COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING NOTES
The work of Sir Noël Coward is fully protected by copyright worldwide. All uses of any work or part of any work requires a licence from the relevant organisation charged by the copyright owner NC Aventales AG to administer the work on its behalf.
The sheer volume of work which Coward generated throughout his life has led to different aspects of it being divided amongst a number of different organisations.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information provided below is accurate, the controller of the website has no liability for any errors or omissions. For further information, please contact Lisa Foster at Alan Brodie Representation Ltd (sarah@alanbrodie.com)
PLAYS
English language (except North America)
Professional: Alan Brodie Representation Ltd
Amateur: Samuel French Ltd (with a few exceptions)
English language North America
First Class: Alan Brodie Representation Ltd
Stock and Second Class: Robert A Freedman Dramatic Agency Inc
Amateur: Samuel French Incorporated (with a few exceptions)
Foreign language
Rights are handled by sub-agents in the relevant territories appointed by ABR Ltd. For further information, please contact Sarah McNair at sarah@alanbrodie.com
MUSICALS
English language (except North America)
Professional: Alan Brodie Representation Ltd
Amateur: Warner Chappell Music Ltd or Samuel French Ltd (with a few exceptions)
English language North America
First Class: Alan Brodie Representation Ltd
Stock and Amateur: Samuel French Incorporated (with a few exceptions)
COMPILATION SHOWS
For the use of songs in a dramatic context, worldwide rights are handled by ABR Ltd (but see the note under Songs )
COWARDY CUSTARD:
For UK amateur productions please contact Samuel French Ltd.
For UK professional
productions, please contact Alan Brodie Representation Ltd.
For US stock and amateur productions, please contact Samuel French Incorporated.
For US first class professional productions, please contact Robert A Freedman Dramatic Agency Inc.
OH COWARD:
For amateur and professional rights in the UK, please contact Alan Brodie Representation Ltd.
For US amateur and professional please contact Music Theatre International (www.musicalheaven.com).
PUBLICATION
Trade publications are mostly published by Methuen Drama. Acting play editions are published by Samuel French Ltd. and Samuel French Inc.
FILM, TELEVISION AND OTHER MEDIA
Worldwide rights are controlled by Alan Brodie Representation Ltd. However, certain play titles are controlled by film companies in particular territories. For further information contact Alan Brodie at alan@alanbrodie.com
SONGS
For these purposes songs include lyrics, music and any part thereof.
Worldwide music publisher is Warner Chappell Music Ltd/Inc. (There are some exceptions where songs are controlled by EMI). For the most part, any performance of the songs or music will be licensed by Warner Chappell Music but please note the following:
Live Performance of a Song
You can perform a song in a live context as long as you adhere to the following:
1. The venue in which you are performing must have a Performing Right Society (PRS) licence
2. You must not change the music and lyrics of the songs in any way without prior written consent obtained from the music publisher
3. You must not make an audio or audio-visual recording of the performance without prior consent from the music publisher and without an appropriate licence
4. You must not perform the song in a dramatic context. This means it must not be part of a narration or storyline (including telling the life story of Noel Coward), there must be no costumes (other than evening dress) or props, you cannot use any dialogue from the show from which the song originates without prior consent from Alan Brodie Representation Ltd. If you want to perform the song in a dramatic context then you must seek consent from the stage rights holder – see below
Recording a Song
1. If you want to make an audio recording of a song, you must obtain a licence from the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS). Telephone 020 7580 5544. For further information, please see MCPS...
2. If you want to make an audio-visual recording (eg, a film, tv programme, DVD, video) of a Coward piece, please see the section below
Using a song in a television commercial, film, video or any other audio-visual media
Any audio-visual use of a song requires a licence (usually called a synchronisation licence) either from the music publisher or the MCPS. In the first instance, you should contact the music publisher who will advise you
Using a song in a dramatic context, eg, a revue or compilation show
All uses of Coward works in a dramatic context, eg, a revue of all-Coward or part-Coward works or the inclusion of a Coward song in a play or a musical, require consent from Alan Brodie Representation Ltd and will need a licence. Please note that a cabaret show is classed as dramatic if you are telling the life story of Noel Coward or have any kind of narration included whether connected to Coward or not. If you are unsure whether your show is dramatic or not, please check either with the music publisher or Alan Brodie Representation Ltd. If you are using four songs or less in a revue using other material, the licence should be obtained from the music publisher
Reproducing Coward sheet music and/or lyrics
If you wish to reproduce or print any sheet music by Noel Coward, you must obtain permission to do so from the music publisher’s printed music representative, Faber Music. If you wish to reproduce or print any lyrics by Noel Coward, you must obtain permission from Methuen Drama (an imprint of A & C Black) which represents the lyric reproduction rights
Reproducing sheet music covers
The artwork for sheet music covers is often protected by copyright. Therefore, if you wish to reproduce any sheet music covers, you must obtain permission to do so from the music publisher’s printed music representative, Faber Music.
Website use of a song
The use of copyright works on websites, whether music-related websites or otherwise, requires a licence. Please contact PRS/MCPS for further information.
Mobile phone ringtones
If you want to establish a ringtone using a song, you will need to obtain a licence. Please contact PRS/MCPS for further information. If you are downloading a song as a ringtone, then please ensure that you are doing so from a legitimate source.
Using a recording by Noel Coward in a live performance
You may need a licence to do this. Please contact Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) for further information.
Using a recording by Noel Coward on an album or in an audio-visual context
You will require consent and a licence from the owner of the recording, eg, EMI Records, Sony Records etc.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGES
The copyright in photographs of Noël Coward is generally held by the photographer unless they have been purchased by a photographic library or other organisation or assigned to the Noël Coward Estate.
Photographs cannot be downloaded or used in any form without first receiving permission from the copyright owner.
TRADEMARKS
The image of Noël Coward is fully protected by trademark in North America. Further details can be obtained from Alan Brodie
Representation Ltd
.