leonardcohenforum.com

My wife is a videographer and wants to use a couple of leonard's songs in a video she might want to submit to a film festival. How does she get permission from leonard or his agent to do so?

You have to contact the local Sony company in your country; they will
further your matter.

If you're talking about using a recording of someone other than Leonard Cohen covering his songs, then, you'd contact the mechanical licensing association in your country. If you're wanting to use Leonard's own versions of his songs, then, you need a synchronization license - which is more complicated and costly.

In Canada, where I live, you can find out info about how to do either, by checking with the Audio-Video Licensing Agency @ http://www.avla.ca/ and/or the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency @ http://www.cmrra.ca

Once you know what sort of license you're wanting, then you can apply to the agency in your home country, and they'll process things, and send the paperwork/application to Sony.

Or, as Jarkko suggests, you can contact your local Sony reps, and have them guide you!

cheers, Adrian

Hi there,

You may also want to contact the Performing Rights Organization that admnistrates Leonard's performing rights. SOCAN in Canada, BMI in the U.S. and PRS in Britain. I'm sure they can give you all the info you need.

Synchronization rights are negotiable and often have time limits in the contract. If in doubt, see an entertainment lawyer. It may be worth it in the end. Usually, the one-stop shopping place for license info is the performing right org. - they'll have addresses, phone numbers and people who can tell you exactly what you need. Speak to the one in your own country - they can guide you. Be precise. You don't want to miss anything.

Good luck!