Licensing

[Adrobin]

My documentary film class is making a documentary about homelessness and poverty. I thought Johnny Ryall would be a great addition to the soundtrack. I need to know the legal issues. I know the bboys are fairly cool about sharing music. but my teacher is really into the legality of it all. Are there steps to take in order to use this song? Or should I just go ahead and put it in, cause it's not like we're going to be selling the music, or making any money.

[pip07]

I always assumed as long as its not for profit its all good

[sethomas]

i think you're safe.

[BangkokB]

I put up a thread some years ago about Where's Johnny Ryall?

Now that in lies the question. Where is Johnny Ryall? Is he still on the stoop? I don't think so Mike moved long ago. I drink milk and I've never seen him on a carton so he's probably flapping about. But where? And who is he?

You need to turn that into a documentary about Johnny Ryall. Where he was, where he's been, and where he is now.

Title~ Johnny Ryall: From Park Bench to Park Ave.
The Complete Story

[abcdefz]

The right thing to do isn't based on whether or not you'll get caught.

Just write to them in care of the record company. Even though it's probably something their publisher would take care of, but the publisher
will say no out of hand. Tell them it's a school project and you're not going to make a profit from it and see what they say.

I jumped through the hoop in high school and my theater teacher wound up getting a personal call from Jon Landau saying it was fine to
use Springsteen's "Reason to Believe" in my video.

It's disrespectful to use other people's work without their permission.

[sethomas]

It's disrespectful to use other people's work without their permission.

i just quoted you, i bet you're pissed.

[alikat]

i agree with a-z. non-profit / academic use is still subject to copyright law (just hopefully lower to zero fees). you're teacher's probably just trying to prepare you for that. because i'm bored i just searched the song on ascap.com, and this is the publisher you should contact.

BROOKLYN DUST MUSIC/POLYGRAM
% UNIVERSAL POLYGRAM INTERNATIONAL
2440 SEPULVEDA BLVD
SUITE 100
LOS ANGELES , CA, 90064

good luck! oh, the irony of getting rights to a PB song :)

[Adrobin]

Thanks for all the thoughtfull advice. I think I'm gonna say screw it and just put it in.

[abcdefz]

It'll be funny if your teacher flunks you for plagiarism. :)

[Adrobin]

yeah, he's kind of a bitch goodie two shoes.