SubscribeProDub Licence
DJmark assess quality standards for the UK mobile disco industry.
If you are copying legally-purchased copyrighted music from one format to another (digitally, or from vinyl, CD etc.) for use in your professional or semi-professional working life, you need to purchase a ProDub licence.
FULL DETAILS are available at the MCPS/PRS Alliance website HERE
There's also an indepth discussion about this topic over on the MDD Forum HERE
Plus, we've published our own understanding of various common scenarios below
DJmark's Stance
DJmark supports the ProDub initiative but understands that there will be a degree of confusion initially about what is/isn't covered by the licence - we will be monitoring and contributing to the various forums and FAQs on the matter to ensure we are fully briefed at all times.
We understand that the MCPS/PRS Alliance are offering an introductory discount on new licence sign-ups and that their online database for checking licences becomes operational at the end of July 2008. Our stance therefore is to support the licence in the following way:
- To ask members to declare their eligibility or produce a disclaimer by 31st July 2008
- To make eligible members responsible for producing a licence in order to maintain "Gold" or "Platinum" DJmark ranking until 31st December 2008
- From 1st January 2009, the ProDub licence will be a requirement on eligible members for ALL rankings including our entry-level "Silver" award
- Members who continue to work with 100% original physical media will be exempt from the above. Disclaimers will be required and re-requested on each anniversary.
- We reserve the right to alter these terms at any time
Common Scenarios
Please note that the following is based on opinion and not necessarily fact. Please refer to the MCPS/PRS alliance website HERE
Songs downloaded from iTunes
- iTunes downloads are provided with a licence to burn to CD or run WITH DRM on up to 5 "Authorised" computers. If you play the files back from an authorised computer without shifting the format and with the DRM retained, no ProDub is required. However if you DO write to CD (or virtual CD) for the purposes of re-ripping in a non-DRM or non-AAC format then ProDub counts this as a 'format shift' and therefore a licence is required
- iTunes Plus downloads are DRM-free and are supplied with a licence to burn to CD or play on any device you own. ProDub rules are as "normal" iTunes downloads.
Songs downloaded from Napster
- Napster Subscription Model (the "£9.95 option") - in this model there is no right to burn the file to CD. You may play back the file (with DRM) on the PC used to download OR on one of two other "Authorised" devices without needing ProDub BUT if you do anything else to the file, such as burn to CD for re-ripping or in any other way remove DRM or try to play on an unauthorised device, not only are you breaking the terms of your subscription agreement with Napster (and therefore, probably, a whole bunch of copyright laws), you technically also need ProDub
- Napster To Go Subscription Model (the "£14.95 option") - in this model there is no right to burn the file to CD. You may play back the file (with DRM) on the PC used to download OR on one of two other "Authorised" computers OR on an "Authorised" music player device sanctioned for use in the Napster-to-Go program without needing ProDub. If you to anything else to the file, siuch as burn to CD for re-ripping or in any other way remove DRM or try to play on an unauthorised device, not only are you breaking the terms of your subscription agreement with Napster, you also technically require ProDub
- Napster Downloads (the "79p / £7.95 option") - in this model you are provided a licence to write the song to CD - this activity is classed as a format shift therefore ProDub is required
Original CD or Vinyl (or other prerecorded) Media - no ProDub licence needed to play these
CDs ripped to MP3 for Portability/Convenience - this is classed as a Format Shift and therefore a ProDub is required
CDs cloned onto CDR/RW for backup purposes - the backup discs, if played during a performance, are subject to ProDub. The originals are not.
CD tracks re-assembled on CDR/RW in compilations - the CDR/RW files are subject to ProDub. The originals are not.
Think of any more scenarios? Tell Us
