ISSMA Copyright Service

As we know, many directors are very busy preparing their students for performances during the Marching Band and Show Choir Seasons. In an effort to make preparation for these events as easy as possible ISSMA can provide some help in the area of obtaining Permission to Arrange and Perform.

For a $200 fee ISSMA can seek and obtain the proper copyright permissions for your Show Choir or Marching Band show. To take advantage of this service, please complete the online form at least 6 weeks before the event. Upon completion of the online form an invoice will be sent. We will begin the process of obtaining permission once the check or purchase order for the fee has been received. When permission is obtained we will send the documents to you for signatures along with any invoices from the publishers (if any do require payment for permissions).

After this you have the following two options.

1. Mail the payment and signed documents to the publishers yourself.
2. Send the checks (made out to the proper publishers, NOT ISSMA) and signed documents to the ISSMA office in one envelope. We will then verify the checks and paperwork are accurate and send them to the correct publishers. This may be easier for a director who has multiple publishers to work with. (Always check your school’s policy for making payments first.)

Note: Publishers/Copyright Owners always have the right to deny permission. Although we will do everything in our power to secure permission for you it is sometimes just not possible. If we are not able to obtain permission for a selection we will contact you immediately with the option of replacing it with a different one.

Note: ISSMA cannot request permission on your behalf from Hal Leonard. Any permission needed from Hal Leonard should be obtained through their website at www.halleonard.com/permissions.

If you have any questions about the service or need any help filling out the online form do not hesitate to contact Abrianne (arardin@issma.net or 317-780-4100). We are always happy to answer and help in any way we can!

Copyright Service Online Form

ISSMA Copyright Requirements

Copyright is defined as the legal right granted to an author, composer, playwright, publisher, or distributor to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work.

Although copyright can seem like a hassle or burden at times, it was actually created to benefit everyone. The stated purpose of copyright law is “to promote the progress of knowledge and learning”. In the music world, this means it was introduced to keep composers creating. Otherwise there would be no incentive (either monetary or artistic ownership) for people to compose new music.

"Fair Use” is often misused in an attempt to avoid adherence to Copyright Law. It is not to be left up to an individual interpretation that may eliminate the need of purchasing more copies or obtaining permission to create a new arrangement. The true purpose of “Fair Use” is to establish equilibrium in order to avoid a monopoly. Also, simply disagreeing with the Copyright Law does not make one immune to it. It is to be followed as any other law whether it is liked or not. In most cases permission is required.

This permission comes in the form of a license. There are several types of copyright licenses that are very specific as to what type of permission is being granted.  Obtaining one type of license does not mean you are covered for all of them. The most commonly used licenses/permissions are as follows;

1. Performance License – Grants the permission to perform the work in or to the public
2. Permission to Arrange – Grants the right to prepare a derivative work based on the copyrighted work
3. Mechanical License – Grants permission to reproduce the work as a sound recording
4. Synchronization License – Grants permission to videotape a performance of the work (reproduce a musical composition “in connection with” or “in timed relation with” a visual image)
   

ISSMA, Inc. requires all groups participating in ISSMA Show Choir and Marching Band Events to secure permission to arrange for any pieces/songs being altered or arranged for their show. Written documentation with all proper signatures must be submitted to the ISSMA Office before participants will be allowed to perform. This also includes any original pieces composed for the groups. A signed letter from the composer must be submitted indicating that the piece was indeed created for that specific group and use.

In addition, before ISSMA sells or distributes a DVD beyond the one archival copy made available to a director the day of an event, a synchronization license is acquired for every song/piece recorded on the DVD.

For more information about Copyright refer to the following resources;