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I was wondering if anyone had any experience with posting free downloads of demos on their websites that are cover songs.

My group is working on a demo CD of jazz and latin standards. Since we will not be selling this particular CD, only giving it away as a sample of us - what are the copyright issues?

Do we have the right to give away our recordings of these songs on the Internet, and what are the legal ramifications?

Any help would be greatly appreciated from an experienced soul

best

jason

Comments

pmolsonmus Tue, 04/20/2004 - 17:46

FYI,
The organization that handles most (not all) mechanical rights issues is the Harry Fox Agency.

It is a relatively easy process, especially if you know who has the copyright on the particular songs. If you don't there's a great searchable data base.

If the music exists in print form anywhere, there is no "permission to record" step in the process if they handle the rights. You just give them the info about your recording and the sale/distribution # of units. Pay the fee by credit card and you're done with that song. Do it for every copyrighted song you record and you're through the process. I've completed a CD's worth of mechanical rights in under an hour. That is how it is at least for educational institutions. It used to take 3-4 weeks.

maintiger Wed, 04/21/2004 - 10:31

if you do it online (I believe harryfox.com) you can pay with a credit card - you will have to buy the rights for 500 copies at least but you will print the receipt and be legaly entitles to make 500 copies of whatever song. I did it for a client who recorded a Cd of covers not too long ago and it was relatively painless (except for the money, of course!) :lol: