What type of permission do I need to reproduce recordings?
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What type of permission do I need to reproduce recordings?
If in writing, can I have a common form drawn up to obtain permission? By way of background, my late father was a Baptist minister for 30 plus years. In his personal library is thousands of recordings of sermons, singing, and services. Some of these are even on reel to reel. And a lot of the preachers recorded are dead. Most of the recordings were “live” made by my father who was present at the service. (It was not on common for this practice) He also had a ministry that duplicated sermons for preachers to sell. I would like to put this amazing collection on a website for people to be able to purchase via download mp3, etc.
Asked on August 2, 2011 South Carolina
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The first thing you need to find out about the recordings that are in your late father's personal library are if any of the items you want to place on a website for sale are copyrighted. If not, and the recordings were all made "live" by your deceased father and the preachers who recorded are dead, you can do what you desire without written permission from their heirs.
However, if some of the recorded preachers are alive, you need to obtain their written permisison to do what you want in your business venture. If your father had a business that duplicated sermons for preachers to sell, he probably has an agreement whose template you can use for your business purposes.
Look on the internet for various forms giving permission to do what you want to do if you do not want to consult with a business attorney concerning your venture.
Good luck.
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The first thing you need to find out about the recordings that are in your late father's personal library are if any of the items you want to place on a website for sale are copyrighted. If not, and the recordings were all made "live" by your deceased father and the preachers who recorded are dead, you can do what you desire without written permission from their heirs.
However, if some of the recorded preachers are alive, you need to obtain their written permisison to do what you want in your business venture. If your father had a business that duplicated sermons for preachers to sell, he probably has an agreement whose template you can use for your business purposes.
Look on the internet for various forms giving permission to do what you want to do if you do not want to consult with a business attorney concerning your venture.
Good luck.
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