This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on March 27th, 2013 with Matt Thompson, from SongFreedom.com, Betsy Butwin from Betsy Butwin Law and Zane Karl from Zane Karl Studios. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different. The topic was the matter of copyright, which can be a real headache for producers of media content who want to include certain music or other information in their films or videos. However, taking out specialist insurance for film errors and omissions should help cover you financially with any copyright issues that may come up as a result of your content. If you have a specific sound in mind and want to see a vast range, you could check out downloading various pieces of music to pick your favorite, however, if they do not have the ones you are looking for, you could try out some of the best torrent sites 2022 to see how you can download the copyright free music you want.

Betsy Butwin, Betsy Butwin Law PLLC

Betsy is dedicated to providing value and service to clients in the realms of Arts, Entertainment & Creative Services, Media & Technology, Small Business & Corporate, and Estate Planning. Prior to establishing Betsy Butwin Law, Betsy’s industry experience ranged from New York to Los Angeles, working with record labels, artists and law firms to secure deals and protect intellectual property rights.

Matt Thompson, SongFreedom.com

As a former musician and overall lover of music, Matt has always had a love for the music industry. With friends in the photo/cinema industry pointing out their inability to use popular music without doing so illegally, his quest became clear. There needed to be a way to use popular and relevant music in videos and slideshows without hassle and at an affordable price. After several months and countless hours of negotiating with labels, publishers, and artists, Songfreedom was born. He has also taken on the quest of educating the photo/cinema industry since legal action for copyright infringement has become a reality.

Zane Karl, Zane Karl Studios

Zane Karl produces promotional/event videography from Nashville, Tennessee. Using state of the art equipment, the team captures the entire event, narrating a story and highlighting the significance of the event. With a background in music production, Zane Karl Studios offers a unique perspective unlike many others in the event and wedding industry.

Q1: How did you get involved with wedding videos?

@ZaneKarl A1: In college I was involved in the production of music videos, and independent films. I have always had a passion for film and carried that over to the wedding industry.

Q2: @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw How did you get involved with music and copyrights?

@BetsyBLaw A2: I’m an entertainment lawyer, started at record labels in NYC. Now a sole practitioner focusing on creative industries. I have to add that I can’t provide complete legal solutions in short tweets, so this is not to be taken as legal advice. I hope you find my answers helpful, but please feel free to reach out for more complete information.

@SongfreedomINC A2: Involved with music a long time ago on the creative side, more legal stuff over the last several years.

Q3: @zanekarl @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw Introduce your company and what you do?

@SongfreedomINC A3: Only place to license popular music and relevant indie music and it’s less than $35/song

@BetsyBLaw A3: My firm, Betsy Butwin Law, PLLC focuses on the arts and creative small businesses.http://www.betsybutwinlaw.com . I do a lot of copyright and other intellectual property management and contracts, business start-up and estate planning.

@ZaneKarl A3: Zane Karl Studios is a production company that produces your vision into film.

Q4: @zanekarl @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw How do we use popular songs in videos without breaking the bank ?

@SongfreedomINC 4A: is the only place to get One Republic, Colbie Caillat, etc. easily and affordably…that I know of

@BetsyBLaw A4: Record a cover of the popular song and you can license the composition for streaming for .01 ¢ per stream. You can obtain the streaming license at http://www.harryfox.com to get a synch license you will need to contact the publisher (composition copyright owner).

@ZaneKarl A4: Themusicbed.com is a great tool for getting licensed music. They have a library you can choose from or you can send a request to obtain a license for your song of choice.

#WeddingMarket Chat Member: For photographers doing slideshows @Animoto provides a huge library of music for their slideshows including @TripleScoopMusic

Q5: @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw How can we work with recording studios on getting the proper rights in a shorter amount of time?

@BetsyBLaw A5: The owner of the Sound Recording may be a studio, the artist or a label. Be prepared to get the rights far in advance. Their pace of business maybe slower, especially if they do not see your inquiry as a priority.

@SongfreddomINC A5: Labels, artists, writers, and publishers ALL need to sign off. Sometimes 15 people needed to approve 1 song. The more people license what is available now the more others will want to get involved quickly.

Biggest problem with getting a music license is knowing what it includes. Is it for TV, Online & does it expire?

