Pop Life was playing as background music. I've never heard a Prince song used like that. Now, this isn't why I am posting, I actually had a question...

Do news channels have to secure rights for sampling like that? It hardly seems worth it, for a 20 second sound clip, and they use them all the time, so what's the deal? or, are they given music for free promotion from distribution companies? Can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks.

I was wondering the same thing kind of--because Chrissy Hynde was asked if sh e was aware of Rush Limabugh using her My City Was Gone music as a bed for his program and she stated she didnt agree with his views etc but basically there was nothing she could do about him using th song. Maybe she didnt own the rights but how would they be able to use Pop Life? This is th esecond or third thread ina short time that stated they had heard Prince music commercially on a news or progamming slot...hmmm..2004 getting ready type of thing with th e conglomerates?

TimeWarner owns CNN, doesn't it? And TimeWarner owns Prince's music, don't they? Maybe I'm naive about this kinda thang, but it seems pretty simple to me.

I wonder if it's like books where you can use excerpts without needing permission? Probably also has something to do with the music being used as background. And, I think "news" shows (including talk shows) can get away with a lot more rights.

Time Warner or possibly CNN probably pay ASCAP/BMI music royalties. They both produce a wide-array of things using musical beds and whatnot so it would be worth it. Both entities whether parent or subsidary have plenty of money alotted so I suppose its not really an issue with them. I work for an NBC affiliate and we pay ASCAP/BMI and really don't use too much commercial music for anything either.

And Bob Grant used Dirty Mind today...E!
uses Black Sabbath in their True hollywood
music...BFD

Broadcasting companies, like radiostations, in most countries have a contract with collective rights organisations such as ASCAP and BMI. The deal is that they can freely air what they want to provided they pay standard fees (ususally per second or minute) for it. These organisations then keep up with the amount of music broadcasters air on TV and at the end of the year (or at some other time) they do the math and send the bill. The monies are then distributed by ASCAP/BMI among the rightsholders whose songs were aired.

Abrazo said:

Does that mean that Prince would get something for it?

sabaisabai said:

yes

thanks for the info everyone.

We have a radio station here that has cars on the road called Black Thunders and whenever they cross to them etc they play a snippet of Thunder, just the bit where Prince says Thunder.

I have always wondered about the rights to this?