Using music can be confusing. Whether you’re a film director, a content creator, or a producer for the screen, the stage, sound recordings, or web series, all music users like you now have access to a free platform to guide you through the process of integrating music to your projects, all thanks to the Professional Music Publishers Association (PMPA, and in French, APEM).
According to the association’s executive director, Jérôme Payette, PMPA’s new “Music Use Guide” fulfills a need that’s grown over the last few years, as platforms have undergone a democratization, and the number of small- and medium-sized content producers has exploded. The guide can also be used as a teaching tool for students, or the personnel of existing organizations.
“Our portal will simplify the use of music by indicating, among other things, how to clear the rights to a musical work,” says the PMPA’s coordinator of training and development, Yzabel BeauBien, who piloted the project. “It’s mainly geared toward professionals, but non-professionals will find it just as useful, because it de-mystifies copyright and the licensing process.
“If you’re looking for a specific song for your documentary, your podcast or an event, guide.apem.ca will assist you in securing what you are looking for.”
Created by APEM with the support of L’Institut national de l’image et du son and Fondation Musicaction, the guide lists all the various music uses, the rights holders, and the resources available, and includes a list of industry organizations.