Are cover versions legal?
Cover Song Licensing Once a musical work has been published, anyone can record a cover version of the song by obtaining a mechanical license. A song is published when copies or recordings are distributed to the public for sale or rent. A live performance is not publication.
What is meant by a cover version?
A cover song is a new recording or performance of a song by an artist other than the original composer or performer(s). A cover song is colloquially known as a cover version or cover.
Why is it called a cover version?
The term “cover” goes back decades when cover version originally described a rival version of a tune recorded to compete with the recently released (original) version. The Chicago Tribune described the term in 1952: “trade jargon meaning to record a tune that looks like a potential hit on someone else’s label.”
What makes a cover legal?
Once an artist releases their musical work, anyone can create and distribute their own sound recording of the work (i.e. release a ‘cover’) as long they secure a mechanical license and pay the owner of the musical work a ‘mechanical royalty’ (currently 9.1 ¢ per copy of the song).
Do artists need permission to cover songs?
1. You Don’t Need Permission to Cover a Song. A common misconception in the music industry is that you need to receive permission from the original composer in order to record a cover version of their song. However, US copyright law makes it much easier than that for artists wishing to cover a piece of music.
Can you use a cover of a song without copyright?
When someone records and releases a song, you are free to do your own cover version of that song by obtaining a mechanical or “compulsory” license. Then, every time your cover version is sold or reproduced, you (or your record label) must pay the statutory royalty fee for that song (currently 9.1¢ per copy in the US).
Are covers fair use?
Book covers, album covers, and movie covers are copyrightable. However, fair use, a provision of U.S. copyright law, gives users the right to use copyrighted material without permission under certain circumstances. If a use is fair, the user need not notify or seek permission from the copyright holder.
Can I Post covers on Spotify?
Of course, it’s not legal to just toss any cover song up on Spotify — you need to obtain the publishing rights first. For artists on labels, Spotify will often clear publishing rights depending on its terms of agreement with the artists’ distributors.
Do cover songs violate copyright?
Cover song videos are NOT protected by a mechanical license. Once a song is published, you have the right to cover it (as a recording, but NOT as a video).
The term “cover” goes back decades when cover version originally described a rival version of a tune recorded to compete with the recently released (original) version. Examples of records covered include Paul Williams ‘ 1949 hit tune “The Hucklebuck” and Hank Williams ‘ 1952 song ” Jambalaya “.
What are the rules for making a cover version?
(1) Any person desirous of making a cover version, being a sound recording in respect of any literary, dramatic or musical work, where sound recordings of that work have been made by or with the licence or consent of the owner of the right in the work, may do so subject to the provisions of this section:
Is it legal to make a cover version of a song?
Furthermore, a cover version can be made only in the same medium as that of the original song, unless such medium is no longer in commercial use. The provision also places restrictions on the creator of a cover version from making any alteration in the literary or musical work.
Do you need a license to make a cover version?
It should also be noted that a statutory license for the creation of a cover version shall be granted only after the expiration of five years from the publication of the original song. Furthermore, a cover version can be made only in the same medium as that of the original song, unless such medium is no longer in commercial use.