Top Gear Music clearance

[topgear]

Since I'm in the middle of choosing music for my upcoming Top Gear film, I was wondering (specifically bbc.co.uk/topgear guy) how the BBC goes about getting rights to all the music they use? I mean for example, the US tv show 'WKRP in Cincinnati' had to have a lot of its music redubbed in later years when the broadcast rights expired and the new owners of the show (Fox) chose not to spend the money to renew those songs.

Summary here:http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,66696,00.html

It may be different in the uk, maybe top gear can use bits of song without having to find the original license holder. Hell, maybe I can do the same, but I want to have my best chance of some chunk of this production making it to the show, and I wouldn't want something dumb like this to screw it up.

I'm planning to use some stuff from independents in the US, like "Bitchin' Camaro" from the Dead Milkmen, "Chrysler Cordoba" from Wally Pleasant, "Waiting Room" from Fugazi, etc.

On a semi-related note, I just got a Sony PD150 pro camcorder for this project, and it's amazing! I can do just about everything you'd see in a typical Top Gear film.

 

[Shwang]

I'm not sure in the states if it is the same but if its not for profit it should be ok as long as the whole song is not used. Again I'm not sure, but I think that there is some sort of limit in seconds like 15 seconds or something. Basically I don't think it should be a problem? Are you sending it into Top Gear to try and get it on air? My old school used music all the time in sports highlights and it wasn't a problem, but I don't know.

If you want to be sure, about legality, see a copyright lawyer, but you said that you wanted to use independent artists songs, so try emailing them and see if they approve of you using their stuff and that might be enough.

Its worth a shot, and an email doesn't take long.

I hope this helps.

 

[Dr. Blau]

I don't know how it works in Great Britain but I suppose they use a similar system like the one here in Sweden.

Here you pay a standard fee set by the type of program.
The fee is a per-second-price and a minimum price. For instance for a program of TopGear's type the price would be about $2 per second with a minimum fee of $25.

The large stations have special contracts with the organization that handles this, and I think that would apply to the BBC too if they use this system.

That means that you wouldn't have to bother with the fees, the BBC - as the broadcaster - handles this.
It's up to them if they decide to air you segment. The originator of the music will be payed.

 

[moo]

Briefly, the BBC have an agreement with the relevant bodies for clearance of music so they can use certain amounts of each song.

Alot of large broadcasters have these sorts of agreements so they dont have to run around searching for obscure artists to clear music.

So that's how it works pretty much - not very exciting

 

[GraemeH]

Well it's a BBC show, and since BBC radio has the agreements to play any songs they want, i figured the shows use of songs fall under the same agreement.

 

[Webmonkey]

Its all very dependant on the rights holder. Some musicians will not allow their music to be used on a show, because they think it will associate the song with a product.

U2 are a very good example of this, they often refuse to let their music get used for this sort of thing.

Here is an extract from one of our documents:

The process involved in clearance of recordings for background non contentious use for UK/Eire TV or for World TV (duration under 45 secs) is relatively quick and easy.

If it is a programme requirement that you need to clear for World TV (over 45 seconds) or Home video/dvd, Music Copyright will need the following details by fax or email in order to clear discs for you:

1) whether the programme is a independent/co-production/joint co-production with Worldwide or purely BBC, as this may affect the clearance situation

2) the title of the programme

3) the record label and number (if you are using a track from a compilation disc of various artists, we need the original label and number the track was released on and not the compilation details ? this information can be found next to the track title in the CD booklet ? if in doubt ask Music Copyright)

4) the title of the track and artist

5) the duration to be used (most companies allow a maximum of 5 minutes from any one disc under the blanket agreement)

6) an accurate description of the context of use ie, whether it is visual or background and what is happening on-screen while the music is being used. It is imperative you give as much information as possible as record companies and artists may be unhappy to allow their product in certain contexts (some difficulties have been encountered in the past where the use described in the clearance process differs markedly to that which appears on screen).

Music Copyright will then let you know what clearances have been obtained, whether there are any restrictions on the territories or media you require, or if any fees are payable..

Full details of the records you use must be included on the Music Reporting form.

If you use uncleared discs in your programme, these will have to be redubbed for overseas sale. This can also affect the clearances given by record companies for future programmes.

You may notice the international bit, the BBC World version rarely contains copyrighted music, instead a replacement track is used.

As a matter of interest, in the UK the intro theme for both "House" and "Las Vegas" have been switched from Massive Attack and Elvis to generic music.

 

[Electrastar~Indochine]

And yet, whenever I hear Beautiful Day, I immediately think of premiership football. Hmmmmm. :lol:

 

[ranger_dood]

Vertigo makes me think of iPods.... I hate that song.

 

[topgear]

Ok, I'm working on clearing the indie stuff, so far Wally Pleasant says "great idea, good luck." I'll forward the small band clearances to the BBC when I send the DVDs.
One PAL, one NTSC.

I'll be using some clips that I've already heard on the show, so I'm not too worried there. Just trying to cover my posterior in this ever more insane copyrights hell...

Thanks for clarifying the process.