Online radio - Leagl issues of playing songs?!
Question: Hi, if I was to start an online radio station, what are the Legal issues of playing copyrighted songs (only being streamed).
Answers: Hi, if I was to start an online radio station, what are the Legal issues of playing copyrighted songs (only being streamed).
you have to pay two entities, one is soundexchange (on behalf of riaa - the labels) and then also prs (performing rights societies) that would be ascap and bmi (sesac too sort of). best to go with live 365 or something like that.,
you will need to pay royalty both for the composition and the recording. RIAA collects for the recording and requires a minimum of $500 up-front and a very extensive requirement for records which include info on every listner of every play. I believe that ASCAP/BMI exempts small non-profit stations from performance royalty, but check their websites to be certain.
Lare's right. Soundscan will get you if you don't watch out! I have a friend with a professional country stream. #1 in national US hits and he may have to drop it becaus of the tariff. It's very expesive - not for the faint of heart - or broke ;<)
-a guy named duh