Sessions from last fall’s Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) continue to be released via Gigavox Media’s Podcast Academy site. The latest session is of interest to any podcaster who wants or needs to include music in their episodes. “Music Licensing for Podcasts and New Media” covers a lot of ground in under an hour. (And I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is to at least listen and consider some of the issues brought up in this podcast.)

Panelists include Personal Life Media‘s Tim Bratton (formerly of the Rhapsody music service), podcaster and attorney Colette Vogele (co author of the Creative Commons’ Podcasting Legal Guide), Kevin Arnold (also formerly of Rhapsody, presently IODA/Promonet), and (Peermusic) Jonathan Kehl.

The discussion begins with a basic explanation of the four different types of music licensing rights (performance, mechanical, master use, synchronization rights) and defines copyright and legal terms podcasters should know and understand. Colette Vogele gives a sobering view of what can happen if you don’t “play” by the copyright rules. Podsafe and indie music alternatives are discussed, as well.

The audio of the session is available here.