Can't you just go to a music download site, buy the track and stick it on the website?

Not sure which you go to for specific artists and titles, but both ASCAP [ascap.com] and BMI [bmi.com] offer licenses for websites.

Can't you just go to a music download site, buy the track and stick it on the website?

No, that only gives you personal rights to play it, not the right to republish it.

As popular as that song is, it would be asking for trouble not to get a web license to properly use it. I've gotten web licenses before and the contact information available in ASCAP and BMI is accurate enough for you to contact the copyright owner and submit a request for use. I think the last license I brought cost me about $35 for a year of use. Hope this helps.

If it's a low traffic site, I'd personally just make an mp3, name it something other than "georgia" and go for it without "permission". I mean unleass Ray or one of the other music world guys gets on the site, you're fine. Even then, you can just say "sorry" and then get the liscence.

I do freelance work and most clients have a fixed budget. So every dime I save them goes back to me. That is if they want my recommendation on hosts or domain names, I go the cheap route and it comes back to me.

This was discussed a few days ago (Search for the post using henry0; I do not remember where is the post)

If you do not use the full track but repeat a segment out of the one song he is interested in you should be ok, further in the thread I ref to it was also mentioned that indeed you are not supposed to make any revenue out of the song or allow for ex: to d-load it.

you're playing with fire. I would suggest you start by reviewing the copyright code. You certainly wouldn't use an image in your website that was obtained illegally or for which you had not purchased the right to use. Same with music. I would avoid it unless you have purchased the rights via the publisher.

Secondly, maybe you need o push back with the client a bit. Music on a website is typically considered a bad idea.

pat

I have always found that having music on a site was a bad idea. Most customers browse the net on their office computers. Think about it... one minute they are cruising along ready to buy something .. and the next music is blaring from their office computer and they frantically close the window. Instant lost sale.

If it's a low traffic site, I'd personally just make an mp3, name it something other than "georgia" and go for it without "permission"...

I do freelance work and most clients have a fixed budget. So every dime I save them goes back to me.

Have you considered the cost of having the liability go back to you as well?

Do you advise your clients that this is illegal, and have them sign an agreement absolving you of responsibility? Even if you do, I doubt this protects you.

Here is a great example of why one should be VERY cautious when accepting an unrealisticly-low quote for web design work, and, particularly, creative work (writing, etc.). Make sure you know and trust who you are hiring, and they they own the rights to any material they are putting on your web site that you haven't supplied yourself!

As for using portions of the song ...8 bars and you have to pay. Again and again.
But please! I hate music on websites. If I want sound let me click a play button.