Licenses?

[cjb_89]

Im new at this internet radio thing and I was wondering do u have to get a license to be able to air other artists songs over Shoutcast even if you own the Cds. If you do where can u get a license.

[FesterHead]

The rules/laws vary depending on the source location.

For folks in the U.S.A. (and others wanting a good read), try this for starters (http://www.shoutcast.com/download/broadcast.phtml#copyright).

For a more definitive answer, please consult legal assistance.

[Psythik]

either that, or broadcast nothing but unlabeled music.

[cjb_89]

Heres a good place where they talk about it http://www.riaa.com/issues/music/webcasting.asp

[SorceryKid]

Hi,

If you Webcast any commercial music, then you will need to obtain licensing from ASCAP (minimum $268 per year fee) and BMI (minimum $268 per year fee) for the right to perform musical compositions in the United States. In addition you must must file playlist and listener reports to ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange and you must submit royalty payments (based upon your playlist and listener reports) to ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange/Royalty Logic.

For a far less expensive and less complicated alternative to independent licensing, allow me to suggest http://swcast.net/

I manage all license agreements, reporting, royalties, and legal matters collectively for member broadcasters.

Hope this helps,

--Randall

[cjb_89]

This might be a stupid question, but how would someone know if you had a license or not?

[Mr_007]

Licenses?
for shoutcast?
shoutcast radio originally has Licenses!

[cjb_89]

what do you mean by shoutcast radio originally has licenses?

[DJHotIce]

Our station is slowly but surely moving more into a unsigned format, and boy I'm telling you, they have some great unsigned bands out there, close to Radio Quality (billboard top 40) :D

[cjb_89]

Do you know where I can get some music from unsigned bands, and also Mr_007 what did you mean in your post.

[SorceryKid]

> This might be a stupid question, but how would someone know if you
> had a license or not?

Hi,

If you mean in general, I have found that most licensed Websites state somewhere (oftentimes in a footer or a separate page) whether they are licensed by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. In my case, I also have photocopies of the signed agreements which are available to registered members.

--Randall

[SorceryKid]

> Do you know where I can get some music from unsigned bands

I suppose it goes without saying that MP3.com, BeSonic, and IUMA.com feature music by a significant number of unsigned bands.

--Randall

[DJHotIce]

yep. mp3.com has tons of unsigned bands just looking for a radio station :D

[cjb_89]

Do you have to get a any licenses if you get approval from each individual record company that says you can play their artist's songs.

[SorceryKid]

You need to receive authorization from two usually separate entities: the record company or producer (i.e. the sound recording copyright owner) and the songwriter or publisher (i.e. the owner of the musical work itself).

So, for example, if you wanted to play a single track from the Haddaway album "Life Is Changing" you would need to contact both Coconut Records (the record company) and the publisher to make appropriate arrangements.

--Randall

[cjb_89]

I emailed a record company and they said they needed the station's call letters and music format how do I find these things?

[Psythik]

well I don't know what call letters are, but I know that the music format is "SHOUTcast Streaming MP3"

[DJHotIce]

CAll letters are like KPIZ

[cjb_89]

How do I find out my call letters

[DJHotIce]

You should know em if you have a station :D If you have a license you will be issued one :D

[SorceryKid]

> I emailed a record company and they said they needed the station's
> call letters and music format how do I find these things?

You need to clarify that you aren't a terrestrial radio station, but rather a Webcaster. By call letters, they mean your FCC identification which does not apply online. By format they mean your regular programming, such as alternative/rock, or news/sports, etc.)

--Randall

[SkaFreak]

Posted on another website by a user there:

I contacted several of the copyright companies and was basically told that for my max of 200 listeners 'It isn't worth the paper work involved in going through all your played material and working out which artist get's his $.001.' Laughing There are bigger fish out there for them to fry and they are more interested in you owning the songs you play and not downloading them. Considering <a href="http://dizzyqueen,org.uk">Radio Dizzy</a> (my Radio Stream) only plays songs I own I think I'm safe on that score.

If however, you really feel you need a license the details are below.

https://www.ascap.com/cgi-bin/weblicense/calc.cfm

[cjb_89]

My radio station can only hold 10 listeners so do i need to even bother to even ask copyright owners if I can use there songs?

[SorceryKid]

Yes, any public use of copyrighted music requires permission.

--Randall

[cjb_89]

if I get permission from the copyright owner and artist do I need to get a license

[DJHotIce]

yes. If you ask a unsigned lable it should be fine :D

make sure you ask permission, you get a yes.
if the song is covered under a record lable be sure to ask the record company.

If the artist doesn't have a lable just ask him

hint: www.mp3.com is a good place to start

[SkaFreak]

Originally posted by cjb_89
My radio station can only hold 10 listeners so do i need to even bother to even ask copyright owners if I can use there songs?

If you only have 10 listeners then technically by law you should have a licence or permission to play songs. but the copyright offices are most likely not gonna come after you for that small of a station. They are mainly out there trying to get the ones that can host at least 500 or more.

[musicnetfm]

If you are worried sign up as a member to swcast, follow some simple rules then hey presto, your covered! http://swcast.net/ very reasonable rates too.


:)