I want to do an online music store / library. This store will contain streaming audio and video. However users can not download any media. I’m not selling them or put any advertisements in music pages. They can enjoy songs at anytime without registering. My question is this. What is the law associated with digital streaming media? Do I have to take any permission from the authors or artists to publish their songs in my site? Or can I just publish any. If the artist is dead what is the situation? Thanks in advice.
I believe the fair use rule allows you to add a couple of secs for streaming but it would be best if you ask. Check this out http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/index.html As for your other question, the works get into public domain after 70 years of the death of the copyright owner. http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter8/8-a.html#1
Yeah, every dead artist has an estate, meaning people who still benefit from their works. Did you know Elvis still makes like 50 million a year? Not a bad income for a dead guy. Like Eddy said, after 70 years it becomes public domain. I saved a ton of money on college books by knowing this... Also, as for the streaming media, royalties must be paid.
Write to the song owners, they may allow you to use their music on your site especially if they are lesser known and the publicity would help their career.
is that only if you make money off selling auido streams etc like internet radio etc? or would i have to pay royalties for each sale if you can play a sample of the song b4 you buy on my site?
I used to own a record shop and when playing music in the shop I had to pay a yearly fee for a licence. I looked into selling records online and I think as long as the music samples are broken into 30 sec parts its OK licenece wise. If you want to play constant music online (like online radio) again I'm pretty sure you can get a yearly licence, as going to each individual artist is pretty impossible. Finally if you are wanting to do something like iTunes, you will have to pay a fee on each song sold. All fee's normally get paid to the music licence regulator in your country and they deal with sharing it all out. **Disclaimer** I may be wrong on some parts.
How would i go about getting a yearly licence, would it be for all/any music i want to play? and how would i go about setting up a store like itunes legaly would that licence cover me ? what else would be involved?! Thanks
If you looking to setup a store simular to iTunes then you will have to pay a fee on each and every song sold. AFAIK Nothing more nothing less. What country are you in?
Its all in my post above, to have an online radio free or not you will need a licence, normally paid yearly, also, they are not cheap.
im in the us would i have to negoiate this fee with each artist /label etc? is there a ezier way to get artist products in the store?without contacting each artist etc
All fee's normally get paid to the music licence regulator in your country and they deal with sharing it all out.