CD / DVD distribution for Coverband

[shawnasmith]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

I am assisting with a cover band that will be taping a live concert which will air on a network that has a blanket license. We want to make a DVD of the recording and an audio CD to sell during the bands upcoming tour.

The problem I'm running into is between synchronization licenses and mechanical licenses. I'm not sure which license I should get that would cover BOTH the audio cd and DVD. Is there one such license that covers both, or do I have to get separate licenses for each medium. Harry Fox only deals with the mechanical license and does not do synchronization anymore. Any help or advice as to where to look would be greatly appreciated.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[FlyingRon]

While I suppose you could get the synch license negotiated to cover both the audio and video disks, it would be more common to just use the compulsory license for the audio and to negotiate the sync rights separately.

HFA does only the mechanicals (to my knowledge they've never done the sync rights) and then only for the publishers they represent. If you can't find it in the songfile you'll have to dig up who the copyright holder is and remit the mechanicals to them.

If you aren't up to negotiation of synch rights yourself, you want a "music clearance" firm. If you're in a reasonable metro area (NY, Nashville, LA, ...) you can probably even find them in the phone book.

 

[shawnasmith]

Thank you for your response!