Music for PSA at DVinfo.net

Tom Sessions · November 16th, 2009, 04:45 PM

I want to use a song by Sarah McLachlan for a PSA. If the video is used for a non-profit women's organization, do I still need to get permission to use it so they can use it on their website?

Also, how would I go about getting the permission? Anyone have contact info to do this?

Here is the video if you want to see how it is used:

www.bluestarvideo.com/videos/WPSA.wmv

James Workman · November 16th, 2009, 07:05 PM

Yes, you will need permission. ANY use of copyrighted material requires permission, no matter if it is non-profit or otherwise.

I would start by finding out who published that song for Ms. McLachlan. It might be on the CD cover, or a quick google search should turn it up. Then I would contact them. After you explain the use, they may grant you permission to use it for free (doubtful).

Stephen J. Williams · November 17th, 2009, 09:55 AM

Tom...

on a side note, I thought the video was great. Good luck on getting the approval of the song.

Steve

Jeff Kellam · November 17th, 2009, 03:11 PM

I would read this to start:

The Music Bridge :: "All Clear" - Music Clearance Primer

Very roughly, what is your music budget? Might be a good time to build up your royalty free collection. There is really a lot of great stuff out there.

However, I bet the fee in your situation will be very low, but there are still administrative fees to make it happen, maybe $500ish

Tom Sessions · November 17th, 2009, 09:40 PM

Jeff, That is a good referrence for the info I need...Thanks

Steve, Thanks for the accolades....only took an hour to shoot and 2hours to edit....it's amazing what a person can accomplish when they are motivated by one of these human interest stories. I shot her wedding a couple of months ago and learned about her plight and just felt compelled to tell her story. She wanted me to plug the wintergreenpress website because that is who she reached out to so she could keep her sanity.

Needless to say, wintergreen is just beside themselves with this clip and hope I am able to aquire the license.

Chris Davis · November 17th, 2009, 09:44 PM

Give it a try, but getting clearance to use a specific recording is difficult and potentially very expensive (you will need both the sync rights and the master recording rights.) As I've found, getting only sync rights is sometimes very easy and affordable, however that would mean you need to find someone to record it. Since the song is fairly simple, you could have it recorded by another musician with just piano and voice.

November 16th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#1
Tom Sessions Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 154	Music for PSA I want to use a song by Sarah McLachlan for a PSA. If the video is used for a non-profit women's organization, do I still need to get permission to use it so they can use it on their website? Also, how would I go about getting the permission? Anyone have contact info to do this? Here is the video if you want to see how it is used: www.bluestarvideo.com/videos/WPSA.wmv

November 17th, 2009, 03:11 PM	#4
Jeff Kellam Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 656	I would read this to start: The Music Bridge :: "All Clear" - Music Clearance Primer Very roughly, what is your music budget? Might be a good time to build up your royalty free collection. There is really a lot of great stuff out there. However, I bet the fee in your situation will be very low, but there are still administrative fees to make it happen, maybe $500ish __________________ Panasonic HMC150/Canon A1/JVC HD1/Sony Vegas 8.0c

November 16th, 2009, 07:05 PM	#2
James Workman Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 43	Yes, you will need permission. ANY use of copyrighted material requires permission, no matter if it is non-profit or otherwise. I would start by finding out who published that song for Ms. McLachlan. It might be on the CD cover, or a quick google search should turn it up. Then I would contact them. After you explain the use, they may grant you permission to use it for free (doubtful).

November 17th, 2009, 09:55 AM	#3
Stephen J. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 768	Tom... on a side note, I thought the video was great. Good luck on getting the approval of the song. Steve

November 17th, 2009, 09:40 PM	#5
Tom Sessions Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 154	Jeff, That is a good referrence for the info I need...Thanks Steve, Thanks for the accolades....only took an hour to shoot and 2hours to edit....it's amazing what a person can accomplish when they are motivated by one of these human interest stories. I shot her wedding a couple of months ago and learned about her plight and just felt compelled to tell her story. She wanted me to plug the wintergreenpress website because that is who she reached out to so she could keep her sanity. Needless to say, wintergreen is just beside themselves with this clip and hope I am able to aquire the license.

November 17th, 2009, 09:44 PM	#6
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	Give it a try, but getting clearance to use a specific recording is difficult and potentially very expensive (you will need both the sync rights and the master recording rights.) As I've found, getting only sync rights is sometimes very easy and affordable, however that would mean you need to find someone to record it. Since the song is fairly simple, you could have it recorded by another musician with just piano and voice.