COPYRIGHT
INFRINGEMENT NOTICE
FEDERAL LAW PROVIDES SEVERE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR
THE UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION OR EXHIBITION
OF COPYRIGHTED WORKS. CRIMINAL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
IS INVESTIGATED BY THE FBI AND MAY CONSTITUTE A FELONY
WITH A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND/OR
A $250,000.00 FINE.
If you are not the person who wrote the music and/or words of the
song you wish to record and publish for resale, then you must obtain a license
from the copyright owner(s) to record and publish the song in question. You
should take the following action:
1. Contact the copyright owner if you know and explain the purpose for the
recording and selling his copyrighted work -- you might be able to work out
an agreed royalty rate per song which may be cheaper than obtaining a "compulsory
license".
2. If you do not know the copyright owner, then you can call one or more of
the following companies to obtain this information:
a) Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) (212) 586-2000, or visit their website
at www.bmi.com;
b) American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) (212) 621-6160;
c) The Harry Fox Agency, (212) 370-5330, or visit their website at www.nmpa.org;
d) the Gospel Music Association, (615) 242-0303; and/or
e) the Country Music Association, (615) 244-2840.
3. If the copyright owner will not give you a license, then you have the right
to obtain a "compulsory license" and pay a statutorily established
royalty (currently this is 8 cents per song of 5 minutes or less; each additional
minute adds 1.55 cents per song).
THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY; YOU
SHOULD OBTAIN LEGAL COUNSEL IF YOU INTEND TO PUBLISH AND SELL MUSIC, WHETHER
YOUR OWN OR SOMEONE ELSE'S. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF
CURE!!!
STONE WALL STUDIO® REQUIRES THAT
YOU ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH COPYRIGHT LAWS!!!
