As Infinity8 replied above, the record companies and musicians might be just the starting point to get approvals for the music.
One (fictional) example that is somewhat on point is an example of a show that used a Beatles' song... Sounds easy enough, but if memory serves me correctly, Paul McCarthy of the Beatles was outbid by Michael Jackson for the rights to ALL the Beatles music. As we should all know, Michael died. Assuming he had a well written will, and it has been probated properly, and that he split things between his children and their mother, their approvals would be required for any use of the Beatles' song. In this case, the children are minors, and MAY have/had seperate guardians from their mother for legal matters.
See how quickly this becomes complicated for JUST ONE song?
What if he willed a fractional portion of those rights to a charity as well as just his family? The charity probably would have a board of directors required to approve usage. It is highly doubtful they would convene a meeting just to consider such a request, and if it is an incorporated charity, a board meeting is required once per year, (or more often by their incorporation).
Never underestimate the complications of "shared ownership" either.
A historic district property nearby was inherited equally by four (adult) children. Two wanted to sell, two wanted it for other use. Making the story short, that deadlock ended up with the property ruined from lack of upkeep, then condemned and razed by the city - with the bill for the fines, demolition, and clearing sent to the heirs...
It took about 20 years to replace a book I loaned out before the heirs settled the estate and it was reprinted!
reply
share