's ok to do for personal portfolios..
as long as you aren't making money off of the spot itself.. and it's to get a JOB.. not to sell that piece.. then you are fine..
if you were making a demo reel.. and then trying to sell it.. that'd be a different story.. don't worry about the law crap when it comes to this..
the most you'll ever get is gonna be a "please remove your demo reel" letter from some attourney.. as it's not worth it for them to persue someone's personal portfolio for copyright infringement..also.. credit your music at the beginning or end (or if in WMV format.. use the author tag.. etc.. )
rules like this should only apply to people who stand to make a dollar on it.. as far as copyright infringement..
if i'm playing some cool tunes outta my ghettoblaster, and someone says "oh he's cool.. we'll give this job to him" then it's actually similar to what they are trying to pressure you into not doing..
getting somewhere in life by using the music you listen to..
whatever.. do what you want.. no one will really worry about it.. unless it gets like critically acclaimed recognition or something../////del
- abizzyman0
del...
you stated that the worst they will do will ask you to take it down...
... that's very true - so technically it is a copyright infringment... right?
Ethically speaking - but then again - I do it too... so I'm not knocking you... I guess I'm wondering where you draw the line.
I had a class about 4 years ago specifically on the legalities of such an issue... and the answer was that it's a no-no to use anything you didn't create as regards to music w/out prior consent.
- adamfinger0
I really don't think I'd have a problem getting music from an independent band, but I just wanted to know the deal...
- mevsthem0
go to: we are the music makers
vist the forum: http://forum.watmm.com/
there are alot of talented people there doing ambient/idm styled music, I asked one of the artists if i would be able to use one of there tracks in a demo reel they agreed i gave credit at the end of the reel. alot of talented people on that forum.
- ********0
You may use any music as long as it is 50 years or older. As for 49.9 years and younger, you need permission of some type. Or you must purchase a license to use it.
- adamfinger0
JazX, are you being serious?!? I'm sure someone owns the rights to music that is 50+ years old.
- ********0
Actually, I stand corrected. http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_te…
HOW LONG COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ENDURES
Works Originally Created On or After January 1, 1978A work that is created (fixed in tangible form for the first time) on or after January 1, 1978, is automatically protected from the moment of its creation and is ordinarily given a term enduring for the author’s life plus an additional 50 years after the author’s death. In the case of “a joint work prepared by two or more authors who did not work for hire,” the term lasts for 50 years after the last surviving author’s death. For works made for hire, and for anonymous and pseudonymous works (unless the author’s identity is revealed in Copyright Office records), the duration of copyright will be 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.
Works Originally Created Before January 1, 1978, But Not Published or Registered by That Date
These works have been automatically brought under the statute and are now given Federal copyright protection. The duration of copyright in these works will generally be computed in the same way as for works created on or after January 1, 1978: the life-plus-70 or 95/120-year terms will apply to them as well. The law provides that in no case will the term of copyright for works in this category expire before December 31, 2002, and for works published on or before December 31, 2002, the term of copyright will not expire before December 31, 2047.