Monday, June 25, 2012

Playing Music In Store: How To Avoid Copyright Lawsuits

By Dellina Corren


There are a number of things you must understand when it comes to playing overhead music in your business establishment or if you are considering to use on-hold music. First of all, you have to understand that any music you use anywhere has to be licensed. Playing unlicensed music in your establishment is illegal and you may have to face the payment of huge fines and even lawsuits.

So if you plan to play music in store, you need to learn (and learn right away) that copyright laws in the US are quite strict, with the music industry bearing its full weight on businesses that disregard these copyright laws. Obviously, getting licensed music is not only a good idea if you are a business owner, it is required of you; so how exactly do you get your business music licensed?

First, you have to determine the type of license you need to get. The reason is there are different types of music licenses depending on your purpose. For example, a blanket license is needed for businesses that play CDS on their overhead speakers. This license will allow businesses to play all songs in CDs they indicated when applying for a license. There is also a different type of license used for individual copyright, radio and TV commercials, etc. Checking online licensing websites is the next thing you need to do after you have determined the type of license you need.

These websites provide helpful tips and information on the process you need to follow if you want to get a license for your music instore. Afterwards, you will be asked to complete online forms and pay the required processing and registration fees.

After completion of the forms and payment of the required fees, you'd be free to use the music in your business' premises, protected as you are with a legal license contract. While applying for a business music license is imperative, you need to remember a couple of important things.

First of all, using a radio as a source of in-site music doesn't require you to get a license since radio stations already have the license to broadcast the music. Second, if you created an original track or song, it is important to copyright it as soon as you can. If there came a time that your song needs to be used in a business, on a radio or TV ad, the copyright gives you enough clout should there be a need, and you need to protect yourself against any possible difficulties later on.




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