Covers

[Stiff]

Hi guys,

Not really Digi related, but does anyone have a link or something to a site explaining the "rules" of doing covers? I have heard so many different versions of what's legal and what's not... Maybe somebody could shed some light on this?

[minister]

some genreal stuff i know is: it's ok to play in a cover band i a bar because (most) they have a bmi and/or ascap blanket. so, feel free. if you want to put it on you album, you have to contact the song writing copywrite holder and work out a deal -- usually ends up being some kind of mechanical royalty. if you want to put it in a video, then agian, you need to contact the copywrite holder and obtain the rights to reperform it. they'll want to know, what kind of video, how many copies, who is the audience, blah, blah...

[Stiff]

if you want to put it on you album, you have to contact the song writing copywrite holder and work out a deal -- usually ends up being some kind of mechanical royalty.

This is where I hear different answers. Is the royalty always the same or is it different in different cases?

The reason I thought of this right now is because I just saw Mick Jagger on TV talking to a little girl.
Girl: "Did you know Britney did <some song>?"
Jagger: "Yes I did"
Girl: "Did she ask you?"
Jagger: "No you don't have to ask, if the song is done it's done"

[minister]

This is where I hear different answers. Is the royalty always the same or is it different in different cases?

in my experience, it ends up being a negotiation between the new band and its label (if there is one) and the copywrite holder. the permission can come at different pricings depending on many factors. chances are, britney didn't just cover 'street fightin' man" or whatever, and not get permission to cover the song in recorded form. but there are no SET fees for this.

[Stiff]

Ok, thanks for your reply

[John Link]

Mick Jagger knows his stuff on this one. Once a song has been recorded and released anyone may release a cover, without any negotiation required, provided a mechanical license is obtained and the statutory fee is paid to the owner of the copyright.

Look here for how to obtain a mechanical license:
http://www.harryfox.com/public/licen...Mechanical.jsp

Look here for the statutory fees:
http://www.harryfox.com/public/licenseeRateCurrent.jsp

If a song is to be used in a theatrical production then the fees are negotiable.

John Link

P.S. By the way, "mechanical" as in "mechanical license" is an archaic term that refers to records, which were once known as mechanicals. Come to think of it, "records" is also archaic, isn't it?

[Stiff]

Thanks for your reply and for posting those links! Very helpful.

[John Link]

You're welcome.

John Link