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As the camp season approaches, please be reminded that specific music
and motion picture licensing requirements may affect your camp. The importance
of staying informed about licensing requirements is highly recommended
by the American Camping Association (ACA). To relieve ACA-accredited camps
from the responsibility of paying high licensing fees for group singing,
instructional music, and videocassette exhibition at camp, ACA has made
the following arrangements with the American Society of Composers, Authors,
and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC):
Music Licensing
ACA and ASCAP have continued their agreement that allows ACA-accredited
camps to use ASCAP licensed music without paying any licensing fees. Under
the five-year agreement, ACA will pay ASCAP one dollar per camp per year
for all ASCAP licensed music. ACA-accredited camps are automatically included
in the agreement with ASCAP. Currently, ACA represents more than 2,400
summer camps nationwide.
For specific questions concerning which music and lyrics fall under
ASCAP licensing, please contact ACA at 765-342-8456 ext. 313.
Public Performance License
A public performance license is required to show videos at your camp.
MPLC provides this license with a discount for American Camping Association
(ACA) members. If you are already an MPLC license holder, you need not
re-apply. Your license is automatically renewed at your guaranteed low
rate.
The Federal Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17 of the United
States Code, states that all home videocassette exhibitions outside one’s
personal residence are "public performances" and mandates they
be licensed. Noncompliance can subject those who infringe to statutory
damages starting at $750 per exhibition. This legal requirement applies
equally to for-profit and nonprofit facilities, whether or not an admission
is charged. MPLC, the authorized licensing representative for Hollywood
studios and producers, provides the license that is required to comply
with federal law. It also allows those who rent your facility to be covered
for video use, protecting your property from inadvertent copyright liability.
MPLC Licensing Fees
If you currently show video cassettes or plan to this season, complete
the MPLC licensing application online at www.ACAcamps.org/membership/mplc.php
and return it with the appropriate payment (see the MPLC Licensing Fees
table). Your Certificate of License will be sent by the U.S. mail.
Originally published in the 2004 Spring issue
of The CampLine.
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