So I'm starting to write an indoor show for one of my scholastic groups, and I'm interested in using some samples. I understand all the technological and logistical issues, but my problem is with the legal issues. What I want to do is use some samples from popular songs (not unlike what Ayala did this past year with movie snippets), and I'm not sure how to even go about getting copyright clearance. I can find plenty of information for arranging a piece of music and for using samples in a recorded album, but nothing really for using samples in a live performance...can someone point me in the right direction?

My big question: what are the copyright issues for using a 3-5 second sample of a recorded song in a live performance of a new work?

Keith Rawlins, an intellectual property attorney/ Cavalier Alumni can help you out

krawlinsentertainmentservices@gmail.com

And there's always CopyCat:)