Legality/copyright question...

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:58 am

Okay, so I had a girl come in and sing. One take we did was of her favorite song which, while reasonably popular in the late 80's R&B world, has never been a stand-out chart buster.

I have used bits and pieces of this in a song. My song is one that I wrote 100% and bears *zero* similarity to the other song. I have REXed (ReCycle) pieces of her singing the first song, and it makes most of the vocal track. As a matter of fact, I wrote the bulk of the song before I thought to add the vocals.

The person who wrote the lyrics could probably notice several lines though they're out of order, and we're talking like maybe 4 sentences out of a pretty wordy original tune.

So, the recording is mine. The song is mine. The (few) lyric lines are borrowed, rearranged and truncated to make new lyrics. Basically, I have done a highly selective remix of the vocals where all the source recordings are mine.

Question: Do I have a problem, legally, or is this sort of a fair-use thing becasue it really sounds nothing like the original and I haven't used their recording?

Thanks-
.nick

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 6:47 am

Nick,

I've been sitting back and watching this not get answered...... and did not want you to feel deliberately ignored......

I have pondered this - and believe that your best bet would be to contact an attorney who specilizes in this field.

This is a tickilish subject - and although the people here might be experts in the field of music - they are not generally experts (although some may be) in law.

And that sir, is the very best advice i can give to you.

Happy Hunting

Rod

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:43 pm

Rod-

Sage advice.

And thanks for keeping me from hanging out in the cold with this toughie!

best-
.nick

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