Adding Music to your Web site without breaking Copyright Laws

Adding music to your Web site is a good way of reinforcing the message you give to your target audience. But you must be wary! There are certain precautions you must take in order to avoid legal issues.

Above all, you should get familiar with the Copyright Laws of the United States. There are certain questions you must answer before launching your online musical project.

How much can I get from a musician?

Well, the first thing you must know is that under the “Fair Use Doctrine” it is legal to use limited portions of an existing work but only for criticism, commentaries or reports. The number of words of musical notes you can use without permission can vary. It depends on the particular case and circumstances. As the limit between fair use and infringement is not clear, it is always highly recommendable to consult an attorney first. Want to get further information?

How do I get a license?

It’s quite simple: you can directly ask the owner for permission to use his or her music. However; if you don’t know who the composer is, or if it’s hard to reach him or her, you can ask for help in the Copyright Office. They have a record of every work that has been registered. Keep in mind that the Copyright Office won’t give you a license unless you have a written authorization of the Copyright owner of the piece. Ask for help!

As the “Fair Use Doctrine” is hard to define, the best thing you can do is use works from musician that you already know and who can give you the permission. For instance, you can promote new musicians that you really know and give them the chance to become popular. If that is not the case, try to limit as much as possible the amount of musical notes you will add. Avoid trouble! In addition, if you have infringement issues, it’ll definitely damage your business image. So, take all the necessary precautions.

Now, come on and be quick-witted! Respect the law and put yourself in the others’ shoes. Would you allow someone else to use your own work without permission? Think it through!

Source:

U.S Copyright Office