Custom Search

Monday, October 10, 2011

Toronto Video Production - Legal Use of Background Music In Corporate Videos

By Brian Korson


The impact of corporate videos and its message are often enhanced by background music. There is a lot to be gained when background music is used properly within the context of corporate videos.

"Most videos do have background music in them," explains Brian Korson of Video Excellence Productions, a Toronto-based video production company. This, however, does not mean that all corporate videos must have music. The inclusion of music in corporate videos depends on who will watch it and whether it can help enhance the presentation of the corporate video.

Background music can range from simple tunes to mainstream music. There are regulations implemented which limits or prohibit the use of music for public purposes, be it music downloaded from the Internet or taken from audio CDs. In corporate video production, it is important to know when and how to use music in videos, in order to avoid legal complications and conflicts.

When corporate videos will be used solely for the purpose of the company - meaning, no audience aside from the company employees are going to see the corporate video - it is alright to use music from the Internet and CDs as background enhancements. "However, if it's going to be seen by the general public or it's going to go on network television then it's against the law," says Brian.

Video production companies only gain the authority to use copyrighted music after paying the royalty fees to the respective producers. Using copyrighted music without due permission is already considered as piracy.

To counteract this problem, small businesses can opt to "rent" music from music rental sites instead of buying the rights to use it. Video production purposes prefer this options as most small businesses do not have the budget to pay royalty fees.

Musical rental sites collect fees from its registered users. In return, users have the right to the unlimited use of a particular score, tune or sound. These kind of prepaid purchases allow video production outfits to use background music without limiting the distribution of the resulting corporate videos.

Background music is just one way to make corporate videos stand out. Its presence helps a corporate video do what it is supposed to do - provide information to the audience in the most creative way possible.




About the Author: