Licences etc HELP?!

[DazzyD]

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If you are playing from a laptop, and have converted the music from CDs to play on the laptop, then a Produb licence is required. 'Produb' is a 'format shifting licence'. If you are using original CDs then no licence is required.
...

And no licence is required when downloading legally obtained (ie bought!) downloads and saving them directly to your playout drive (be it your computers internal HD or an external one). If you download to one location and then move it elsewhere to be used for playout, I do believe you then need ProDub.

Just a query... if he is format shifting, would he require a ProDub Licence seeing as he wouldn't be charging for his services?

I thought this licence was only needed if the music was used for commercial use... otherwise, surely everyone who format shifts music would need one, regardless of whether they are a DJ or not?

Just asking, not trying to cause a stir

Scott, that's how I understood it. Matt, you're right, but as far as I know ( and even on a good day that's not much ) wasn't it understood that the powers that be were going to use the Nelsonian attitude* when dealing with the general public in this matter? Don't take that as gospel, of course.


*Turn a blind eye.

The BPI said they wouldn't be pursuing people who ripped their own CDs to a computer for non commercial purposes, but it still isn't officially a legal practise.

As Darren said, BPI made a clear statement confirming they wouldn't chase private individuals who copied music cross-platform (ie from CD to their portable music players) for non-commercial, private use. They said they only wanted to pursue the big pirates who were responsible for costing the industry £millions in lost revenue. I think, so long you're not accepting any kind of payment (including drinks bought for you!) then you'd be fine.

Ah this is getting a little clearer. I suppose my main worry is if a friend books somewhere for a party and asks me to Dj for them and I turn up and find the venue wont let me play cos I dont have the right licences.

When I get a booking in I always contact the venue directly to see if they need me to provide anything. That way, I know in advance what their policies are and there's no nasty suprises on the day (or night - you get what I mean!!).

[paul1404]

PLI is not expensive by the way
Also is a great selling point
I take copies of the license to every venue I play at and give to them
It makes customers / Venues fell as if you are professional and gives them piece of mind

Also you never know what and who are at discos always cover your back

just read some of the stories on here about what goes wrong - when music/booze/people are involved - ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN lol

[Retrodisco]

I'm a DJ, maybe I'll get an instrument and trying playing in a band for fun.....see where this is going...

Having the gear doesn't make you a DJ, there is a skill set involved that those on the outside do not see. There's far more to it than a few pieces of paper to say you are insured, etc.

Do you have the music required and the knowledge of it to put it into a useable order, to pull off a party? Including requests? Music for all types of people and tastes? The average DJ has around 10000 tracks to cover all bases.

However, I do wish you good luck with your venture

[funkymook]

I'm a DJ, maybe I'll get an instrument and trying playing in a band for fun.....see where this is going...

Having the gear doesn't make you a DJ, there is a skill set involved that those on the outside do not see. There's far more to it than a few pieces of paper to say you are insured, etc.

Do you have the music required and the knowledge of it to put it into a useable order, to pull off a party? Including requests? Music for all types of people and tastes? The average DJ has around 10000 tracks to cover all bases.

However, I do wish you good luck with your venture

And I'm sure if you did decide to take up an instrument and joined a forum you'd get a lot of encouragement and help, offers to jam etc.

It matters not where people are starting from, they fact they join MDD and ask questions means they are open to advice - no doubt the points you raise will come up if and when necessary.

[DazzyD]

I'm a DJ, maybe I'll get an instrument and trying playing in a band for fun.....see where this is going...

Having the gear doesn't make you a DJ, there is a skill set involved that those on the outside do not see. There's far more to it than a few pieces of paper to say you are insured, etc.

Do you have the music required and the knowledge of it to put it into a useable order, to pull off a party? Including requests? Music for all types of people and tastes? The average DJ has around 10000 tracks to cover all bases.

