Hi, I am thinking about creating a radio app. This would play music from popular radio stations. Does this cause a copyright problem for me? I'd be grateful for advice on this one. John

Hi John, I think you'd have to pay some sort of licensing fees, since the stations themselves have to as well. Here's a web page that has a discussion about it: http://www.splc.org/knowyourrights/legalresearch.asp?id=112 Mark

You could probably incorporate music api's. Here is a link to some that I believe has music. You would have to look at the licensing requirements on the one you use though. -Shane

Thanks, Shane. Could you kindly provide the link, please? Thanks for your input Mark. I'll read the article. I'm not sure that an app is "broadcasting" though I might be wrong. John

http://dev.mashery.com Oops, my bad.

My only concern is that if the radio stations have to pay a fee for each song they play, I can't imagine a situation where it could be rebroadcasted/replayed where that app/site/person didn't have to legally pay a fee as well. We all know how the music business is with respect to getting their fair share! Mark

Thanks, Mark. I always tread super-carefully when it comes to copyright or any legal matter. I'm wondering if there is a way to do this perfectly legally and properly. I prefer to stay that way so I can sleep soundly at night! John.

As @Outbreak says, api's are probably the way to go. Here's a few: http://blog.programmableweb.com/2012/01/18/160-music-apis/ They all specify the terms of use, keep within the terms and you'll be fine. On the downside, integrating an api into an app (especially android) will likely be a complex job.

Thanks, Raveyd! Any other thoughts are appreciated. John

I would agree on the copyright issues with radio. Music is already pirated way to much on the internet. I would tread lightly on this @Higgey! LA

I think you'll need to create an individual app for each radio station, and make it their app. I have seen radio station apps out there, but for individual apps. This way, you also get another benefit, which is you can charge them, instead of them charging you.

(I use the term 'broadcast' in a liberal fashion to mean public reproduction in any manner) Typically 'broadcasting' audio requires a license, unless the content is in the public domain. Owning a CD and "owning the broadcast" rights are way different, even if online. If you originate the content, you gotta pay Ascap and BMI to ensure the artist gets theirs. And if you don't originate the content, you may have to license the originator, who has to pay 'their' ascap/bmi fees... http://www.ascap.com/licensing/types/web-mobile Cheers! -- Smug

Thanks everyone for your input. It appears that this is a legal minefield so I'm moving onto something else. I'd be grateful to hear from anyone with more information and I might come back to it if the legalities are clearer to me.