How do cover bands pay for the right to play the copyright music of the bands they cover?

Answer 1

(Most venues pay a license fee to ASCAP and/or BMI, the two big music licensing houses, for the performance rights to the songs in the companies' catalogues. The cover bands are probably violating copyright by profiting from the performances, but really the music publishers only go after the venues.)

Answer 2

Although Bill's answer is correct if the songs are recorded, most cover bands that you see playing in bars don't pay royalties at all. There are just too many cover bands for the record labels to go after that they just sort of let it happen. But if a song is recorded, then royalties must be paid to the original songwriter(s).

Answer 3

Through royalty payments. The cover bands publishing company will pay a percentage of all sales to the publishing company of the original writer. The publishing company then shares a percentage of that with the writer.

Answer 4

ascap etc...these answers are true however cover bands r not recording to sell these songs so no rights r violated and they cant play or sing exactly like the bands who produced music so thats a loophole.....and anyway thats the highest form of flattery...