Is a song that is offered by the artist for Free PodSafe?

[chiakiplay]

Hello,

I have a question. If a song is offered by the artist's official site as a free mp3 download, does that translate to PodSafe Music? Can I play it on my Podcast?

Thank you.

[EndGamePR]

Hello,

I have a question. If a song is offered by the artist's official site as a free mp3 download, does that translate to PodSafe Music? Can I play it on my Podcast?

Thank you.
Possibly, but probably not. They're likely offering it as free for personal use ... not royalty or copyright free.

[chiakiplay]

Thank you for the response.
Best Regards.

Its the new track from Judas Priest's new album that is coming out this summer. (Nostradamus)

[DailySplice]

Does anyone have the official word on when it becomes illegal to play a clip from a copyrighted work in your podcast? When I was working at ChinesePod (a 50+ employee sized business based around a podcast) I asked our main media authority (an American ex-radio dude) the same question and he told me "under 30 second clips are legal", and I've just kind of went on that every since. But now as trying to come up with a good audio signature for our own podcast I thought I better make sure before I get myself in trouble.

[EndGamePR]

The best rule of thumb is the only music that's absolutely safe is...

1) Music that was composed for your podcast
2) Music found at sites like Podsafe Music Network where the artist has voluntarily agreed to allow podcasters to use it.

Using anything else, unless you pay the licensing fees, puts you at risk.

[WyethDigital]

Does anyone have the official word on when it becomes illegal to play a clip from a copyrighted work in your podcast? When I was working at ChinesePod (a 50+ employee sized business based around a podcast) I asked our main media authority (an American ex-radio dude) the same question and he told me "under 30 second clips are legal", and I've just kind of went on that every since. But now as trying to come up with a good audio signature for our own podcast I thought I better make sure before I get myself in trouble.

The problem with taking advice from radio-experienced people is that their licensing experience comes from that perspective (if they've even got an accurate picture of it at all). The problem is that AS(s)CAP/BMI have different licenses for different uses and even different markets. National radio broadcasts operate under a different license than local radio, which operates under a different one than movies or TV shows.

In general, if we're talking online media (especially indie media), the "30 seconds is ok" rule is a myth. Of course, to be busted you have to be caught. Unless someone reports you, or you're really unlucky, you can probably get away with it. Of course, that's not legal, so why risk it?

Eric

[Yotto]

The best rule of thumb is the only music that's absolutely safe is...

1) Music that was composed for your podcast
2) Music found at sites like Podsafe Music Network where the artist has voluntarily agreed to allow podcasters to use it.


3) The music is clearly marked, either on the artist's website or in the song's MP3 tags, as creative commons or some open license, or the artist specifically says that you can play it on your podcast.

IOW, ask permission! You'd be surprised how many artists will give it. Judas Priest is likely an exception to this because they don't (for all I know) own the rights to their own music.

[TheBeanCast]

3) The music is clearly marked, either on the artist's website or in the song's MP3 tags, as creative commons or some open license, or the artist specifically says that you can play it on your podcast.

IOW, ask permission! You'd be surprised how many artists will give it. Judas Priest is likely an exception to this because they don't (for all I know) own the rights to their own music.

On this note, I make it a policy to inform and ask permission to use a song even if it is podsafe. The musicians REALLY appreciate this and they may even have specific requests for how they would like to be credited.

It really comes down to the fact that nothing is really "free." The artists have an investment in their work. Even if they make a song creative commons, it still is their work and deserves our respect. And if we want to continue seeing artists make their work free, we need to show them that respect.

Just MHO.

Bob

[WyethDigital]

It really comes down to the fact that nothing is really "free." The artists have an investment in their work. Even if they make a song creative commons, it still is their work and deserves our respect. And if we want to continue seeing artists make their work free, we need to show them that respect.

Just MHO.

Bob
Agree completely!

Eric

[danosongs]

No, usually free just implies for personal listening and not commercial use. Look for creative commons or podsafe music. Try Googling those terms. Check out Magnature and my site for creative commons music too.