[BC] Music In Commercials

[Rich Wood]

------ At 10:01 AM 2/1/2012, Paul B. Walker, Jr. wrote: -------

>I was pretty sure that it wasn't legal to use actual entire songs in
>commercials. I listen to one station all the time that uses actual,
>extended clips of songs in their 30 ans 60 second spots.
>
>What exactly are the rules behind the use of music/songs in commercials?

DON'T DO IT!! An ASCAP contract may allow you to use a song as a
show's theme but, unless the advertiser has licensed the song for
commercial use, you could end up spending many hours in very
expensive law offices. Been there, done that. Many songs are used
with payment and are significant income streams for artists,
songwriters, licensing organizations and their respective janitors.
Whoever sees you as having deep pockets may sue you for reducing the
commercial value of a song. The more a song is used, the less value
it has to the next advertiser. The use of a song in a commercial is
not considered fair use.

A broadcast music license does not cover music used in commercials.

Rich