Music Video Copyright

PA - I am currently in the works of starting a small side project with a partner. We will be making and distributing Power Hour DVDs. For those of you who are not familiar with Power Hour college drinking game, it is very simple.

Typically someone will burn 60 one minute clips of different songs onto a cd. Every time a new song comes on, everyone listening will take a shot of beer. Recently my partner and I have been making Power Hour DVDs for our friends consisting of Vintage Music Videos that are not currently being played on MTV or other broadcast entities. Now I know there are very vague termonologies when it comes to music copyright. Also I know that 1 minute clips do not constitute as the full property. I have looked into ASCAP licensing as well as BMI and Harry Fox Agency. There is no real liscense for this type of media. Can anyone help me? Who do I contact in order to pursue this business venture legally?

You will need to secure rights to use each master recording (generally owned by the record company) and also the song rights owned by the music publishers and songwriters before manufacturing these DVDs. The publisher can negotiate on behalf of the songwriter in this case. The fact that you are reproducing only a portion of the song does not relieve you from securing these rights. If you are duplicating music videos which you do not own, you should obtain permission from the owner of the music video, usually a record company. If the music is played at events and parties such as those hosted by fraternities, which under copyright law have been defined as public gatherings, the venue owner (organization) will need to secure the performance right for the songs, usually from BMI and ASCAP. As the manufacturer of the DVD, you would not be responsible for the performance right in this case. This is the only legal way these DVDs can be manufactured and played at gatherings outside of a family and its social acquaintances. Copyright law is not vague on these matters, as you suggest.

[adamtaylor]

It's good that you want to consult an expert before carrying out your pursuits. My friend had a similar issue while setting up his own organization and wanted to confirm the authenticity of his logo by a trusted company. He received all the assistance that he wanted and cleared all his doubt related to Copyright issues.

I am a law student and former journalist the answer to your question was given by the first respondent however copyright does have limitation this may well be 50 years after the death of the artist for example Shakespeare's work is out of copyright