my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Ground Level   » Non-Sync Radio (Page 1)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Author Topic: Non-Sync Radio Dane Cash Film Handler Posts: 15 From: Hereford, Texas, Usa Registered: Dec 2003 posted 09-19-2005 08:11 PM                    Please forgive me if this has been discussed somewhere else, but I searched and didn't find it. Perhaps I didn't search with the right terms. But I was wondering If its legal to play a local radio station as non-sync music? .. I know grocery stores and other businesses do over loudspeakers and such. But I didn't know if there were different laws for a movie theater. Again Sorry if this has been discussed before.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 09-19-2005 08:32 PM                     ..might get in trouble with ASCAP and BMI with rebroadcasting radio music as non-sync music, and they can post pretty heavy fines if caught if no royalties are being paid. ..yet I've seen many-a-theatres rebroadcast radio stations for the public. Big time risk there. Grocery Stores and other merchant venues have paid royalties, or using wireless broadcast companies who themselves have paid royalties such as XMRadio and Sirrus, for such broadcasts to BMI and ASCAP for permission, since they are being monitored by checkers of these two music associations. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-19-2005 08:47 PM                        If you're in a small town, I'd go for it until you get caught. As a safety net, subscribe to MovieTunes and keep the CD (in player) handy in your booth, that way if the music cops show up, you can tell'em that your projectionist accidentally turned the switch to the wrong position. PS: I'm not a lawyer and the above should NOT be considered legal or even reliable advice, and was posted for entertainment purposes only, even if it is a good idea (and I'm not saying it is).  |  IP: Logged Dane Cash Film Handler Posts: 15 From: Hereford, Texas, Usa Registered: Dec 2003 posted 09-19-2005 08:47 PM                    Thanks, certainly don't wanna get fined cuz I'm sure they're quite steep. As far as paying royalties goes, would actually paying the radio station be considered that, or would I have to go through ASCAP or BMI? I just hate movietunes and such and would rather have local radio stations that the customers can relate to more than movietunes that plays music that you certainly wouldn't hear on the VMAs. And I don't know much about Sirrus or XM but Perhaps that would be a better choice.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-19-2005 08:50 PM                        OK, now this is a serious reply. You can't pay royalties direct to the radio station. You would have to buy a license from ASCAP and BMI (both) in order to play the radio station, legally, in your theatre. I don't know how much those licenses cost but I've heard it's very expensive. If you subscribe to XM or Sirius, you will pay a monthly fee (I'm not sure about Sirius, but for XM it's $27.95) for a commercial account, and that amount takes care of all your ASCAP and BMI fees.  |  IP: Logged Dane Cash Film Handler Posts: 15 From: Hereford, Texas, Usa Registered: Dec 2003 posted 09-19-2005 08:56 PM                    Thanks for your help. Yeah I do live in a small town, but im not quite willing to be sued or fined heavily cuz of that. And of course competition might actually become smart and realize its against the law, course thats a Big Might .. heh  |  IP: Logged Mike Williams Master Film Handler Posts: 255 From: Knoxville, TN Registered: Feb 2002 posted 09-20-2005 03:27 PM                     XM has a subscription package that is designed for businesses. It is a bit more expensive (I think $24 a month) but it takes care of the license issue.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-20-2005 04:39 PM                        ...which I said 3 posts ago. (It's $27.95 a month, which I also said up there.)  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 09-20-2005 06:36 PM                        Yes, the XM deal is priced right and, if you can't find suitable program material, you are too choosy. Louis  |  IP: Logged Mike Williams Master Film Handler Posts: 255 From: Knoxville, TN Registered: Feb 2002 posted 09-20-2005 08:25 PM                     quote: Mike Blakesley ...which I said 3 posts ago. (It's $27.95 a month, which I also said up there.) Sorry Mike.. I must have spaced out.  |  IP: Logged Eric Hooper Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 532 From: Fort Worth, TX, USA Registered: May 2003 posted 09-21-2005 12:30 PM                     A local gym near me just plays the radio over their intercom sound system... There is/was always a fight over the stations.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-21-2005 02:47 PM                        The BMI and ASCAP people are constantly trying to shut down all playing of radio stations or CDs in public places. They're fighting a losing battle, and the whole thing is complete nonsense.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-21-2005 02:52 PM                        Agreed with Mike. As long as you aren't advertising the music or selling tickets to listen to music, I don't see what the fuss is about playing the radio in a public space. If anything, the radio stations should be happy about it because it gives them more listeners; ASCAP et al. should also be happy about it because more listeners=more exposure for their music (and likely increased record sales). And hasn't the music already been licensed by the radio station, anyway?  |  IP: Logged Don Sneed Master Film Handler Posts: 451 From: Texas City, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 09-21-2005 10:56 PM                        When I was in the background music business installing sound systems for stores, restaurants, Dr. offices ect...I was involve with ASCAP & BMI...the fine was $2,500.00 per song played over the system while ASCAP/BMI rep. was there listening to it, usually they listen to 10 songs played...but they first come & warn you about their services, if the owner refuse to sign an agreement with ASCAP/BMI, they will warn him again, if still refuse then the fine starts & a court date is held...I been involve as a paid witness to several of these lawsuites...believe me ASCAP & BMI always win !! best bet is to sign with a background music supply company for a low monthly fee & the supplier paid the ASCAP/BMI fees at a flat rate....ASCAP/BMI charges by the seating, people count, how many speakers being play through, & square footage of the building, if signing ASCAP/BMI it can be a expenive ordeal...the way around it is sign up through a local music supplier such as Muzax... now this was 10 yrs ago, maybe it change a bit...  |  IP: Logged Dane Cash Film Handler Posts: 15 From: Hereford, Texas, Usa Registered: Dec 2003 posted 09-23-2005 12:02 AM                    As far as my thinking goes, As Long as you get it ok'ed by the radio stations you want played, then you wouldn't think that ASCAP or BMI could do anything about it. Perhaps if you play a station without their approval then maybe they could fine and whatnot. With all the legal stuff out there 2day, I'm surprised you don't have to have a license to legally breathe air.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.