Can Someone Please Explain Cue Sheets to Me?

Hi, I've got my music waiting in my cart but I received the message that a cue sheet may need to be submitted for me to use the track. I'm using my music for a podcast. Can someone please break down the legal jargon for me? I saw a previous reply in another request that stated that one would only need to submit a cue sheet if a national broadcast were using this.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Vickie

Basically a cue sheet is for someone using the music in a broadcast ex) television, radio, ect. Broadcast corporations pay blanket quarterly and annual performance payments to performing rights groups (PRO). The cue sheet are how the PRO's are able to get the money the broadcasters already paid to the musicians. Without the cue sheets the money wouldn't be able to be dispersed to the musician, and it would just collect in a big pile at the performing rights groups.

Just because you fill out a cue sheet DOES NOT mean you pay royalties, or additional fees. It is COMPLETELY royalty free for you. Its the motto buy once you forever no additional payments. The same is true if you see PRO registered music. That does not mean you are going to get dinged with extra fees, or have to pay some royalty payment in the future. It just means a lot of there music was being used in television, radio, ect, and they needed a way to collect money that was already paid to them for their music.

Thanks for the helpful info! So just to clarify though, I shouldn't have to worry about this for my podcast, right!

I wouldn't think so. (haha hopefully the other musician doesn't get mad at me). Personally I have licensed a lot of music for webisodes, podcasts, and that type of usage; and never thought anyone should file a cue sheet.

I am not sure how you podcast, but most people use 3rd party websites to host it. Those sites should already be paying performance royalties because they are the "broadcasters". Your podcast is a show, and they broadcast the show. Those broadcasters should be requesting cue sheets from you, and those broadcasters should file them with the appropriate PRO. That way the money they already paid gets distributed out. Some of those 3rd party podcasting sites are better at doing that then others. That is probably why you got the prompt about the cue sheets.

Probably the easiest solution is just contacting the musician and asking them what they think. Describe your podcast to them, and see if they say about it. It's hard for me to give you a "yes or no" answer because I know how I handle it but I can't speak for other musicians. If you are concerned about paying additional fees don't worry about that. As musicians we all agree to the Pond5 terms which is you pay once, and you will have no additional fees. I hope that helped!

Good advice! I will contact the musician directly just to be sure. Thanks again for your help!

No problem vickie, and good luck on your podcast!