@creepmike77 I'll be recording a new mastering video over this weekend, so hopefully will be uploaded as next Wednesday's weekly bandlab RU-vid video on my channel 😀👍
Trev, have a question and was wondering if you might have the answer, or at least be able to give some insight. Bandlab makes it plain as day that an individual can not get paid off of cover songs , which is completely understandable. I think they may even not allow, or at least frown, on even uploading cover songs. My question is this. Weird Al did not have copyright approval whenever he would cover parady a specific song. I just read this on his Website several days ago. He didn't have it because the style of cover he was doing, rewritting the lyrics, was gave him license to do just that. He would acknowledge though. I'm a talented singer but vocals is my department. Not instrumentals. I ask because I've rewritten a good amount of songs. They are not parodies but moreso lyrics that give insight about the dangers of religion, tribalism ect and the negative impacts they have on our world. And some what would be considered "modern pop adult secular" rewrites as well too. I read through bandlabs copyright info and didn't see anything that answered this question. Naturally I don't want to do anything Im not supposed to. But naturally as well do feel i have some possible hits on my hand and am asking where could I post to gain traction if not bandlab? Your insights are always appreciated sir.
@ChristianEdwards-me9rm Hi, first let me say that despite what you might read on the internet, no one is exempt from copyright. Copyright law is quite complicated so I am not surprised how many people do not understand it. In simple terms, copyright means the owner has the right to request that someone does not use their copyright material and request a payment for any use of the copyright material (usually based on how many plays and/or how much money was made from it). In other words, the copyright owner has to be the one to enforce their copyright and there is nothing that says they have to. Record companies typically have enough money to enforce their copyright and some will block anyone using their copyright material, but some will seek a payment and some may not do either. Here in the UK, some of it is controlled by the Musicians Union. Record companies generally have an arrangement with streaming websites about how to respond to cover songs. To complicate things further, exactly what is unique enough to actually qualify as copyright material is hard to define. Also copyright laws can be different in different countries. Change a note or a chord here or there, sing different words and change the tempo, etc and your song will probaby be different enough from the original to no longer be a copyright issue. Sites like youtube will usually inform you when you upload a song if there is a copyright issue (and may even let you know what options are available to you).
@IbandUK Thank you for taking the time to respond. "Fair Use" rights have become a lot more strict in the social streaming era. You pretty much gave the same response as the Dixie Chick's attorney, who has several RU-vid videos posted that cover copyright, fair use, copyright law suits ect. So it sounds like you know what you're talking about, which is what I expected, and why I asked. He was able to put a perspective on it that I had not prior thought about, and that's that certain re writes/adapted covers can add to the value of the original sometimes. I'm a talented drawing artist as well and because I know you're an artist, I do need you to know that I would never infrginge upon another's work or even alter it w/ out giving them the proper credit due. But as well I'm also fully aware that there's "nothing new under the sun" as they say, and that every song, story, work is at is true essence a work of similar inspiration, inspired by what can only be countless others over the passage of time. Because of that I do, would have, always will, at least have the common courtesy, professional respect,h to acknowledge those whom have inspired myself, when/if, I've used their content. As always thanks for sharing your insights.
