Synchronization Rights - Where to get ?
 

Hi, everybody.

I am Helena, a independent filmmaker from Brazil a I need your help, please. I will submit a short film at 2006 sundance and slamdance festivals and I can't find how to get the festival rights for the followings songs:

1) Oh Carol - written by Neil Sedaka

2) At the end of the Rainbow - written by Sid Jacobson and Jimmy Krondes

3) Resistance - writtem by Joseph LoDuca

4) Keep Coming - writtem by Joseph LoDuca

In fact I think I need the Synchronization Right, it means to obtain a synchronization license from the music publishers and a master use license from the record companies.

Well, where I can get it ? I search in BMI data base and only find the publishers to Oh Carol, but a phisical address (not Internet). What about the records companies ? How I know how many, who are ? How to know the others ? There is a central organization in USA that has all these informations ?

Not even I know if the fees are very expensive, because my budget is very low and maybe I need to forsake about that.

Please, any help, any information, is welcome.

Thank you for your attention and best regards
Helena

First off, make sure you mention that you are looking for film festival rights only. That is usually very cheap (but not always). The publisher hopes that your movie gets picked up for distribution, and they can renegotiate clearnaces at that point.

Second, it might make sense to at least contact a company or attorney that specializes in getting clearances. Especially since you are outside the USA, they may earn their fee many times over. It doesn't cost anything to contact them and discuss their fee and what they do.

Thank you Bob for your answer, but where I find these companys or attorneys ? In Internet I have find a site from EMG - Evan M. Greenspan Inc. It is a good company ? Anybody knows them ? There is others like that ?

Thanks again.

Start here.

www.bzrights.com

This company will research clearance rights for you, but they charge you to do that. Though there website says 'free initial consultation'.

I've never used them, but then again, I'm married to an IP attorney, so I usually get a free initial consultation...

Thank you, Richard !

I have made a contact with them and seems that you get me the right way.

I hope that everything goes to be OK, now.

Sure if the movie will played in one of these festivals, will be there a special thanks for you in the credits.

Best Regards.

Helena