Disc Jockey Licensing/Registration

There is a difference between hiring a professional Disc Jockey and one that isn't.  There is no formal Disc Jockey licensing in the the State of Ohio nor in the U.S.  In Canada, DJ's have the option of obtaining a National DJ license.  SIHASI has DJ's who have worked for licensed radio broadcast stations.

CHECK FOR A LICENSED BUSINESS 

In Ohio, formal businesses should be licensed with the Secretary of State.  Be sure to research any "professional" Disc Jockey that you are considering for your event.  It is a good idea to research all of the vendors you hire for your wedding.  We legally operate under the names "SIHASI Sounds & Images", "Toledo Wedding Officiant" and "WeddingToledo" as registered with the State of Ohio, Secretary of State.  You can check on whether a business is legally registered in the State of Ohio by going to this site -

http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/bsqry/f?p=100:1

CHECK FOR BBB LEGITIMACY 

It is also good to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for all registered complaints against a business, as well as to see if a business is formally recognized.  In over 25 years of existence, SIHASI Sounds & Images has never had a registered complaint filed through the BBB.  Businesses do not have to be a paid member of the BBB to have a formal record of legitimacy through the BBB.  SIHASI Sounds & Images is not accredited through the BBB but we are listed and carry an "A+" rating, the highest rating given to any business.  To be accredited, we have to pay an extra fee.  Even without this, we are still recognized as a legitimate business.  To check any of your wedding vendors, go to this site.  Be concerned about any business that is either not recognized or carries lower than an "A+" rating.

http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/

CHECK FOR D&B RECOGNITION 

Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) is the foremost authority on recognizing legitimate businesses in the U.S.  If a business is legitimate and operating within the guidelines of a "real" business, they will be recognized and listed with D&B.  SIHASI Sounds & Images is recognized and listed with D&B, both with our former location in Sylvania, OH and our current location in Maumee, OH.  You can verify a business listing with D&B by going to the following site.  For a fee, D&B will give you a complete report of the business.  Reports on us from D&B are excellent.  What's most important is to find whether D&B recognizes and lists a business.

http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/

MUSIC LICENSING 

Music licensing is the right to use songs that are copyrighted by the performing artist.  Certain DJ's will tell you that they are licensed to play copyrighted music.  This is not true.  There are (3) major music licensing companies in the U.S., ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.  According to Bryn Caryl at ASCAP, "ASCAP does not license DJ's.  It is the venue, establishment, or promoter of an event that is responsible for public performance licensing, not the performer.  Private events such as weddings, etc. are exempt from licensing."  Jaqui Garian of BMI says, "BMI licenses the public performance of music; events such as private parties and weddings are not required to have a license."  David Derryberry of SESAC states, "Royalty fees are not collected for private performances."

As of January, 2013, there are over 200 people calling themselves professional DJ's in the Toledo, OH area.  Some of these claim to be businesses and some claim to have been in business for many years.  They will try to convince you that they are different for many reasons, but the proof is in the legtimacy of the business.  It is a serious risk to deal with businesses that are not legitimate.  Do your homework and save yourself a lot of grief in the long run.