Can someone please explain to me what the laws are as regards copying music? I ask because i am forever coming across bands online who cover music and surely they haven't all asked permission first which is what i thought you had to do? I know some people take liberties but the sheer volume of those doing it makes me think i may have got the laws wrong. Do they need permission or not?
2007-12-03 13:22:57 · 3 answers · asked by littlemiss_daisyrock 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They may be members of the copyright royalty tracking groups ASCAP and BMI, and that may be sufficient.
See www.chillingeffect.org for more definitive answers on copyright issues.
2007-12-03 17:42:03 · answer #1 · answered by Barry C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A band does not need special permission to sing a song at a concert or make a cover recording. What happens is they pay the normal royalty to the composer for recordings. If they have no contract with the composer for this, then they can pay a statutory fee called "mechanical rights" to the copyright office. Harry Fox Agency also collects these fees for the composer as an alternative method. ASCAP and BMI collect the fees due from concerts and similar performances. Bottom line is the composer gets the money no matter who sings or records the songs.
2007-12-06 12:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by lare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe that they need permission as long as they give the original owner credit & do not attempt to call the music their own.
2007-12-03 14:24:03 · answer #3 · answered by T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