@SongfreddomINC Answer: Our rights include online only. TV (broadcast) rights are always different and extra. Check our FAQ. Single use per license and the project can stay online forever.

Q6: @zanekarl @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw How can we use or find great music that not part of popular music that will work well with video projects?

@BetsyBLaw A6: You can use Public Domain music, music on which the copyright has expired, without paying for a license.

@ZaneKarl A6: You can use third party agency’s to obtain sync and recording licenses. You can personally find a band that will let you use their songs in your film.

@SongfreddomINC A6:We have thousands of indie tracks with an onsite recommendation engine to discover new music but there are lots of options.

@ZaneKarl Do you want to share what you are doing with your wedding videos? How much does this service usually cost?

@ZaneKarl Answer: I started a music department that composes around my editing and the client’s musical taste. we’ll use commercial voice majors from Belmont University who compose a compilation of songs specifically for the client. A different musical score for each client. But not everyone can afford this privilege. They charge $750. Yes, I love this concept. I would search for days for the perfect song, I still felt the music didn’t flow perfectly.

Q7: Is there a length of time or a number of uses for most licenses?

@SongfreedomINC A7: Ours is single use per license & the project can stay online forever. Most general licenses carry some limitations.

@BetsyBLaw A7: Yes, most licenses have either a term of years (or months) or a particular number or streams or uses. Unless the term is perpetual and unlimited.

Q8: @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw If you purchase a license how do you know what it includes?

@BetsyBLaw A8: There will be a provision expounding on which rights are granted to the licensor.

@SongfreedomINC A8: For us,check our FAQ online. In general it should be clear in the license but good to consult a lawyer like Betsy.

Q9: @ZaneKarl & other videographers: What are the top songs that couples are requesting for their wedding videos?

@zanekarl A9: Many clients love Ben Rector.

@SongfreedomINC A9: Probably “Home” by Phillip Phillips. A common request we get. Probably a couple of the most popular songs on our site have been “Good Life” & “Brighter Than the Sun”. But then who doesn’t love One Republic and Colbie? Ingrid Michaelson has been very popular too.

Now can you also help clients with obtaining rights? How does that work?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: I help clients with this a lot by reaching out to copyright owners for negotiating clearances and licenses.

@SongfreedomINC Answer: We help obtain rights ALL the time. Sometimes for our regular service, sometimes for commercials.

How do you find Public Domain Music?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: Compositions published prior to 1922 are public domain. There are many site with lists. Just be sure to verify. The recording is generally not public domain, so it would be ideal to record a cover.

@SongfreedomINC Answer: Public domain means that the publishing is good to go, but not necessarily the recording so be careful.

Q10: @zanekarl @SongfreedomINC & @BetsyBLaw What are some other tips or advice that you would offer ?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: Tip: License music legally and in advance. Risking copyright infringement could end up having very costly and stressful consequences.

@SongfreedomINC Answer: Be careful! If you’re not sure if something is legal, ask someone. Too many wedding people got sued last year.

Q11: What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat ?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: Don’t be fearful of copyright laws. Just know enough to do things right and legally. The advice of a lawyer is always available, and I like to think always helpful.

@SongfreedomINC Answer: Things are already better than they once were for selection. Hang in there, it’s only going to get better.

#WeddingMarket Chat Question: @songfreedominc if a video has a popular song playing in the live shot (not overdubbed), this should be licensed, right?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: Yes, but it depends on the use for the video.

@Songfreedominc Answer: Live shots MAY count as incidental but best to get a license.

#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Any good resources for free songs and music? tired of iMovie jingles…

@SongFreedominc Answer: You usually get what you pay for but there’s tons of free stuff out there.

#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What documentation do I need if I contact a local musician for permission to use their music in a wedding video? and have something written for them to sign before using their piece?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: Good question! You need to tell them about your use of the music and your budget for licensing. Then negotiate. Yes, you will need to sign a license document. You may need to provide the paperwork, or they may want to…

@SongFreedominc Answer: YES! Always get something in writing.

#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What’s the story on mash-ups? Still required to get the same permission from each party involved?

@BetsyBLaw Answer: Yes, a mash-up is considered a derivative work, which requires a license for each songs involved.