Guesses on cost for using a piece of Star Wars music in a commercial?

[brassplyer]

Anyone versed in music licensing? What would you guess they had to pay to use around 6 seconds of Star Wars thematic material for this German commercial? Comes in at 1:07.

[DB83]

$0


If it was directly from the soundtrack there could be issues. But I guess that this is an original composition with minimal sampling. Of course artists have often sued when other artists 'borrow' their material.

[brassplyer]

$0

If it was directly from the soundtrack there could be issues. But I guess that this is an original composition with minimal sampling. Of course artists have often sued when other artists 'borrow' their material.

Not from the soundtrack but since the commercial has a clearly outlined Star Wars theme - there's no way anyone is going to buy that it's "coincidentally similar" my non-attorney assumption is that the owners of the music are going to expect a tithe. But I don't know the details of whether you can use even a short piece of an iconic melody for commercial purposes without paying for the privilege and of course there are international copyright issues.

[DB83]

Something much more obvious in this Xmas ad from a large UK retailer


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTttgc0DPA4

[sum_guy]

Star Wars franchise was purchased by Disney

https://www.disneystudiolicensing.com/

[DB83]

Sorry if I appear to be hijacking your topic. But here is another (and my last) from a small UK independent store that cost a mere £100 to make. Out-performed the John Lewis ad from that year.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDtCXO71FJU


No doubt the performer paid her royalties for the song and a great commercial for her as well.


But back to the earlier comment. Not being a Star Wars fan I do not know just how 'iconic' that sample was. The retailer who made the ad is a large German firm but I still do not see them paying big.

[TimA-C]

I don't remember seeing that ad for Hafod that you linked to. Nice enough, but I am worried about the child labour laws being so flagrantly flouted!

As for the Star Wars music - it's a pretty darned iconic sample! My O-level German was never very good - even 40+ years ago when I was being taught it - but I'm guessing that the company will be marketing and selling official Star Wars merch, which would (surely) be of benefit to Disney, wouldn't it? I doubt they paid much for the Humongously Iconic sample.

(Next you'll be telling us that you're not a fan of Santa! Or that you never shed a tear whilst watching E.T.!!! Or that 'Die Hard' isn't a Christmas movie! Pah!)

[DB83]

'Santa'


I always put out two stockings. Yet they were typically filled with a apple and an orange and a bag of nuts. Not what I expected to be filled by two stockings


That Co. also operates Lidl's. Go around their stores and point me to the bulk of their licensed products.

[Cornucopia]

IANAL, but I have dealt with stuff like this before. Since that composition is more medley-like and had to have been custom performed by an orchestra the rights involved are just performance clearance rights and, since this is being performed for a tv commercial, synchronization rights.
Those would likely be negotiated using a table that noted:use type, media type(s), market(s), duration of music to clear, duration of whole program, duration of exposure (how long it will be available to be shown to the public), and rotation of exposure (how many times throughout the duration it will be repeated).
This could be anywhere from a couple of 100$ (or more rightly Euros) to a couple of hundred THOUSAND $/€.

Ballpark wild educated guess would 10-20k, just for that segment, not counting other segments that need clearance, nor the cost of hiring the orchestra and performance and recording, etc..

If dealing with just music to be cleared for performance, check out ASCAP or BMI. If needing synchronization rights, especially if those are the known recorded pieces being used (rather than a new performance) one would most likely check out Harry Fox Agency, which is AFAIK the largest clearinghouse for such things.

FYI, re StarWars, I am only a CASUAL fan, as I will see the movies once or twice when they come out but don't get into the books or other merch, etc. But, I recognized that clip immediately.


Scott

[DB83]

Some background info re the Kaufland Star Wars commercial


https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/supermarkets-star-wars-inspired-christmas-7081098


No costs mentioned but 'shot with permission'

[brassplyer]

Not being a Star Wars fan I do not know just how 'iconic' that sample was. The retailer who made the ad is a large German firm but I still do not see them paying big.

If you're not familiar with the Star Wars soundtrack I recommend giving the soundtrack(s) a listen - John Williams created some superb music.

[DB83]

Oh. I know that one (the first).

[jagabo]

Something much more obvious in this Xmas ad from a large UK retailer


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTttgc0DPA4

https://youtu.be/JhjyTE0f6tY?t=5116

[DB83]

^^ I do not think I ever saw the film. That song, though, was a big hit as a single for the singer-composer over here.


But there seems to be some controversy about the latest take on it.


https://www.nme.com/news/music/john-lewis-deny-copying-together-in-electric-dreams-cov...advert-3093957

[jagabo]

^^ I do not think I ever saw the film.

It's an entertaining film with lots of good music.

That song, though, was a big hit as a single for the singer-composer over here.

But there seems to be some controversy about the latest take on it.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/john-lewis-deny-copying-together-in-electric-dreams-cov...advert-3093957

The Portraits use of the song for Covid19 victims adds a whole new poignancy to the song.

[lordsmurf]

FYI, re StarWars, I am only a CASUAL fan, as I will see the movies once or twice when they come out

I saw most of those theatrical. For me, most memorable was ROTJ, a special early screening, and the audience was full of "little people"**, actors/extras from the movie itself, none of whom had yet seen the movie themselves. Harrison Ford was supposedly there, but we never saw him. (**as referred to then, not sure what PC term is wanted now)

When I saw this commercial, the only thought I had was "where was that little girl when I was 10?!" (or whatever age they are there). A lot of scifi/comic culture was looked down on, unlike today where it's celebrated.

Thanks for the costs breakdown. But I do wonder how it changes for UK compared to USA or Canada.

[brassplyer]

When I saw this commercial, the only thought I had was "where was that little girl when I was 10?!" (or whatever age they are there).

Yeah, I wasn't burdened with adorable neighbor girls making goo goo eyes at me either - lol. The girl I had a huge crush on in elementary school decidedly did *not* reciprocate it.