Videos and DVD's

"…here is danger…"

• Mechanical/compulsory laws do NOT apply to video or DVD's!
• Any individual who records copyrighted songs on video or DVD must get permission from and pay synchronization license fees to the copyright owners. (A synchronization fee allows fixing the music with the video or DVD.)
• In addition to synchronization fees, it may be necessary to pay royalties (equivalent to mechanical fees) on each video or DVD distributed. These fees are often combined…but not always!
• Synchronization fees are negotiated one-by-one with copyright owners.
  Owners may:

  1. Allow the right to record their song(s) free of charge. (Very unlikely.)
  2. Charge a small fee.
  3. Charge a large fee.
  4. Deny the right to record their song(s)!

Timing is critical. It is ALWAYS prudent to get ALL permissions before beginning a video or DVD recording session. Not to do so is to risk spending a great deal of money only to be unable to legally produce videos.