DJing - license to distribute mixes?

[quincy]

Hey,

I've been getting into DJing recently, got some CD decks and a mixer, and going to invest in some fairly powerful MP3 DJ software i think.

So the question is, if i make a mix and want to distribute for free on the net or by CD, am i allowed? Do I need individual permission from each copyright holder, or is there a special case for mixed material etc?

I notice that on most Mix CDs that some credit or mention is always given to the people/labels involved.

Any help appreciated

[Adam_V]

Generally speaking, as long as the mix is used for promotional purposes and is not for resale you should be fine. Keep in mind that I'm talking mostly about dance music here, or music that is released on small/underground labels. In all honesty, I'm sure even bigger (ie mainstream) labels wouldn't take issue.

Licensing tracks only comes into play when you want to release a mix for commercial sale.

Hope that helps.

[[decipher]]

i live in germany so maybe the information is not really of any help to you, but i know a couple of hiphop djs who put out mixtapes regularly and even sell them on the internet and through local record stores. they always put a big "for promotional use only" on the cover. i guess most of the hiphop djs do that with mixtapes at least here in germany. this seems to be like not really illegal or legal. something in between. to absolutely be on the legal site (i know of no dj who actually ran intro problems with the "for promotional use only" thing) in germany you have to check in with the GEMA and pay some kind of license fee to use copyrighted song material on a mixtape.

[Adam_V]

To add on to what decipher said, a lot of djs do sell mixes. I can see the justification in say, covering the costs of cds / printing or whatever, although charging for a mix always sorta struck me as kinda wack, considering it is other people's music you're playing. If the amount of units you're putting out is relatively small, I'm sure there will really be no issue in terms of legality with you selling.

Here's my opinion though: The mix really should be a promotional tool to showcase the skills of the dj, and not a money-making venture in and of itself. It's a tool to get your name out there, and to get you shows, which is where a dj should be getting paid. However, the part that really pisses me off about this whole thing is that in order to get gigs there is so much arse kissing, scenesterism, and popularity games that one has to go through that it almost takes the pleasure out of the whole thing. At least that's the way it is in my locale. The funny thing is, 95% of the superstar dj's that I see play, (that is, the ones that are really making the money) are half-arsed, no talent, hands-waving-in-the-air hacks. Anyways (sorry for the little digression there), djing is a lot of fun and the place where I feel most at home in the club environment. It's a hobby that can get fairly costly though, once you start getting really addicted to vinyl. Have fun.

[nocompromise]

It is illegal. Just cos a lot of DJs do it doesn't make it legal. Distributing them on the net is a no no too. Doesn't matter that you've got 'For Promotional Purposes Only' on it either. You are only allowed so many promotional copies anyway.
You need permission from each copyright owner.

Having clarified the legal position. Who gives a shit. Do what you want.

[quincy]

I find it hard to believe that any record label or artist would take issue. Lets face it, if i provide a full track listing and credit to each artist, its just free promotion for them. They've got nothing to lose.

Anyway i'm not gonna do it, lke, tommorow man. These things take time