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getting song rights
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Subject: getting song rights From: GUEST,Honest Frankie Date: 10 Apr 02 - 10:44 AM Howdy All, I play a regular Wednesday night solo gig in southern Ontario. For my one-yaer anniversary the bar wants to record the evening which should be good for a laugh and then maybe have a CD to sell to the regulars. I expect, if there is anything useable, that the grand sales might reach 100. Some will be trad. songs, some originals. My question is that if a contemporary song of someelse's ends up on the record how do I go about requesting permission and the like? Would it be all that important on such a small scale project? Thanks |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 10 Apr 02 - 11:09 AM It's usually good to try to at least contact the writer. S/he might give permission. It's the courteous thing to do. Explain that it's a benefit thing. There are two "permissions" needed. One is called "Mechanical" rights, and that pertains to the number of CDs or tapes, usually in the 0.07 per unit. The other is "Recording" rights, and that is usually nominal. Both fees sometimes get waived for a benefit thing. Now, the "Performance" rights are a whole different thing. In Canada, SOCAN looks after this. They require so-many dollars for every song/arrangement which is registered with them and performed in a public venue (such as a bar, radio station, or even in someone's store). |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: Mrrzy Date: 10 Apr 02 - 03:58 PM I misread the title of this thread - thought it was about getting songs right, which is an unfolky question, isn't it? |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: GUEST,Honest frankie Date: 10 Apr 02 - 04:11 PM So George, I should probably contact SOCAN? An example of one of the songs I could see me doing would be Log Driver's Waltz. Wade Helmsworth just passed away recently. Would I try and get hold of the publisher or would SOCAN be able to direct me? Thanks for the help. Hey, do you have Bob Dylan's phone number?! Frankie |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: Barbara Shaw Date: 10 Apr 02 - 05:08 PM You can get mechanical licences for many songs online through the Harry Fox Agency at www.Songfile.com. I did this for one of the songs on my self-produced CD (ShoreGrass In Connecticut) and it was quick and simple. The statutory rate was $37.75 for no more than 500 copies and less than 5 minutes. Also, there have been some previous threads about HFA and other copyright methods. I also got the rights for another song on my CD that wasn't handled by HFA by contacting the songwriter, who directed me to the publisher, who sent me a contract and gave me the license for the same amount. Don't know if any of this applies in Canada, but this is how it worked recently in the US for me. If any of the songs are originals, you might also join BMI or ASCAP or one of those organizations to register (also online) your songs. Many threads on those groups too, and much controversy pro and con. |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: Barbara Shaw Date: 10 Apr 02 - 05:14 PM Forgot to add that there were also 2 songs written by a personal friend. We asked him first of all if we could use his songs, and when the recording was done we sent him a check for $75.50. Trad songs are sometimes subjective. If you can find them on a public domain website, you can probably call them traditional and not have to pay any royalty. |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: GUEST Date: 10 Apr 02 - 10:00 PM A friend of mine covered a Stan Rogers song on a CD-R demo that he sent around to some clubs looking for gigs. It wasn't even for sale but he got a lawyer's letter from Stan's widow demanding payment. |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 11 Apr 02 - 03:31 AM GUEST, that's what can happen if you don't get permissions. Honest Frankie, yes, I would suggest contacting SOCAN as a minimum. However, remember they are only interested in the performance rights, and may not be able to help on the other rights. However, they can help on locating whomever is needed to be contacted for that. Also note sometimes it is the arrangement which is copyrighted, if a song is traditional. |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: GUEST,honest frankie Date: 11 Apr 02 - 11:46 AM Thanks folks. I guess it's just one of those processes that will take some time to learn. I'm waiting to see what SOCAN can tell me. Later. |
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Subject: RE: getting song rights From: Hrothgar Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:09 AM And if you're not getting songs right, claim credit for your arrangement...... |
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