Here at Live365, legality is important to us. That's why we provide you, our broadcasters, with music licensing (for the United States, Canada, and U.K.). We cover SoundExchange, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC licenses in the United States, as well as SOCAN and Re:Sound for Canada, and PPL and PRS for Music for the U.K. And, we are always working to provide music licensing for more countries!
Not only is legality incredibly important to us, but supporting creators, the artists that write and perform the songs we all enjoy, is a core mission at Live365. We value what the artists create for all of us to enjoy, so that's why we are so focused on making sure artists are compensated for their work. Here, when they get played, they get paid.
So, while we've got you covered on the music licensing end, we do need our broadcasters to provide us with the most accurate metadata possible. This way, your station stays legal and the music creators that you enjoy get paid! We of course take care of the rest by compiling and submitting all the reporting to SoundExchange for you.
In order to provide us with the most accurate metadata possible, make sure that each track that plays on your station contains the following correct information:
- Track Title
- Artist Name
- Album Name
Not only is correct metadata important for being in compliance with our music licensing, but it also helps AutoDJ function properly, giving you a wider selection of songs and better track rotation. If you have tracks with blank metadata or tracks that are labeled with "untitled artist" and "untitled album," the DMCA check will think that all those tracks are from the same artist or album, even though they might not be. Since you can only have songs play from the same artist or album a maximum of 4 times in a span of 3 hours due to the DMCA, your playlists will not pass the DMCA check and you will have a smaller selection of songs and poor track rotation in AutoDJ. So, accurate metadata helps everyone involved-- us here at Live365, you as a broadcaster, and, of course, the music creators!
So, that's it! Pretty simple, all we need from you is the correct metadata and we've got the rest. We'll make sure all your favorite artists get paid and your radio station will stay completely legal. Happy broadcasting!
Another note: Keep in mind that if you are broadcasting recordings in which you own all copyrights (such as recordings featuring your performance or possibly the performance of a band in which you are a member), you may be eligible for an exemption from these regulations. Similarly, if you would like to play music from independent artists, you may be eligible for exemptions from these regulations if you have received specific permission directly from the actual artist(s) to play their music.
For more information on metadata, check out our Help Desk article here. If you have any questions about the licensing we provide, you can visit our Licensing and Legal section. And, for information on playing independent music, take a look at our article on the topic.
Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today.
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