Does anyone know anything about asking for rights about a song?

I was told that it was OK to record a song that was published as long as you're not making money off of it. Did I understand this wrong or just get wrong information? Does somebody know where I could get information on this subject? I will try asking permission if that's what you're supposed to do – or just not upload the songs to web sites... I only ask because My Space just kicked me out! My songs are off of my page and I can't log-in. Why the heck would they keep the rest of it up???? I don't want to get kicked out of anywhere else, but I did put in a lot of time into these particular songs for experience in doing my own songs.

I recorded 2 covers... the very first song I tried recording was an Aerosmith song from 1973, Seasons of Wither AND the very last song I recorded Ten Years After's I'd Love to Change the World. I would appreciate any help or information WITH some backup links... just cause i want to have a better excuse than "somebody told me it was OK."

Thanks!

Erik

[Amadeus]

As far as copyright law goes you can only record and publish a cover version of a song if you have express permission - usually in the form of a paid licensing agreement.

There are two different rights on recorded music 1) the rights to the song as per the sheet music 2) the rights to the recording. The songwriter/artist owns the song rights but generally grants them to a "music publisher". The recording of the song is generally owned by the record company. If you want to record and publish (ie post it online) a cover version of a recorded song then you need to obtain permission to use the song from the publisher (songs can be owned by more than one publisher) who own copyrights in the song. A good place to start looking for publisher details in www.ascap.com and SESAC Home

Basically, without permission from the publisher who holds the copyright for the song you cannot record and publish your own version (cover). Any website that you post covers to is compelled to remove this material so if you have posted such material here please remove it and get permission from the publisher before posting it again.

It would be great if people could post their covers and tributes on our site but unfortunately the legal position is pretty much outside of our control. Perhaps, some artists/producers on this site who know a lot more on the subject could chime in with some advice or opinion.

Admin

[Dave Fountain]

I only have an opinion about cover versions, any one can do a cover version, it's the easiest thing in the world especially when its done by ear almost exactly the same as the original, and sucking off compliments or a presence from someone else's ideas has always stunk the place out as far as I'm concerned. If we can't come up with stuff that we've done ourselves then we should knob off and do something we can do.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Take This at Pontins Holiday Camp lunchtime showtime.

[Superhuman]

Sometimes it's cool to hear someones homage (with the pretentious silent 'h') which is based on an original but doesn't follow it verbatim. Kind of like the recent entries on the Classical Interpretation Comp. I'm not really into hearing a cover version that is as it was written though, changing the genre for the music can be cool though but taking a theme and taking it off for a walk is way more interesting.

[Erik Jurado]

Originally Posted by Dave Fountain

I only have an opinion about cover versions, any one can do a cover version, it's the easiest thing in the world especially when its done by ear almost exactly the same as the original, and sucking off compliments or a presence from someone else's ideas has always stunk the place out as far as I'm concerned. If we can't come up with stuff that we've done ourselves then we should knob off and do something we can do.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Take This at Pontins Holiday Camp lunchtime showtime.

I'll bet you 2 reviews that you are wrong on 2 points of your post...

POINT ONE:
Anyone can do a cover version? Easiest thing in the world?
Do a better version than mine. I'm not sure how much experience you have playing all of the instruments, but I've been doing it since December and I have no experience in music and – except for a few great tips – have been trying to figure out on my own.. and that would be a LITTLE embarrassing if you couldn't actually pull it off after such a boisterous statement. (unless you were joking around and I just didn't get it.) PLUS... my mom can't do it. But, I'll forget that if you do show me a better version than mine, to prove to me that it was a bad idea to plagiarize a song.

POINT TWO:
Besides the Main Acoustic (that is one area you need for a good cover tune) f you can show me any instrument in the song where I recorded anything that is exactly the same (or close) as the original... I did my own thing with the guitar solo, only using a couple of starting riffs – one at the opening solo and one for the big solo, I did my own thing on the bass, and I changed some of the words to make it relevant to today's societal issues.

I used this song as a model to aim for to get a better sound out of my equipment so my recordings could have some reference to be achieved in order to have a more respectable final outcome – rather than the process I had been using. And again, this is something that I am doing not to get any fame or glory... but because I want to AND even though my experience in music is short, don't underestimate my love for music... that's been my teacher.

If you prove either of these claims...

... I will concede and review ANY 2 songs that you would like me to review (or give a detailed comments,) It will be honest and I will be open minded... I don't mind explaining myself to expose my reasons for doing someone else's song.

If you can't prove either of these claims – you give me detailed comments on..

... 1. The first song I wrote, DROWNING AGAIN.

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&

2. WHAT HAPPENED, SON? A song I gave to a friend as a vehicle for her poem about what her son must have gone through just before taking his own life. It has been

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I sent a request for permission to use the song and am waiting for the reply... I will respectfully remove it from this site for now, but I will leave a link to my website so you can try to prove your claim. I've been (hate to use the word, but) dying for someone to give me a detailed comment for What Happened, Son? not the instrumental version... the one with the words.

EDJ PODCAST now on iTunes!

[Dave Fountain]

I was leaving an opinion on cover versions as a whole Erik, yes I think they are easy to do if you can already play various instruments. I have no interest in hearing any and absolutely none in making any.

[Erik Jurado]

That's cool! I'm probably just being a little defensive now that I'm banned from my first web site!

I deleted the songs, so at least I'm "legal" now!


LOL!!

[Erik Jurado]

My first response from the publisher was a NO. I understood that they didn't want the lyrics manipulated. Did that mean, NO...NEVER? or NO... unless you keep the lyrics in tact. I SWEAR... the "attorney's" name is LOU POLES. What is that about??? Are they suggesting there is some way in? I'm not giving up on this... Does this mean I'm not giving up on this... NO... NEVER!!!? or I"m not giving up on this... unless they say no twice...

WE SHALL SEE!!!


I remember why I even thought about giving this song a go in the first place...

I was thinking more in the direction of trying to get a laugh or smile from a guy that helps me try to see the light. Rich told me about this site in February and I got this welcome from him on a comment of my song DROWNING AGAIN...

Wellcome Erik! I like this track. it reminds me of Ten years After. A very good thing. I was a huge fan of theirs in the '70's.. Oh s--t I'm giving away my age.. ez Rate -rl
LODATO - 24 February 2010


It started off as just a quickie cover to get a laugh, then turned serious, then turned obsolete.

[Superhuman]

Seriously, an attorney with a name Lou Poles?? That has to be a wind up!

[T-Bone]

I agree. Has to be a wind-up. Surely there can't be anyone with that name!