The internet has changed, and it’s no longer acceptable to just upload your demo to any website and start “selling” your voice without the correct copyright “music” clearance.
The use of music in Voice Demos has been a “grey” area for many years, but now it’s becoming clearer that as the internet is expanding, there are certain basic rules that must be followed unless you want to get into serious trouble and end up paying a BIG fine for “taking a risk” and thinking no one will find you. The internet IS a big place and due to new technology, it’s now a lot easier to find “unlicensed” music used in Voice Demos.
Companies are now targeting voice over artists regarding their demos, and the websites that host voice over demos, for unauthorized use of music. These companies are sending letters and emails to voice artists and website owners regarding music on demos that have not been properly licensed, and requesting substantial statutory damage payments under the U.S. & U.K Copyright Act for infringement. Some music library companies allow free personal use of its music and sound effects library, but NOT for profit-making purposes or web broadcast.
So how can you put your demo on your website without getting in trouble?
Introducing FreePlay Music
The Freeplay Music Library, is a comprehensive collection of High End Broadcast production music spanning all the popular musical genres, now available for use on voiceover demos if the correct license is acquired. And guess what? – we have that LICENSE!
We’ve paid for an exclusive Voice Over Demo License from Freeplay Music that allows us and our clients ( you ) to record a voice over demo with internet copyright clearance. In other words, our license ( unlike other UK demo companies ) allows you to record a demo with us and put it on your website without being sued. – Phew!
If you decide to record with any other UK voiceover demo company, Please make sure they have a license to use their music on the web.
How do they know I have recorded a Demo with you that allows me to use it on my website?
We have thought long and hard about how to let Freeplay know that having recorded your demo with us you are allowed to put it on the web with no consequences. Remember, even though we pay for a license that allows web use, without their permission you may be liable for a $5,000 instant fine unless you are on their “list” and prove you have recorded your demo with us. Once on this list they know you are covered by our license and FREE form any extra costs. Nice and simple.
What if I decide to take the risk and not ask to be on this list?
Well it’s up to you, if you are not on “THE LIST” then you will receive an email like this:
“Since you do not have an agreement with our company, any unlicensed uses of the Freeplay Music library in your web video/podcast content infringe on our copyrights and violate other of our rights. That said, we would like to find a way to resolve this matter. To begin with, simply removing the video(s)/podcast(s) from the current location will not be enough to resolve this matter, nor will it alleviate any liability incurred as a result of the violation of our copyrights.
However, in an effort to resolve this issue in an expeditious manner without the need for further cost or time spent, we are happy to provide a retroactive license fee of $2,500, per web video/podcast, to cover the prior uses of these copyrights in the specific web video(s)/podcast(s) referenced above through the date of payment, which will also include a “grace period” of five (5) business days from the date of payment during which the video(s)/podcast(s) could remain at its current location before being removed or replaced (Option #1).
If you prefer not to remove the video(s)/podcast(s) and instead will keep the video(s)/podcast(s) active at the current location in perpetuity (forever), we would be willing to grant those rights for an additional fee of US $2,500 per web video/podcast, which will make the total fee for the retroactive license plus the license in perpetuity US $5,000 per web video/podcast (Option #2). If there are other videos/podcasts of a similar nature not identified in this e-mail, we ask that those uses also be disclosed and resolved immediately.
If either of the above settlement options are acceptable, please respond to this e-mail stating your acceptance of the option(s) and remit payment as follows. We accept payment by credit card using the attached acceptance form, PayPal (click ‘Pay Now’ below) or by check made payable to Freeplay Music, LLC and sent to the address listed below. Once we have received your payment, we will generate a corresponding license agreement for your signature.
Please note, the above settlement offer is valid for one week only. If this matter is not fully resolved within such timeframe then the above offer will no longer be valid and we will be forced to consider our other legal remedies”.
OK – I get it, how do I make sure I am on their list PLEASE!!!!
We like to keep it nice and simple here at The Showreel, so we’ve made it really easy to get on their “Copyright FREE Music List”. Once you have recorded your demo with us, all you have to do is:
- Put “Music supplied by FreePlay Music.com & covered by the Internet license held by The Showreel.com” & their Logo on your website when possible.
- Fill in the short form below to let FreePlay know you are putting your demo on the internet so you are on their “list”
Remember, all the music you have on your demo is copyright FREE so there is no need to panic. This process is just to let FreePlay know that you are covered by our license. ????
Follow these 2 simple steps & fill in the form below, and you can rest assured you will be totally within your rights to upload your Voice Demo to your website without receiving the “scary” email above. But you MUST fill in this form if you recorded a Demo with us.