D
Darkly
Guest
What is the name of your state? NY
In 1997 I produced and directed a short film with personal funds. At the time, I hired a composer to create a soundtrack. However, for the end-title sequence I used about 60 seconds of a pre-recorded symphonic score without licensing it. The film was subsequently shown in a dozen festivals worldwide, but was never sold or licensed.
I recently decided I would try to sell the film, so I got in contact with the music publisher in the UK in a bid to find out what they would charge as a licensing fee. When they found out the film had already been screened without a license they hit the ceiling, demanding to know where it had screened so they can decide whether to charge me retroactively.
Before I send them a list of festivals, I am wondering if this would be needlessly implicating myself. My defense is the common one of being misinformed and trying now to right it. Can they pursue me for something that was screened nearly seven years ago? Can they decide their license fee is $50,000 retroactively? Is the fact that I have never made a penny from this film relevant?
Thanks for your help.
In 1997 I produced and directed a short film with personal funds. At the time, I hired a composer to create a soundtrack. However, for the end-title sequence I used about 60 seconds of a pre-recorded symphonic score without licensing it. The film was subsequently shown in a dozen festivals worldwide, but was never sold or licensed.
I recently decided I would try to sell the film, so I got in contact with the music publisher in the UK in a bid to find out what they would charge as a licensing fee. When they found out the film had already been screened without a license they hit the ceiling, demanding to know where it had screened so they can decide whether to charge me retroactively.
Before I send them a list of festivals, I am wondering if this would be needlessly implicating myself. My defense is the common one of being misinformed and trying now to right it. Can they pursue me for something that was screened nearly seven years ago? Can they decide their license fee is $50,000 retroactively? Is the fact that I have never made a penny from this film relevant?
Thanks for your help.
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