Using Music from D.C.'s Shows - http://www.dcopperfield.com Forums

Original message

RickyD

"Using Music from D.C.'s Shows" , Wed 20 Sep 12:26

This may or may not be the place to post this, but I'm not sure where else it should go:

I've seen a CD of David Copperfield music for sale on the internet. I'm a magician (still amateur, but working on it) and was wanting to use some of the songs in my routines. Do I need to get permission to use it? From David Copperfield, or from the original songwriters/record companies, or what? Or can I simply use them for the show as long as I've bought the CD? If it matters, my shows are not being taped, so there's no problem with "re-recording" a song. And none of my routines are "stolen" (I'm not trying to re-create any D.C. illusions, only use some of the same music he did for some of my own routines.)

Any thoughts on what's "correct"? Reply to this or e-mail me at ricky_duval@juno.com

Thanks!

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
-- Philippians 4:23

Replies:

NAJ

"Re(1):Using Music from D.C.'s Shows" , Mon 25 Sep 20:45

Ricky D:
First of all, you´ll have to ask and pay for rights to use that music, same as using any that is not tailor made for you, (and you still have to pay for it, but in a kind of different way).
Second, there are millions of pieces of music to use in your show. And David chooses those music themes that suits his personality. So, you say that you don´t want to be a copy of David C., but using music that suits his personality, is a way of becoming a copy of him. Don´t become another monkey that uses music (or anything) that another magician used in his show. Someone did it before you did, so breath deeply and move on. Take time to discover your own character, take time to walk from one record store to another, and to another, for months, listening to thousands of tracks, until you find the perfect ones for you and your show. It takes a lot of time, money and effort to do so, but it feels incredibly good when it finally happens. You won´t have to worry about rights, or ethics, or anything, and you´ll help to keep rising the art of magic.
I hope this to get deeply into your brain and soul.
With best regards.

NAJ

You never know.

Heather

"Re(1):Using Music from D.C.'s Shows" , Wed 20 Sep 22:59

Hiya,
As far as I know, you are free to use the music so long as you are not making a profit from the performance. If you are, you'll have to write the songwriters' labels and request permission. Hopefully if it's nothing grand scale they won't mind. And, if it's some tiny thing (moral people stop reading here) I'm sure if you borrow the music you won't be tossed in jail for it. Actually, since some other magicians we know use music without getting rights for it all the time *innocent whistle* and haven't gotten slammed with a lawsuit for it yet, I highly doubt you will have any problems either.
Hope this helps.
*Heather*

"Who is this?" "David." "Oh."