[HANASHIR:4095] Universal Jewish Music License

[Jeff Klepper <Klepper...>]

Michael Freed wrote:

<<We would all agree that available music should be purchased (or, as with 
some church music publishers, that a license were available to cover 
organizational use of the entire catalog).>>

It would be so "simple", at least theoretically, for the North American
Jewish community to get its music leaders and publishers together and work
out a system of licensing, sort of like a Jewish ASCAP.  Each congregation,
religious school or camp would pay a yearly fee, based, perhaps, on
membership size, something like .50 per member, and for that fee you have
the right to download music, copy music, use lyrics in a shiron, etc.  Do
you have a volunteer choir?  Then you pay an extra fee of $5 or $10 per
choir member for the right to use choral music.  The cantor/music director
fills out a simple form three or for times a year of which pieces he/she
has copied, and the "Merkaz Musica" sends a small fee to the
publisher/copyright holder of that music.  (Israeli publishers could be
represented as well.)  Like I said, it is a simple idea in theory - all
that is needed is that the movements and commercial enterprises TALK to
each other!  Over bagels and lox in Dan Freelander's office ;-), or holed
up in a retreat center somewhere.  Im tirtsu ain zo agada - this is
something that could become a reality if our institutions and leaders make
it a priority!

Jeff Klepper


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