TALENT RIGHTS INFORMATION - Due Wednesday, April 24th
Once your talent has been reserved for your use, you will need to complete the information below.
Be sure to verify your talent selection will meet the necessary performance requirements according to the following;
Music Requirements/Rights/Licensing
We have an agreement to use music licensed through ASCAP and BMI. To find out if your music is covered, you can do a web search at www.ascap.com or www.bmi.com. This agreement allows you the right to truncate the music to meet the 1 minute and 30 seconds or less time requirements.
If your music is not listed under the ASCAP or BMI coverage, you will be responsible for procuring the proper clearance rights to use the music for your talent. Your licensing agreement must include the rights to perform your music for a live stage performance that may be televised within Ohio and streamed on the Internet. Coverage must also include sales of the shows on DVD up to 250 copies. Additional information to assist with this process is listed below.
Permission Forms for Custom Recordings
There are typically no clearance issues if your accompaniment is a commercial recording (one expressly made for sale to consumers) and is covered by an ASCAP or BMI agreement. Non-ASCAP or BMI recordings (made by friends or high school or college combos, third-party arrangers, etc.) may be used at Miss Ohio. However, for us to accommodate this type of recording, it is absolutely necessary that you obtain written permission from all persons involved in the recording and production of the music track.
We must receive permission forms signed by all parties involved in the music production: music arranger, producer, musicians, background singers, and recording engineer. The forms/letters must state we have their permission to use the music for live stage performances that may be televised within Ohio and streamed on the Internet. Coverage must also include sales of the shows on DVD up to 250 copies. The Talent Music Permission Release Form is available to download using the link below.
Talents Involving Original Work or Material
Any contestant who plans to present a talent act that involves prior original work on her part i.e. own painting, dressmaking, music arrangement, songwriting, dramatic reading, etc., must send us notarized authentication that she created that work if she wishes to receive credit for the same. This responsibility will rest with the contestant and her local director.
Also, we must receive from you two copies of a letter granting the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and the television network permission to use your material for a live theatre show, TV telecast, and possibly streaming on the Internet. Coverage must also include sales of the shows on DVD up to 250 copies.
Talents Involving Published Literary Material
Any contestant performing a talent presentation involving the reading of a literary work (i.e. dramatic reading) must contact the author and/or publisher for “Permission Letters”. These letters should grant the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and the television network permission to use your material for a live theatre show, TV telecast and possibly streaming on the Internet. Coverage must also include sales of the shows on DVD up to 250 copies.
Copyright Violations
We have found it is almost impossible to obtain permission to use costumes, dialogue, or scenery similar to those used in Broadway productions or motion pictures. Please do not plan to use any of the above in your talent presentation! We do not provide clearance for such talents, as it could endanger the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and the contestants' financial security. You may not use more than two songs from the same particular Broadway show or motion picture without express permission from the copyright owner.
Net Search Instructions for Determining BMI/ASCAP Coverage
How to Search BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc)
- Go to www.bmi.com
- Click in the Search Box in the upper right corner.
- Click the red link "SEARCH BMI REPERTOIRE"
- Use the available options to search for your music
How to search ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
- Go to www.ascap.com
- Click "REPERTORY" on the left
- Use the available options to search for your music
It is usually best to begin your search by title. Once the title does come up then match the writer(s).
You will need to include either the BMI Work Number or the ASCAP Title Code on your talent rights form below.
The Miss Ohio office will confirm the accuracy of the information you submit.
Obtaining the proper licensing if your music is NOT covered by BMI/ASCAP
You may wish to visit www.licensemusicnow.com for assistance in obtaining the necessary licensing/rights.
The following is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions concerning music clearance. Please review this information. The information contained here is not intended to replace meaningful consultation with an experienced attorney.
- How much does it cost to use a song?
Licensing fees depend on many things – including but not limited to the fame of the song, the fame of the performer, the way the song is used in production, and the media the production will be presented in. The only way to know if you will receive permission and exactly what the fee will be is to start the clearance process.
- How long will it take to clear a song?
The time it takes to clear a song can depend on many things. On average, allow at least two weeks for a response from the song owner(s), but a response can also take more or less time.
- Contestant/Student Requests:
Some (not all) music owners will not issue licenses for free under any circumstances, some do not accept contestant/student requests at all, and others may charge a contestant/student anywhere from $50 to $500. Many uses are considered at the professional rate and subject to standard licensing fees by song owners.
- The music I want to use in my production is so old I think it’s in the public domain:
Do not jump to conclusions. Whether a song is PD can depend on MANY things – laws vary depending on WHEN the piece was created, as well as WHERE your production will be exhibited. If the piece is PD and you use a pre-existing recording, you still must have permission from the owner of that recording. Sometimes PD pieces are newly arranged and so you will need to clear the publishing rights for the new arrangement as well.
Be sure to let the artist or agent know you are competing in the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and your talent may or may not be on television and streamed on the Internet during competitions (June 12-15, 2024). Coverage must also include sales of the shows on DVD up to 200 copies.