talkmagic.co.uk

Hey guys

A musical has been written, and is likely to be performed in public later this year - people will be charged entry, though no profit is likely to be made

The musical itself contains several famous songs, as there have been no newly written ones. Therefore, I believe rights need to be received to perform the songs in public, yes?

Effectively, because it is realistically non-profit, I am unsure if rights need to be received to perform the songs, but then again, due to the ticket charges, there is *potential* for profit, which makes it hazy.

So - would we need to get rights to perform them?

andddd

The songs are by Michael Jackson, so how would you go about getting the performance rights for this one performance? I don't think he owns them any more!

It sounds like you need to talk to the Performing Rights Society. http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx

thanks Tomo! An e-mail has been sent!

Even if there is no entrance fee, if it's someone elses song then you need permission to perform it.

I think that the only exception is when the song is over 50 years old as currently, the copyright expires after 50 years.