Videographer question

I haven't seen that before. Usually videographers have a library of music that you can choose from. That's what mine had.

My videographer didn't even ask me what songs I wanted- he just put on a track and luckily I liked it! I'd ask the videographer themselves how to do it.

I not surprised. Copyrights and illegal use of copyrighted music has become a hot button issue. Back in the day before the internet and social media when videographers shot a wedding video and put music to it, he/she would hand over a VHS tape and perhaps a few people would watch it. No one would really know that copyrighted music was used. Now with the internet and everyone posting their videos on social media and You Tube, the videos are being seen by hundreds, and very possibly thousands of people. Videographers can get sued for using music that they have not gotten the rights to use. Those rights cost thousands of dollars. Even music that is considered public domain can't be used since the song itself is in PD, but the recording of it by an orchestra may be copyrighted. I believe that if the video captures the band or DJ playing a song, that's okay (I'm not a lawyer so don't quote me on this), but they legally cannot add music to your video without the rights. I do believe that there are companies that pre-negotiate a "sync license" that videographers can pay for and have access to a library of songs they can use. If they haven't done this and use copyrighted music, they can get sued and lose their business.

Yep! Check out: https://www.harryfox.com/

Depends on how you plan to use or distribute the final product, but in general, the legalities involved in using songs written by (gasp!) actual humans are relatively complex!

Thank you for all your help, that was just a little weird to me. I understand that copyright of music exists, as the artists deserve their cut! I just honestly hadn’t even considered to think that that was a thing in regards to wedding videography 😵 I emailed the videographer directly to get a better idea what this means and would be expected on my behalf. Hopefully it’s not as complicated as it sounds to me haha

View Quoted Comment Thank you for attaching that site, that certainly helps me out!

I learned the same. I was told you can choose any song you want as long as you don't post your video anywhere. No Facebook or YouTube. It's almost impossible to get permission to use the song and share it. That's why most wedding vids just have the generic music over them. Its disappointing. I had my heart set on a song.

View Quoted Comment It’s not impossible...just depends on the songwriter. The Beatles are the most difficult to obtain access...

Yes my videographer has that in his contract and mentioned it when we initially met with him. Seems very typical. He basically finds a song/song we like and finds a similar recording of it and everything is good to go. For example, if you want a thousand years, it’s not going to be Christina perri singing it. It will be a cover. I’m cool with it!

Totally normal! I found in my research that copyrights typically cost $150. The videographer we chose has a library of songs we can choose from to avoid this. They’re more generic, instrumental songs as opposed to popular songs people use.

My videographer has copyrights to specific songs that he uses in his videos. He provides a list of the songs you wish to be used. I’m choosing g to go that route instead of dead setting on different songs and having to get a copyright.

They really should have a list of songs you can choose from instead of leaving it that open, I’d ask for more guidance on that. The copyright thing is a very big deal, I discovered that when making a slideshow video that I uploaded to YouTube. Some songs are open to use and a lot aren’t. Since videographers are selling the videos with the songs it’s even a way bigger deal, I’m pretty sure there are a lot of videographers that use songs illegally.

View Quoted Comment That’s actually not true, even if you don’t post it anywhere they still can’t use an unlicensed song. Many of them still do as there’s pretty much no chance they’ll get caught, but it’s not legal.

Well I mean I don’t know if it’s actually illegal but they can sue him.