I have a mate in London who is a dj. He wants to make a demo (mixed) to present to bars and clubs. Now clearing the rights with publishers seems easy enough but the sound recording is another kettle of fish. I asked PPL and they said contact the record companies direct. Now surely this is impractical ! Will the majors be willing for every DJ in the UK to ring them up to obtain the licences. What can he do ?

Regards
KZ

www.myspace.com/klubvhp

If it's just a demo to show what he can do and it's not going to be played out or sold I don't see there is an issue.

There may be an issue.

I've read some stories about djs who got in to troubles with law because they used mp3s (illegal copies) instead of records.

well there is a problem. Not only does he want to use it as a demo, he also wants to use it in his set. PPL says he cannot make the compilation full stop. The venue has a PPL license already. MCPS has a blanket licence which he can buy. Surely record companies have more important things to do than to have to field requests for one off licences for CD compilations. They do have dj digital licence that covers computers, hard drives and anything other than CDs.

We have just run into a similar problem KZ.

And it is with pressing plants, as far as I could see the pressing plants should have enough clearance, by my naming the publishers and writers from our end, as the correct royalties will then be distributed by PRS etc, on airplay.
This raises , once again , the question, of who is paying the royalties, for the cover bands, the DJ`s and the tribute bands, during live work.
It would appear to be unregulated, until you create a "sound carrier".