DVD Copying

[dk_psy]

I work for an organisation where schools put on short performances (less than 10min long) on a theme of their choice set to a selection of commercially available music (pop songs, classical, rap, etc, etc).

We record the evening show where the schools perform in turn are judged (on average 9 school performances a show). Does anyone know what licenses would we need to look into to be able to copy and sell these show DVDs? (Or do I need to post this on a different topic?)

[ugly_bob]

not sure about the licenses for distributing the DVDs, but by the letter of the law, you would need a Public Performance License just to use the songs for the performances.

You need permission from the copyright owner to copy and redistribute their music, not sure if there is a blanket license covering this or not.

[LeMarchand]

I don't think there is a "blanket" license that covers reproduction, as I know that certain artists don't like their work used in movies and TV shows, which (I assume) would be considered the same sort of usage.

(It may be an urban myth, but I read that at one stage Disney used to reprimand schools for displaying children's pictures of Disney characters!)

[tonymclark]

You would have to seek permission from the record company/music publisher BEFORE producing your DVD for sale. This goes for each and every track used.

As LeMarchand says, not every artist/composer will give permission for their work to be used.

[vehelpfulguy]

As an example, In the 80s comedy show the Young Ones a few pop songs were used.

When it came to release the shows on DVD some artists refused to let their songs be used and they were cut.

For example in one episode Neil gets into a filthy bath with no light in the bathroom and sings just one line of a Simon and Garfunkel song.

He sang "Hello darkness my old friend"

Paul Simon refused to allow it in the show and it had to be cut from the DVD.

[LeMarchand]

Probably not much good for what you need, but we had a similar dilemma at our school. The only free (though a credit is mandatory and donations discretionary) stuff I found was at http://www.incompetech.com/

[SaxyJag]

Try the Performing Rights Society - http://www.prs.co.uk/ - I find them very helpful in matters of this type, plus they are the last word on the subject in the UK.