I've noticed that Channel 4 (in the UK) are advertising this new sitcom with "U Got the Look" playing in the trailer. I was surprised to hear it to be honest as Prince is not normally known for letting his work be used in adverts etc...

What's the deal? Could our US Orgers say whether P's music features in the TV programme as I understand it's been shown there for quite a while?

More importantly, who currently owns the rights to P's music? I must admit I've lost track of things what with name changes,lawsuits,scribblings on cheeks and so on.

Is it Warners or the great man himself now?

Cheers.

Jase

U Got The Look, Ugly Betty

Really?

Glamorous Life has been used in the show. Isn't it up to Warner Brothers whether or not this music is used?

coolcat said:

i do not know? i know one of his new songs was in CSI recently... one has to wonder if he will be on the show now that he is in LV?

Thanks for your replies guys. I'm only asking for clarification as I'm not really sure where Prince's head is at these days. It may be used in the show if it's up to Warners as they always seem quick to make a few quid out of our man whenever possible.

However, if P owns all his songs now and it's used in the ad now it might be another sign that he is chilling out a bit about his work and how it is used. He was on American Idol showing how these young pups should be doing it for Gawd's sake!

I thought the whole name change back to Prince was when he gained control of his masters again.

Anyway, anyone else have an idea?

Cheers.

Jase

for most adds prince would have to give his okay... (even if it was a song that was just close to a prince song (remember the Chevy adds with the "Born in America" song? Burse sued them and won...)

Warners still own the publication rights to the albums released through them, Prince never got his masters back, though eventually they revert to him 30 years or something like that after the first release. Prince changed his name back to Prince when his deal with Warner Chappell expired at the end of 1999, I think they basically were there to collect royalties on his behalf, he has since switched to some division of Universal I think it is, to collect his royalties and such-like.

However, I don't know when it comes to adverts and tv programs how it works. I mean, I'm sure I recall even one or 2 tracks from the Gold Experience being used on CSI in the past. I'm not sure if they have to seek Prince's permission to use his music or not; certainly there are some songs such as Kiss which anybody seems able to cover without Prince's permission for instance. I have a feeling there is something like a 'performance license' that allows some songs to be used willy-nilly but I am not certain.
[Edited 12/13/06 4:33am]

Ah, Langebleu has just answered this finally!: