How do i get a sample cleared

I used a sample for a certain artist from a song that came out within the last 3 or 4 years. Where do i start if i want permits to use pieces of their work.

Contact the publisher

If you can't find or contact the publisher yourrself, there are sample clearance services that'll do the job for you (at a price of course!)

One of them is http://www.copyright.com/

..In all seriousness, you should anticipate having to spend some serious cheese for a real sample clearance. You'll have to pay these cornball agencies for their time (whether or not it gets cleared in the end) and then the artist/publishing holder is going to want at least a couple grand. Then you gotta wait, etc.....

I think as producers ery one of us has had thoughts of clearing our music through the right channels. But in all reality most independent/underground releases simply don't have the type of budget that makes sample clearance a logical option. Another thing to consider is that it's not as simple as finding a sample clearance agency and having it done. Some companies/people have access to info or know who to call specifically.

One more thing if you got the budget straight and all that then pay no mind to my comments, but I will issue one more warning. Whenever you go to clear this material or what have you, make sure your production is pretty much set in stone. Altering what you have originally submitted down the line can void your original agreement and leave you liable for copyright infringement regardless of fees paid or arrangements made. The industry is greedy and waiting to catch cats slippin like that....

I thought if you sell less than 1,000 units (or was it 10,000 units), you didn't have to clear samples?

With that new law congress passed the"anti hip hop law" i think you have to clear every thing now . No matter how many you sell or how short the sample. that s my understanding of it anyway. good luck. peace

freshblends wrote:With that new law congress passed the"anti hip hop law" i think you have to clear every thing now . No matter how many you sell or how short the sample. that s my understanding of it anyway. good luck. peace

Yeah, pretty much you have to clear EVERYTHING!!! (mix-tapes, bootlegs, etc...) My lawyer calls me everyday about samples. I had to hire a personal sample clearence lawyer because of that law. So watch out, even if you think your small time and won't get caught.

Find out the publishing company that represents that Artist and request to license the song for sample usage. Also, larger labels have licensing departments that can handle this. Most will want to hear the usage of the sample and also you need to know how much of the sample you are using. I wouldn't bother unless you got some real chedda, but for the most part a lot of OLDER artists don't mind, as long as you get permission and they hear how you use the sample-- some of them will let you use for free.

sidenote you will have to share your royalties with them and they will appear as co-producer/writer etc...

lets say I want a melody from a song. But Instead of Sampling it. I replay it myself and use it. Would It be just like sampling strait from the vinly in their eyes or am I in luck?

To clear a sample you sampled from vinyl you need two copyright clearances

1) publishing copyrights
2) recording copyrights


Replaying the sample only eliminates recording copyrights, you still responsible for publishing copyrights

This is why I stayed away from sampling. Cuz of copywrite clearances and the huge fees you have to pay to use them.

Right now I'm dabbling a lil bit to find the right sound for my own music.

EMFinite wrote:This is why I stayed away from sampling. Cuz of copywrite clearances and the huge fees you have to pay to use them.

Right now I'm dabbling a lil bit to find the right sound for my own music.

that's sad

if you dont use famous samples and if you chop/edit/pitch/filter....i dont think anyone can tell... only if u are looping the original sample then u gotta watchout...

keep sampling and master the art

scizz wrote:

EMFinite wrote:This is why I stayed away from sampling. Cuz of copywrite clearances and the huge fees you have to pay to use them.

Right now I'm dabbling a lil bit to find the right sound for my own music.

that's sad

if you dont use famous samples and if you chop/edit/pitch/filter....i dont think anyone can tell... only if u are looping the original sample then u gotta watchout...

keep sampling and master the art

Technology is doing just that, getting MORE technical and it's even getting harder to disguise because they are looking for it.......

***bboutit's top secret out of PURE love, I wonder what Auto-Chrom and Recycle are capable of...........*********

FIrst off, you should be chopping up your samples enough that they wont be recognizable as the original anyway. but if you all wasnt some "official" inmput on this, peep out this FAQ:

http://www.superswell.com/samplelaw/faq.html

That explains it better than anyone else has so far...

Peace1

FIrst off, you should be chopping up your samples enough that they wont be recognizable as the original anyway

loops are dope

and who are you to say what everybody should and shouldnt do?????