Licensing in the Digital Age: Royalty Free Versus Copyright Free

As a creator, I want to produce as much of my own content as I can. There are instances where that idea becomes impossible. Instrumentals is one of those current challenges.

I can write, craft, and publish my cover art, stories, and websites, but sometimes even a creator needs a helping hand. Since I would like to produce meaningful and engaging book trailers and presentations for my Undawnted Channel on YouTube (Please subscribe!), I have endeavored to use other musician's instrumentals to assist me. 

I have read numerous license agreements, and have purchased some music that you have already heard. Still, the royalty and copyright issues are murky at best. You can use X song if you follow these guidelines, royalty free. Yes, but I can use them for my commercial, known as a book trailer? 

The next challenge is: who is being paid for the music? The three songs I have bought so far were paid to one person, not the artist who created the song. So, I went on a fact finding mission to cut out the middleman. I emailed a couple of musicians on a site to see what royalty free means to them, and do I need to buy a lifetime license from them? Important questions. 

In the coming years, I may have to sit down and write a few songs on the computer. Yes, I have written songs in the past. With a grandfather who was a piano tuner and mover, as well as a jazz pianist, music runs in my veins. I spent a year in competitive orchestra and two years in band, playing the violin. When a string instrument was unfavorable to playing in a high school marching band, I opted for four years of choir.

Until my health supports more activity besides editing, reading, and writing, I will continue to be bounced around, uncertain as to how I can use "royalty free music." I rather purchase from the creator to ensure a legal license than using middlemen. I hope that the prices are within my budget. 

I do not want to cheat anyone, but I also like to eat. 

What it comes down to is the fine print. What does it actually say versus how I am interpreting it? 

Legalese, anyone? 

Have a great and wonderful day.

_____

Subscribe to the Undawnted Channel on YouTube. 

With mini trailers, book prevues, and presentations, there is more to come this season. We offer our Silent Movie section, if you don't want to be disturbed at work or home. There is a growing collection of videos with music, as well as music and narration.


Choose your entertainment... with Undawnted.

 

 

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together

It seems now when I actively pursue the truth, the truth in the form of facts finds me.

A very strange occurrence, but I have seen this happen before with other people. Ever since I have been on the loose looking for information, I have been amazed at what I have found. 

Before I collapsed with pesticide poisoning, I was on the search for truth and facts. Many details came to me then. However, now it seems that more people have gotten websites and blogs to link ideas together. 

For a knowledge seeker and journalist, I am so grateful. It's like getting your cake and eating it too. 

I am excited every time I do a search to see what will come to me.

It's like being psychic/medium all over again. Yeah, that's been happening too. I have been writing and searching things to see if I could put something together and make it happen. Then I find out, someone else had the same idea and is doing it. 

Absolutely amazing. 

I hope that what I am referring to comes out soon. I'm hoping by mid-March so I don't have to play word games anymore. All I will give you is the title of a book I wanted to write with presented facts about the last thirteen years in America called: The Case for Hague. 

I'll let you do your own intuiting from there.

I can't wait to see what happens in the meantime. I really hope this plan comes together.