FAQs
Common terms
& Music Selection


FAQs ON COMMON TERMS

COPYRIGHT
PUBLIC DOMAIN
CUE SHEETS
SYNCHRONIZATION LICENCE
PERFORMING FEES

FAQs on STOCK MUSIC

1: What is a stock music consultant?
2: How can I use a stock music consultant?
3: How can I use Chris Stone Audio if I am out-of-town?

FAQs on MUSIC SELECTION

1: Can I use music from a commercial disc in my production?
2: What happens if I use a commercial disc without permission?
3: What if I really want to use a commercial disc?
4: How can I get an original score for my production?
5: Can my composer do arrangements of well known songs?
6: Can I use a public domain piece from a commercial CD?
7: How can I use a public domain piece?
8: What is the easiest way to get music for my production?

FAQs ON COMMON TERMS

COPYRIGHT - The legal exclusive right which a composer has to his own works during a certain period of time. A composer often assigns these rights (copyright) to a music publisher who then handles the licensing of the music. If the music is recorded, then the recording company becomes an additional copyright owner. There would then be two copyrights - the right in the musical work itself and also the right in the recording.back to top

PUBLIC DOMAIN - Music enters the Public Domain after a certain period (usually 70 years) after the death of the composer. This can vary from country to country. Canada has at present a period of 50 years; Spain and Belgium have periods of 80 years. Some countries (France, Japan and others) grant additional years to allow for the losses in performing fees during the two world wars, so be careful if you need world rights! You are probably safe if the composer has been dead 90 years or more - but if lyrics are involved, then the life/death of the lyricist becomes a factor in some countries.back to top

CUE SHEETS - All music used in a production must be listed in complete detail on a music cue sheet. When correctly filled out and filed with the appropriate performing rights society, cue sheets ensure that composers and publishers receive royalties on the performance/usage of their music. Performing fees are NOT an additional cost to the producer, they are collected from broadcasters, theatres, clubs and other sources by the performing rights societies, and distributed by them. back to top

SYNCHRONIZATION LICENCE - A licence issued by the composer, publisher, record company and/or agent allowing the music to be synchronized with a visual or audio track. If the music you wish to use is from the score of a movie the producers of the film may also hold a copyright in the music. back to top

PERFORMING FEES - Fees paid by performing rights societies to publishers and composers for the use of their music in broadcast, theatrical or other applications. back to top


FAQs on STOCK MUSIC

1: WHAT IS A STOCK MUSIC CONSULTANT? A stock music consultant works with you to find the right sound to create the illusion you want in your production. Chris Stone Audio (stock music consultants) have years of experience working on many different productions. They have over 90 different music libraries at their fingertips, comprising over 300,000 tracks and thousands of sound effects using a state of the art computer selection system - not available to anyone else. back to top

2: HOW CAN I USE A STOCK MUSIC CONSULTANT? Make an appointment, take along a script and possibly a video of the rough edit, or telephone/e-mail us. Chris Stone Audio will work with you, narrow down your choices, and help you decide what your production needs. back to top

3: HOW CAN I USE CHRIS STONE AUDIO IF I AM OUT-OF-TOWN? Chris Stone Audio can accommodate out-of-town clients. Scripts can be faxed, videos delivered, and music can be auditioned over the telephone. back to top


FAQs on MUSIC SELECTION

1: CAN I USE MUSIC FROM A COMMERCIAL DISC IN MY PRODUCTION? Only if you get permission from the music publisher AND the record company. There is no set fee for this and permission is not always granted. back to top

2: WHAT HAPPENS IF I USE A COMMERCIAL DISC WITHOUT PERMISSION? It is an infringement of copyright and you can be sued for large amounts - and you will lose!. back to top

3: WHAT IF I REALLY WANT TO USE A COMMERCIAL DISC? Contact the music publisher. ALSO contact the record company or your local recording industry association. back to top

4: HOW CAN I GET AN ORIGINAL SCORE FOR MY PRODUCTION? Find a composer with a good track record, one who is versatile and able to write in a variety of styles. If you can give your composer good direction, and you have the time and budget, your project should be a success. BUT remember, if you do not like the music in the end - you still have to pay for it. back to top

5: CAN MY COMPOSER DO ARRANGEMENTS OF WELL KNOWN SONGS? The composer MUST obtain WRITTEN permission from the original music publisher and pay associated fees immediately UNLESS the music is a Public Domain piece. back to top

6: CAN I USE A PUBLIC DOMAIN PIECE FROM A COMMERCIAL CD? Not without permission from the recording company. The music might be for public use but the recording is protected by the copyright act. back to top

7: HOW CAN I USE A PUBLIC DOMAIN PIECE? You can purchase the score of the public domain music and have it recorded yourself. Now YOUR recording is protected by copyright. If you are using the music worldwide you must find out if the music is Public Domain elsewhere. For example: there is Public Domain music in Canada which is still under copyright in the United States. back to top

8: WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET MUSIC FOR MY PRODUCTION? Selecting music from a Stock Music Library is the easiest way. The music library publishes and records the music so only one clearance has to be made. back to top

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