I remember reading a thread on here a while ago (which I can't find now) about licenses for creating CDs and DVDs of students' performances. I think there was a link on there to a website which gave more information about who needs licenses, which ones to get, how to get them etc- can anyone tell me what the website might be? I've done a few google searches but can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

Thanks!

Unless Classic FM is going to bradcast your CD, you don't need to license anything to anyone.

I'm afraid that's not true at all. You will require some form of PRS/MCPS/PPL licence for making such recordings or films.

You'll need to look at this page on the PRS website to see which licence suits your needs http://www.prsformusic.com/users/recordedm...es/default.aspx In most cases, a Limited Use licence is sufficient http://www.prsformusic.com/users/recordedm...icence(LM).aspx The cost is dependent on how many copies you're intending to make, how much music is on them and whether you're using recorded backing tracks (this is the PPL element).

Yes. Seer Green is right. I get an LM license each term to make dvds of that term's concert. It's really easy and not too expensive. The cost depends on
a) how many minutes of copyrighted music you're using. So if it's all Beethoven sonatas then you don't need a license
B) how many copies you're making
C) it's twice as much if you're also using recordings (with the exception of backing tracks) So karaoke is fine but clips of a disco isn't

Check out Seer Green's link above and you can see all the details

That's wonderful, thank you for your help.

I'm afraid Seer Green is NOT right. The PRS is simply a private organisation which ensures its own members get fairly remunerated when their work gets performed. If you are making your own CDs they have nothing to do with this.

No, I think you are mistaken and Seer Green is correct.

I've obtained the licence when I've made a CD of a students' concert. As Express Yourself states, it's quite straightforward.

My understanding of this is the same as Seer Green's.

So if my students and I decide to make a CD for a bit of fun on which we all play, and we all make the CD together in one of our houses I have to pay someone? And we don't even sell the CD? No way!

They won't refuse you a lincense if you don't need one. It's like TV, you can get a license even if you haven't got one.

They are simply a private company who collect royalties on behalf of their members. If there are no royalties to collect you don't need a license.

If there are no royalties due then you don't need a license. But royalties are due if you perform a copyright piece of music in public and also if you produce a cd or DVD of copyrighted music.

If you're just making it at home for personal use then they probably don't care. But strictly speaking even compilation tapes are subject to copyright.

If you don't want to pay then either write your own songs or use old stuff that's out of copyright

And, unsurprisingly, quite a bit of the money never makes it to their members...

I'm not sure that's strictly true. PRS state "We are owned by and accountable to our members. After deducting the costs of running our organisation, all the income we receive from licence fees is distributed back to our members." If the money received is going on anything other than costs or being paid out to members, then that seems to indicate some sort of dodgy accounting which I'm not sure is what you're suggesting

Whether members receive money is dependent on a lot of other things, but I don't see any reason why members shouldn't receive the money which is due to them.

Just checked the accounts: over 10% goes on administration. (Edit: they don't say how much of this goes on self-publicity...) (Edit 2: 20% of the money distributed doesn't go to members, but to 'affiliated societies', and I'm having trouble finding out who they are?)

Note that it's only necessary to have a licence if dealing with music which is both in copyright and the copyright belongs to a PRS member. Granted, the vast majority of published sheet music will come under this, but the PRS try to give the impression that there's some automatic legal obligation to have a licence for the reproduction of any copyright music. If it is outside of the PRS remit, one needs to obtain the permission of the copyright holder directly.