If I write bass/guitar lines for songs in a band then leave, who owns the lines?

Question

I joined a band learned their songs then actually wrote may parts which were completly new parts. Do I own those lines then or can they use them for whatever they want. Also if one of the songs with my lines is recorded do I own a piece of that as well? Thanks in advance just curious as to how the system works.

Answer 1

Here are some letters you need to get more familiar with

ASCAP

Unless you straighten this mess out with them, then forget it. As far as your rights and what you own a monkey might as well have written the music. YOU have nothing.

Answer 2

I don't really have a favorite line, song, or band. But right now I'm listening to Death Cab for Cutie, and I love these lyrics. We're starting to feel We stayed together out of fear Of dying alone I've been slipping through the years My old clothes don't fit like they once did So they hang like ghosts Of the people I've been It's like my heart can't take My fall in love every day And I feel like a fool I have to face the truth That no one could ever look at me like you do Like I'm something worth holding on to These times I think of leaving But it's something I'll never do 'Cause you can do better than me But I can't do better than you

Answer 3

Well, they can use them for whatever they want, unless you had some sort of copyright on them.

As for your parts in recordings, I think the entire song is classed as 'owned' by the people listed as writers in the CD inlay etc. Often, the rights to a whole song are owned by a record company or equivalent.

Answer 4

If they're copyrighted, they're yours. If you own a portion of the copyright of the song, you're entitled to a percentage of anything they make off the song. If it's a matter of who uses the material - you have to take that up with a lawyer and get some kind of agreement drawn up.

Answer 5

if u wrote and copyrighted them I'm pretty sure ther urs. but if u dinnit copyright them i dont think anyone owns them.

Answer 6

It is intellectual property, therefore it is yours unless you signed something that says the contrary!