How do you get copyright permission for a song?

Answer 1

You will need identify the rights holder and compose an email/fax/snail mail that should include at least these elements...

1) Identify yourself
2) Identify the work you want to use
3) Describe the use you are going to make of the work and ask permission

Answer 2

You will need identify the rights holder and compose an email/fax/snail mail that should include at least these elements...

1) Identify yourself
2) Identify the work you want to use
3) Describe the use you are going to make of the work and ask permission to use it

Answer 3

For your own performance of a protected song, the organization to ask depends on the use.

To perform: the performing rights agency, ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC (in the US)

To record: usually the Harry Fox Agency, although some publishers license directly

To use in a visual presentation: go directly to the publisher

To find the publisher, either look on the bottom of the first page of music, or search the databases at ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and HFA.

For someone else's performance of a protected song, you will need "master rights" in addition to the above rights. Master rights are generally handled by the record label directly, although there are a few agencies who will do the paperwork for you.

Answer 4

There are three things you need to do. First you have to determine if the music is still under copyright protection. Second, if protected, you have to find out who the current copyright holder is. Third, you will need to contact the rights holder and request permission.

Answer 5

There are three things you need to do. First you have to determine is the song is still under copyright protection. Second, if protected, you have to find out who the current copyright holder is. Third, you will need to contact the rights holder and request permission.

Answer 6

It depends on your proposed use.

To perform the work, you (or the venue) should get a license from a performing rights organization, such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

To adapt or arrange the work, you would need permission from the print rights administrator, often Hal Leonard or Alfred.

To record the work, you may get a license from the Harry Fox Agency, which handles mechanical licensing for more than 35,000 publishers.

To use the work in a video project, you would need a synchronization license from the publisher of the underlying work, as well as a master use license from the record label.

Some of these licenses can be handled quickly through web forms; others may take months of negotiation.

Answer 7

You (or the venue you're performing in) need a license from the performing rights organization that handles the song. In the US, this is usually ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.