I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

[Kosh Naranek]

Is the Harry Fox agency still the source to go to for a license to sell or upload a cover of someone else's song? I see they are online now. I dealt with them once many years ago.

I see a lot of people posting their renditions of other peoples' songs on sites like soundcloud. I'd really like to record and post my versions of a few cover songs there.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

I actually wonder how many would either know they should, or bother to then do so. I'd have thought it nearly impossible to track down all those who've recorded cover versions, or even those who've played over the original.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

The critical point is selling. If you are asking for money, the composer, publisher and any other interested copyright holding parties are legally entitled to a cut.

The polite thing to do is make a request ahead of time. In the event of a refusal, you have wasted no resources on rehearsal or recording.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

I actually wonder how many would either know they should, or bother to then do so. I'd have thought it nearly impossible to track down all those who've recorded cover versions, or even those who've played over the original.

That's true. I'm sure a lot of people just go ahead and post covers without getting a license. But sites like soundcloud do have rules against that kind of thing. I'm less worried about getting sued or anything that drastic (I don't intend to sell any covers I record, just post them for enjoyment), than I am about getting material pulled, or perhaps my account suspended for posting a cover song.

I took a look on the Harry Fox Agency site. They now have a service called Songfile, that "lets you cover your favorite songs for the creation and distribution of CDs, permanent digital download, ringtones, and interactive streaming." Sounds like that's what I would have to use.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

You might actually have to worry about cover songs because you have a LOT of followers and your stuff gets many plays. If they axed your account, it would be a tragedy.

Most of us who upload cover tunes don't have many followers and don't get many plays. I'm lucky to get 20 plays a week, so nobody will ever know what I upload... if they axed my account, my 7 followers wouldn't give a crap.

Harry Fox? Looks like you've done your research. Good luck and let us know when you get it sorted out!

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

Crap. I found out that a given song may be licensed partially through the Harry Fox agency, and partially through another agency! Grrr! And in such cases, one must obtain a license from both agencies to use the song. And the one I have recorded falls in this category, so I'm gonna have to track down a second company to request (and pay for) a license from. Dammit.

Posting this in case anyone is interested in this info.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: I want to get license/permission to upload a cover song

Interesting.