Music Release Forms

[Anton Kozikowski]

Hey fellow Writers, Producers, Directors,

I am working with a couple of well known musical groups from around the country who have offered to release their music for film usage. The release allows me to feature their music in an action drama I'm working on titled "Wild Horses." The film will be ready for Sundance and Toronto around mid August.
Can anyone recommend comprehensive release forms which cover both mechanical and publishing rights for film festivals?

Thanks,

Anton

[Ester Brym]

Hi:
You should first double check that the bands indeed own all the rights to their music. If any of their songs were ever published, it is mostlikely they share the copyright with the recording label. There are 2 rights you should worry about, the performing rights, which are the ones that band can moslikely give out and then the rights to the actual songs. Those are usually owned by whoever publishes the song. You need a release from both parties :)
If you are only concerned about festival rights, these are usually given for a smaller price and it should be stated in the release that they don't apply for distribution.
Cheers,
Ester

[Anton Kozikowski]

Great! Thanks for the feedback!!

Ester Brym said:

Hi:
You should first double check that the bands indeed own all the rights to their music. If any of their songs were ever published, it is mostlikely they share the copyright with the recording label. There are 2 rights you should worry about, the performing rights, which are the ones that band can moslikely give out and then the rights to the actual songs. Those are usually owned by whoever publishes the song. You need a release from both parties :)
If you are only concerned about festival rights, these are usually given for a smaller price and it should be stated in the release that they don't apply for distribution.
Cheers,
Ester

[Edward Peghin]

In addition, hire an attorney who UNDERSTANDS music law - this is a very tricky area and you do not want to make any mistakes.