Wedding music copyrights

[Skodster]

Here's an interesting one!

I have often read peoples questions relating to music copyright when it is included in productions that are not generally for public consumption for example, wedding video's.

I came across this interesting snippet when registering for the IOV. It discusses the copyright law if you video a scene where the music is in the background and not specifically added to the track, for instance the 'first dance' of a newly wedded couple.

http://www.iov.co.uk/showarticle.pl?id=4202

It is interesting that they deem the music at a wedding reception to be a 'feature' which means that you have to seek permission from the artist or record company to publish.

What views have we on this?

[Andy Lockwood]

I think the IOV's proposal is wholly sensible. Which is why it will most likely be ignored by the MCPS and the PPL. I wouldn't mind betting that 99% of people that produce videos ignore the current rules and regs because either

1. They cost too much
2. The licenses are confusing to apply for and generally a pain in the butt to know you've got the right one (or as the IOV note, two)
3. Why bother when no one polices the system anyway.

Whilst I totally agree that a musicain or composer should be rewarded for their (sometimes) hard work, as the IOV note, a cue sheet is rarely required for work, so how does the actual artist get the reward.

The current system is farcical and the IOV should be congratulated for taking a lead in sorting it out.