Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

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wassphoto
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p.1 #1 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Hello everyone,

For every wedding I do, I offer a slideshow of the pictures with music in the background. This was something that made my first clients have tears in their eyes... so I kept offering it for every wedding and now I even mention in the contract that they will receive along with the prints or the other CDs a slideshow DVD. People seem to love the idea.

Now the question is will I get in troubles with copyrights on the music I'm using in my slideshow? I know most of the clients would never think about this especially if they like the slideshow but the thing is that the groom of the last wedding I shot and to whom I have to provide the pictures soon is a professional pianist. So this guy may notice that I'm using a music in the background that I may not have the rights on or the permission to use.

Anyone aware of how the music could be used in this case and if I'm violating any rights. Any suggestion is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks
Wass

Edited on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:50 AM

Jul 23, 2008 at 01:50 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #2 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

You only get in trouble if you are caught

But, is it a professional attitude towards other people's copyright to use their music without permission? How angry do photographers get when other "steal" our images?

Ask permission, you'd be surprised who will grant you permission. The PPA has an article about how and where you can use other's music.

There are plenty of royalty free music sites out there too.

Edited on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:12 AM

Jul 23, 2008 at 02:12 AM

wassphoto
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p.1 #3 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Thanks for the answer but I think I should have asked my question differently. I know it's not a professional attitude to do this but my question was am I really violating the rights here? I was told that I'm not but I still want to be 100% sure of this. So I thought other photographers may already know about this cause I think I'm not the only one offering slideshows. And if I'm violating rights, how can I ask permission from a publisher and what should I expect?

Thanks again

Edited on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:30 AM

Jul 23, 2008 at 02:29 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #4 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Well, if you use their content for any type of commercial use, then yes you are violating federal copyright laws (the same ones that protect your photos). Website, lobby waiting area of studio, elevator, slideshow, etc . . . their music is enhancing the experience of your product, of being in your studio, or going on your website, etc . . .

It really makes me sad when people use music and don't ask for permission in writing to use it for x reason. I use music on my website, but I asked permission first. From all the musicians I have asked, they granted permission. If you are upfront about the usage and tell them what you intend, then they will give you a detailed answer.

When magazines need photographs for the cover (which the cover obviously increases the chances of it being sold) they pay a photographer for a license, basically usage rights, to use that photo. The same thing applies to music.

It's theft if you do use it without written permission, or if you bought the rights to use the music for x reason.

Jul 23, 2008 at 02:33 AM

Jami Guess
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p.1 #5 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

I would suggest looking into stock20.com, they have some pretty nice music for purchase and you don't have to worry about the royalty issues .

Jul 23, 2008 at 03:19 AM

cjsteen
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p.1 #6 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

You always barter his slideshow if he would allow you to use some of his recorded piano music? That way you would have legal music to use for other slideshows.

Jul 23, 2008 at 03:23 AM

Josh Evilsizor
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p.1 #7 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

my suggestion.. find a local musician and offer to trade some photo's for some rights to use his music in your slideshow.

Jul 23, 2008 at 05:14 PM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #8 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Josh Evilsizor wrote:
my suggestion.. find a local musician and offer to trade some photo's for some rights to use his music in your slideshow.
I think this needs some clarification. If you're talking about music he composed that he performs, you're OK. If he performs music in the public domain, you're OK.

If, however, he performs copyrighted music (which even includes "Happy Birthday to You"), then you're still in violation.

I appreciate the OP wanting to do the right thing.

Doug

Jul 23, 2008 at 07:58 PM

cecesdada
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p.1 #9 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Check out

www.triplescoopmusic.com.

They have some great royalty free music for a small fee.

Please don't use the commercial music without proper licenses or permission. To me using the music w/o permission makes you no better then someone that downloads pictures off your website and makes copies of them.

Stealing is stealing.

Edited on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:47 PM

Jul 23, 2008 at 09:47 PM

Josh Evilsizor
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p.1 #10 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

dmacmillan wrote:
Josh Evilsizor wrote:
my suggestion.. find a local musician and offer to trade some photo's for some rights to use his music in your slideshow.
I think this needs some clarification. If you're talking about music he composed that he performs, you're OK. If he performs music in the public domain, you're OK.

If, however, he performs copyrighted music (which even includes "Happy Birthday to You"), then you're still in violation.

I appreciate the OP wanting to do the right thing.

Doug

sorry I assumed when I said "his music" it would be understood I meant original music.

Jul 24, 2008 at 01:52 PM

wassphoto
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p.1 #11 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciated it and everything is clear to me now.
I never intented to steal otherwise I wouldn't come here and ask the question. I'm also a musician myself and I know what that means. Unfortunately, I can't use my own music cause the instrument I play is no good for slideshows

Thanks again
Wass

Jul 25, 2008 at 06:33 PM

stockriderman
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p.1 #12 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

Jami Guess wrote:
I would suggest looking into stock20.com, they have some pretty nice music for purchase and you don't have to worry about the royalty issues .

Those sites have the crappiest music on the planet! When I am looking for a music for my site, I want something good. Maybe someone famous. Not some nobody,with no voice and talent playing instruments. I am sorry if you can't see the difference. My wife and I come from music background and stuff they have on those royaltee free sites isn't' worth a penny

Jul 25, 2008 at 06:37 PM

McGrattan
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p.1 #13 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

If you know you're way around a guitar or piano, you'd be amazed at what a quality microphone and garageband can accomplish. I'll eventually be scoring a slideshow for my portfolio site. Too bad I'm such a slacker

Jul 25, 2008 at 07:07 PM

eddyboy
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p.1 #14 · Background music on a Wedding slideshow DVD

stockriderman wrote:
Jami Guess wrote:
I would suggest looking into stock20.com, they have some pretty nice music for purchase and you don't have to worry about the royalty issues .

Those sites have the crappiest music on the planet! When I am looking for a music for my site, I want something good. Maybe someone famous. Not some nobody,with no voice and talent playing instruments. I am sorry if you can't see the difference. My wife and I come from music background and stuff they have on those royaltee free sites isn't' worth a penny

You can use many published songs under closely limited license.. it'll only cost you $300/year or more.

Jul 26, 2008 at 08:23 AM


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