Thread: music for class and shows

Hossam Ramzy encourages performers and Instructors to use his music, he posted on Tribe. Now if only more musicians were so forward thinking.

Hossam Ramzy - Open Letter to all the... - The Biz of Belly Dance - tribe.net

There are plenty of musicians and music producers who feel the same way as Hossam Ramzy. Be sure to notice that he specifies that permission must be obtained from the copyright holder before the music can be used on DVDs, videos, or any recording which will be sold. I encourage performers and instructors to use music from my CD (CD Baby: KHALIL ABBOUD / LEYLA LANTY: Golden Days Enchanting Nights) with the same requirements. Dancers and instructors have used it for their performances and for teaching. So far three instructors have obtained and paid for rights to use the music on DVDs and one compilation CD.

Yeah, I don't see that Hossam is any different to any other musician. He's just emailed dancers to let them know, is all.

A while back I can remember there was some flailing regarding Hossam's music in particular, because his CDs have the legal requirements/licensing details written in very ominous letters, and I recall some dancers thought it meant they couldn't use his music in performance. So he's probably just clearing that up.

Agreed. I think most musicians would love for their music to be used, and Hossam is specifically addressing some rumors that he's sued dancers in the past.


Musician can't authorize use unless

A. They're also the songwriter/composer (which I think Hossam is) since that's whose rights are protected by ASCAP et al

B. The songwriter/composer hasn't registered the music with one of the big agencies.

Don't be misled -- when Hossam says you need to get permission if the show will be videotaped, I would definitely assume some kind of payment is involved in getting that permission!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Agreed. I think most musicians would love for their music to be used, and Hossam is specifically addressing some rumors that he's sued dancers in the past.


Musician can't authorize use unless

A. They're also the songwriter/composer (which I think Hossam is) since that's whose rights are protected by ASCAP et al

B. The songwriter/composer hasn't registered the music with one of the big agencies.

Don't be misled -- when Hossam says you need to get permission if the show will be videotaped, I would definitely assume some kind of payment is involved in getting that permission!

Remember, you need to get permission from the owner of the copyright and from BMI/ASCAP (if the composer/songwriter registers the piece) if you videotape a show and the video tape/DVD is sold to the general public. The rule probably applies to ANY videotape, but i don't think anyone would get into trouble if the recording is available ONLY to the performer as a record of her/his performance.

Yes a payment is usually required to get permission, but sometimes musicians will accept full credit (name, website on the DVD/video/CD cover) instead of money. I suspect the copyright holder for Hossam's music would expect a monetary payment.