ADVICE: USING LICENSED MUSIC IN SPEC ADS?

[Nick Morrison]

Hey yall. We are embarking on shooting a number of spec ads this summer, and I have a question about music.

What is the legality/concern about using licensed music from legit bands in Spec Ads?

My gut tells me to avoid them, and to stick to the stock/promo music I ordinarily use.

But I'm curious about what your collective experience has been in this regard.

Thanks so much!

- Nick

 

[Bob Gundu]

If you publish on youtube, it will be flagged by youtube anyway. I'd say avoid it if possible.

 

[Adrian Lopez]

We're regularly asked to produce spec ads by agencies using licensed music - from full live action to simple animated pre-viz. They do this to convey a "feeling" to the end client and help sell the concept. Once the job is approved to go, of course, proper licensing is procured - assuming they go with the music used on the spec. At no time is the spec ad posted publicly or used on reels with the same music. As long as the spec is never released as a finished ad, I dont believe there's an issue.

 

[Nick Morrison]

We're regularly asked to produce spec ads by agencies using licensed music - from full live action to simple animated pre-viz. They do this to convey a "feeling" to the end client and help sell the concept. Once the job is approved to go, of course, proper licensing is procured - assuming they go with the music used on the spec. At no time is the spec ad posted publicly or used on reels with the same music. As long as the spec is never released as a finished ad, I dont believe there's an issue.

Gottcha. But we do intend to publish on Vimeo/Net as part of our reel, so we will best avoid then. Thx