Dealing with Copyrighted Music

floatingwoofloatingwoo Los Angeles, Calif.Member Posts: 393
in Working with GS (Mac)

Hi, I have been approached by a client that is interested in creating an instructional app. teaching kids Ukulele. In the app she will be teaching classic Ukulele tunes like "Over the rainbow" etc. Anyone here have any experience dealing with copyrighted music in there apps? Dealt with BMI. Or know of a good site online to read up on questions like....

Determining who holds the copyright.
Finding terms of use info.
Proof of permission.

Just starting to research this...Thanks

Comments

  • SocksSocks London, UK.Member Posts: 12,822

    @floatingwoo said:
    Determining who holds the copyright.

    The song rights are held by the song's publisher.

  • RabidParrotRabidParrot Formally RabidParrot. Member Posts: 956

    @floatingwoo

    I would think that the songs could be used under the Fair Use copyright law for educational purposes. At least in the US. I would do a little reasearch though.

  • Thunder_ChildThunder_Child Member Posts: 2,343

    I heard once "Happy Birthday" was one of the most "infringed" songs ever...

  • jamie_cjamie_c ImagineLabs.rocks Member, PRO Posts: 5,772

    @Thunder_Child, it is! I saw a documentary about that once and that is why restaurant chains never sing actual happy birthday, they have to come up with their own version.

  • SocksSocks London, UK.Member Posts: 12,822
    edited March 2015

    @jamie_c said:
    Thunder_Child, it is! I saw a documentary about that once and that is why restaurant chains never sing actual happy birthday, they have to come up with their own version.

    A lot of restaurant chains do this will all music not just Happy Birthday, they would rather have music produced for them rather than pay royalties as it's cheaper, Happy Birthday hasn't got some special status any more than a song by Katy Perry or Daft Punk, most smaller (non corporate chain) restaurant, bars and cafés simply pay a standard PRS/MCPS (UK) licence fee and play whatever they want, including Happy Birthday, McDonald's don't have to come up with their own version of Happy Birthday any more than they have to come up with their own version of Get Lucky by Daft Punk, they choose to do so because they would rather not pay for the music they use. $$

  • jamie_cjamie_c ImagineLabs.rocks Member, PRO Posts: 5,772

    they choose to do so because they would rather not pay for the music they use. $$

    Agreed

Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025