However, I do wish you good luck with your venture

I think that's a bit harsh. We all started somewhere and I'm pretty sure, when I did all those years ago, I didn't have 10k tracks and the experience to deal with every situation. I built this up over time and I still don't have everything. The fact is that the OP is just starting off and he wants to do thing right - this is evident from the questions he's asking. He doesn't sound like the average Sid who wants to come in, undercut the regular guys and bring down people's ideas of what a DJ should be. What's more, he's only a few miles along the road from me so could be classed as a direct competitor but, to be honest, I think we need more competitors up here that can help raise the bar and show people that DJing can, and should, be done properly. This will be good for the public, who get to see our real value, and for the DJs as they get the money they deserve.

And I'm sure if you did decide to take up an instrument and joined a forum you'd get a lot of encouragement and help, offers to jam etc.

It matters not where people are starting from, they fact they join MDD and ask questions means they are open to advice - no doubt the points you raise will come up if and when necessary.

[jaylaw]

I'm a DJ, maybe I'll get an instrument and trying playing in a band for fun.....see where this is going...

Having the gear doesn't make you a DJ, there is a skill set involved that those on the outside do not see. There's far more to it than a few pieces of paper to say you are insured, etc.

Do you have the music required and the knowledge of it to put it into a useable order, to pull off a party? Including requests? Music for all types of people and tastes? The average DJ has around 10000 tracks to cover all bases.

However, I do wish you good luck with your venture

Well I have done a couple of parties using borrowed gear for friends, a 50 year anniversary party and a kids party and the feedback I received was superb beyond my expectations. Actually I got another 2 offers to do parties from people at these but had to turn them down as I didnt own my own equipment. Now I have it and am able to do the parties I'm worried I'll still have to turn them down because I havent got the licences. That's why I'm here asking people who know their stuff for advice!

I think that's a bit harsh. We all started somewhere and I'm pretty sure, when I did all those years ago, I didn't have 10k tracks and the experience to deal with every situation. I built this up over time and I still don't have everything. The fact is that the OP is just starting off and he wants to do thing right - this is evident from the questions he's asking. He doesn't sound like the average Sid who wants to come in, undercut the regular guys and bring down people's ideas of what a DJ should be. What's more, he's only a few miles along the road from me so could be classed as a direct competitor but, to be honest, I think we need more competitors up here that can help raise the bar and show people that DJing can, and should, be done properly. This will be good for the public, who get to see our real value, and for the DJs as they get the money they deserve.

Thanks for the support Dazz. Where abouts are you from? And dont worry about competiton mate, as I said earlier, for me at the moment it's just a hobby and something I can have a bit of fun doing for mates and family. I'm a million miles away from being a proffessional/business! lol

[DazzyD]

Thanks for the support Dazz. Where abouts are you from? And dont worry about competiton mate, as I said earlier, for me at the moment it's just a hobby and something I can have a bit of fun doing for mates and family. I'm a million miles away from being a proffessional/business! lol

No problem. I'm from Houghton and I remember what it was like when I started. I didn't jump straight in but gained experience working for other multi-ops first. That's how I learned the business and I still think this is the best way. I don't think that starting on your own with no experience is a particularly good idea, however, with the support, help and advice from others on here I think it can be done. However, before I got in to DJing, I worked as promotor for local bands putting on shows around the region and, generally, raising their profile. So, I'm been involved in the music business for some time!

[jaylaw]

SO the bottom line then:

For a person (ME) providing a disco at no charge, solely for friends and family, on a word-of-mouth basis,

the minimum I would be required to have to play anywhere other than the house would be

PLI, PAT and produb licences??

[Dynamic Entertainment]

SO the bottom line then:

For a person (ME) providing a disco at no charge, solely for friends and family, on a word-of-mouth basis,

the minimum I would be required to have to play anywhere other than the house would be

PLI, PAT and Produb licences??

Maybe Lol

PAT - Yes
PLI - Yes

ProDub - That's the maybe.

How have you sourced your music?
If its ripped from a CD collection, they yes, Produb is required.
If you've downloaded all your MP3's from an online store (Amazon, etc) directly to the machine you're using to DJ with, then Produb is not required.

Whilst you're not operating as a business (as such), its also worth baring in mind that Motor Insurance will possibly also need to be for business use (you'll definitely need to check with your insurer).

[Kernow]

PLI, PAT and produb licences??

Licence singular (Produb)
PLI is insurance and PAT is electrical safety testing, both of which are certificates.