Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

Royalties, Use of IP

I am considering starting a small business taking pictures from a client and creating a slide show choreographed to music. My question is with regard to the use of the music in the creation of the slide show.

Q1:

Can I purchase a song for myself or a client then reuse it in whole or part for other clients?

Q2:

If not what would be the easiest way of resolving this?


Asked on 7/16/08, 9:05 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Re: Royalties, Use of IP

This is more of an intellectual property question, but here are some things to think about with regard to using music. First, be very, very careful. Your use of the slide show will have a great deal of bearing on what you need to do. Buying a cd does not allow you to do what you are planning to do. You will need to arrange with the copyright owner and the performer to use their music for a commercial purpose. Sometimes you will need to contact a performing rights organization such as BMI or ASCAP. There is a website which is working on offering royalty free music, but it will not be available until later this year.

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Answered on 7/16/08, 11:15 am


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