I want to do a cover version of that song "I Am Free" that's been done by several artists. It is a Christian song, and I'm wondering what the copyright laws/legal procedures for doing a cover of the song would be. Also, do you think that the procedures would be different, considering it's a Christian song? Do you think that the artist(s) who did it would be more likely to allow my band to cover the song and release it on a CD?
2007-09-26 03:21:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Other - Music
This is something that many Christian artists do quite frequently... especially on the praise/worship side of things.
Also, back in the 1960s, there were very many songs that had been remade by other artists.
2007-09-26 03:24:59 · update #1
in the united states, it is written into the copyright law that permission is NOT needed from an author of a song after it has once been recorded. Thus cover versions are produced under what is called mechanical license. The copyright remains with the original author of course. The copyright office sets a statutory royalty rate to be paid to the original author through them for each record distributed. Most composers work with Harry Fox Agency, and you can get a mechanical license for many songs there as well, again they charge a royalty based on the number of records distributed.
The artists and previous recording labels do not get a royalty on covers, just the composer.
2007-09-27 08:58:46 · answer #1 · answered by lare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure Lil Drummer Boy is right, if you're going to cover a song and put it on a CD then you need permission from the band... because by selling the CD you're making money off of their song. Copyright laws apply to all genres of music.
Most of the time artists will give permission as long as you state who wrote the song on the CD, but the problem is getting in contact with them or their representatives to get the permission.
Simply performing the song live does not require permission from the band, but like I said putting it on a CD and selling the CD will.
2007-09-26 03:35:10 · answer #2 · answered by MC BC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's no legal issue if your doing a live cover. I mean look at all the cover bands we have roaming around the nation, just in the past 3 weeks I've heard of 2 different Dave Matthews cover bands in town. As long as your not taking away from their profit their not going to give you any hassle. Plus you can always say "well its my artist rendition of what you have written" thus its not plagiarism if you don't take credit for being the writer of the song.
2007-09-26 03:29:02 · answer #3 · answered by excelsiorgtr420 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is actually illegal to cover the song without getting permission.
What you need to do is find out who has the copyright on the song and get their permission to cover the song. A lot of people cover songs without getting permission, but it's not legal and they could be in trouble if caught.
Usually, you can get permission to use a song. You may have to pay some sort of fee, but maybe not. It's up to the copyright holder.
2007-09-26 03:40:09 · answer #4 · answered by Samantha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I could be wrong, but I think that you CAN do a cover version without royalties, etc. but you can't make money from it, and If you make money from it, you have to pay royalties to the artist.Again this is only my understanding.
2007-09-26 03:25:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just give proper attribition, aknowledge your source, and rock an roll. Go to it.
2007-09-26 03:27:00 · answer #6 · answered by Galen W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the track is an old one put traditional arrangement and your own name .....
2007-09-26 03:34:04 · answer #7 · answered by Justin Sane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