Matt May has provided a great overview on the many hurdles to properly licensing music for your Podcasts. Though many people are violating copyright like it’s nobody’s business, simple truth is IT IS someone’s business and they’re gonna track you down.

I’ve commented to many in the past that Podcasting is most coquetish when it comes to violating copyright. Peer to Peer provides users with a certain threshold of anonymity, and therefore,”protection”. Of course, Podcasting is the exact opposite. We produce a show, violate the law, and then ANNOUNCE it to as many people as possible. The expression “shooting fish in a barrel” seems aptly appropriate.

I’ll wrap up with Matt’s wise caution:

It is important to know this stuff now, to avoid a meltdown later. Should you decide not to go the licensing route, and your show becomes popular, you may be in for a rude awakening down the road. Remember the filesharing lawsuits? Of course you do. That’s just a publicity stunt compared to what people could be facing if they ignore these rights wholesale. All of these agencies sue infringers like it’s their job. Because it is. And the law is on their side.

I can hear it already: “But I’m a non-profit! I’m not making any money on this at all! Yes, we know. But there’s no provision for that in the law. You’re broadcasting, as far as they and the law are concerned, and that means keep records, report playlists, and pay up.

Source: bestkungfu weblog, “Podcasting, music and the law”