UK Copyright Licences

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi All

As mentioned previously I am compiling a charity DVD, in order to ensure compliance with music copyright regulations I have decided to join the IAC (Institute Amatuer Cinematographers). This subject has been done to death on here, but to me was always a gray area. I was under the impression that if my club was a member of one of the recognised photographic societies I could obtain my licence throgh them. My club isn't a member of one of the recognised societies so I have had to join the IAC as a family member (wife now covered) at the seniors rate. The total cost is £62.84. The relevant document that pushed me into this routeis below.

Below are some details of our copyright scheme:

For IAC members the cost of the three licences (MCPS, BPI, PPL) is £7.17. For members of RPS or PAGB the cost is £8.54 for the MCPS and the BPI licence.

The cost of affiliated club membership the IAC is £40.50, for individuals it is £37.50 with reduction for over 65's.

Member clubs of the PAGB can obtain our MCPS and BPI licences for use in club projects. Individual members of the club are not covered by these licences and would have to be IAC members in order to use Copyright music in their own projects.

Members of IAC Affiliated clubs are in a similar position in that licences in the club's name are for use in club projects ONLY. Members of the club have to be IAC individual members to be able to purchase the licences for their own projects.

To use Commercial music (ie recordings purchased retail) you have to clear with the Musicians' Union.

IAC members have special clearance from the MU for the use of Commercial recordings in their films/videos/AV sequences providing they hold the three licences (MCPS, BPI, PPL).

Other people wishing to use Commercial recordings MUST clear with MCPS AND the Musicians' Union....and possibly pay the required fee, depending on the use to which the dubbing is to be used for..... (probably cheaper to join the IAC!!)

You can only use Library/Production Music...if you hold the 2 licences (MCPS, BPI)

Non-IAC members cannot have the use of the PPL licence....see our IAC website. (THIS LICENCE ALLOWS THE REPRODUCTION IN PUBLIC OF SOUND TRACKS CREATED FROM COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS)

Quite useful too is the MCPS website! This info may be helpful:

Main Contacts for the MCPS-PRS Alliance: Postal address: Copyright House, 29-33 Berners St, London W1T 3AB. Switchboard: 020 7580 5544 Fax: 020 7306 4455 ...

www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/contact_us/Pages/GeneralEnquiries.aspx - 23k -

Of course anyone can use Royalty Free recordings because the licence to use is part of the purchase price of the disc. (AKM, Trackline etc)

Yachtsman1.

[Fried]

Does anyone know of a comparable scheme or arrangement in the US?

[8321]

What is the situation if someone from outside the UK wants to enter the Geoffrey Round International competition, for example, or a UK resident wants to enter an Australian AV international?

Jeff

[Guest Yachtsman1]

What is the situation if someone from outside the UK wants to enter the Geoffrey Round International competition, for example, or a UK resident wants to enter an Australian AV international?

Jeff

Hi Jeff

The UK National AV championships are for UK residents only. I don't know about any others.

Yachtsman1

[fh1805]

For UK based International competitions it is my understanding that the organisers require you confirm that you have all the necessary copyright clearances. Maureen would probably be the person best placed to give a definitive answer. Let's hope she reads this topic!

regards,

Peter