|
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Posting covers of songs on our band's website?
Posting covers of songs on our band's website?
Page:
1
Rgsccr
238 posts
Apr 15, 2014
11:22 AM
|
Hi,
The band that I am in has started gigging, and begun creating a presence. We have a Facebook page and a Reverbnation page, and have posted an original song (not for distribution - just as a sample of what we do). We would like to post additional song clips (maybe ten or fewer songs, again, not for sale or distribution), but everything else we do is a cover. I emailed the Harry Fox Agency asking what we need (I'm guessing a mechanical license), but their response seemed geared toward a band that is selling/distributing songs. I also have inquired at Limelight, but haven't heard back yet. Can anyone here tell me how to go about this? While I realize that it is unlikely that we would be seen/heard by anyone with copyrights, I want to do this correctly, and certainly don't want to cheat anyone out of royalties they deserve. Forgive me if I am not posing the questions properly, but, as you can tell, I am pretty new to this side of things. Thanks,
Rich
|
BluesJacketman
127 posts
Apr 15, 2014
12:02 PM
|
The guitar player in my band released an album with 2/3 covers about 10 years ago, an I asked him how he went about securing the rights to those songs. He told me that he was told he didn't need to worry and that if his album got picked up for distribution by a major label would deal with it. His album is currently distributed by a independent label(himself). So I wouldn't worry. Unless your making a profit none of those people and estates care enough.
|
mr_so&so
809 posts
Apr 16, 2014
11:46 AM
|
Rgsccr, you might want to read this recent thread on legalities. I'm no legal expert, but if you do it, I'd suggest making sure you name the original song-writer and performer, and don't post the complete song, just a "sample". When you perform live, the venue should cover performance rights for you. The good news is that many blues songs are public domain anyway, and there are links in the thread to look them up, if you are not sure.
----------
|
Rgsccr
239 posts
Apr 16, 2014
1:36 PM
|
mr so&so,
Thanks for the link to that thread - I do remember looking at it. I probably should do a search next time. One of the most useful comments in that thread is a link to a website called the Originals.
http://www.originals.be/en/originals.php?id=2899
Most of the songs my band does were found by the search on that site. Unfortunately, although we perform a lot of older songs from Robert Johnson, Sleepy John Estes, etc. none of them are in the public domain (pre 1923).
The only exception might be "Mary Had A Little Lamb (SRV version). I assume, even though like SRV, we aren't singing it like the nursery rhyme, that doesn't matter, right? So I guess I am still back to the question of posting our performances of covers that are not public domain, and what we need to do.
Last Edited by Rgsccr on Apr 16, 2014 1:38 PM
|
mr_so&so
810 posts
Apr 16, 2014
2:55 PM
|
Rgsccr, your best free advice on YT cover videos is probably from the lawyer's blog that I referenced in my first post on that thread. I think it's best to be armed with as much knowledge as possible, rather than to take the "don't worry, be happy" (and do what you please) approach. Let us know what you end up doing. I'm sure there are lots of others in your situation.
----------
|
CarlA
488 posts
Apr 16, 2014
3:09 PM
|
|
Rgsccr
240 posts
Apr 17, 2014
9:43 AM
|
Here is the answer I got from Alex at Limelight (which like Harry Fox can provide the required licenses for cover songs):
"Yes, if you're offering out streams (where people can listen but not download), you would still need a license + pay royalties. Alternatively you can approach the publisher and ask for a gratis license for such usage, though it can be difficult to secure."
So, it sounds like if you are going to do things right it would be necessary to buy licenses. From what I looked at before, I don't think it is too expensive to do this, maybe $150 for up to 10 songs. If my band decides to post songs I'm sure we will do this. Not only do I want to avoid any potential legal issues (no matter how slight), but, even more, because I do believe that whoever owns the rights to material should receive the benefits due them. Then we can truly be happy and not worry.
Last Edited by Rgsccr on Apr 17, 2014 9:43 AM
|
Rgsccr
241 posts
Apr 17, 2014
5:43 PM
|
While I agree with Martin in some sense, particularly with regard to the older blues songs which often were ripped off with the original artists getting little or nothing, I am not sure I feel good about ripping anyone off. Also, some of the songs our band does and which we might want to post, like "She Caught the Katy," "I Wish You Would," The Thrill is Gone," belong (I assume, maybe incorrectly)to artists who are still alive. At any rate, they do not belong to me.
|
Post a Message
|
