Covers on album question
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- gettin' sounds
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Covers on album question
I want to put a few songs that are covers, but I plan on charging like a dollar or two only to cover costs of manufacturing/shipping. Since I am making no profit from this would I still have to legally be responsible for royalties or anything like that? I'm not worried about it because I won't be selling many if any, but it was just on my mind and got me thinking.
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Re: Covers on album question
Legally, yes, you're responsible for seeking permission to use the material so that royalties can be sorted out, but if it's small-time you'll probably get away with it.
Re: Covers on album question
If you go to the harry fox agency on the web, you'll learn all you need to know about what you should pay for each cover.
Not paying the fee is illegal.
Paying the fee for most of us who press 100 CDs and give half of them away is stupid. I did an album of Dylan covers and the fee came to something like $1000. I only paid $200 to press the damn thing.
I wish they'd come up with a small run fee (under 5000 copies) so that I wouldn't feel like a criminal (but don't worry - I'll get over it).
Not paying the fee is illegal.
Paying the fee for most of us who press 100 CDs and give half of them away is stupid. I did an album of Dylan covers and the fee came to something like $1000. I only paid $200 to press the damn thing.
I wish they'd come up with a small run fee (under 5000 copies) so that I wouldn't feel like a criminal (but don't worry - I'll get over it).
- joelpatterson
- carpal tunnel
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Re: Covers on album question
If you don't feel like a criminal, something's wrong with you.
Just in general, everyday.
Just in general, everyday.
Re: Covers on album question
Sorry, Joel - do you mean that I should feel like a criminal for having recorded Dylan's songs? I honestly cannot afford $1000 on my income, and I gave most of the CDs away.
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- zen recordist
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Re: Covers on album question
Tell that to Dylan's publishing complany and see if they think you should feel like a criminal. Since they own the songs and you don't, then if they say you should feel like a criminal, you should probably feel like a criminal. If they say you shouldn't worry about it, then you're in the clear, morally.Tim Casey wrote:Sorry, Joel - do you mean that I should feel like a criminal for having recorded Dylan's songs? I honestly cannot afford $1000 on my income, and I gave most of the CDs away.
Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC
Re: Covers on album question
"A good composer does not imitate; he steals." -Igor Stravincky
Re: Covers on album question
I'll try to get in touch with Dylan. I wouldn't mind sending him $100 (which is a lot for me as a teacher) for the pleasure of playing his songs. However, I think the fee of $1000 was a bit excessive. Nary a penny was made on this venture, so it's not like I'm getting rich on another man's labors. And I'm not taking money out of his record royalties, either.
But I do think there should be a "pittance" schedule in the Harry Fox Agency's pricing structure for short-runs and/or non-profits. I did a church benefit CD for the choir; the pressing cost $400; the royalties came to $1600, and that included arrangements of ancient tunes. That was a big chunk of the fundraising money.
But I do think there should be a "pittance" schedule in the Harry Fox Agency's pricing structure for short-runs and/or non-profits. I did a church benefit CD for the choir; the pressing cost $400; the royalties came to $1600, and that included arrangements of ancient tunes. That was a big chunk of the fundraising money.
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- zen recordist
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Re: Covers on album question
I agree totally.Tim Casey wrote:But I do think there should be a "pittance" schedule in the Harry Fox Agency's pricing structure for short-runs and/or non-profits.
By the way, it's not Dylan you should be trying to reach, it's his publishing company. Big difference.
Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC
- andyg666
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Re: Covers on album question
if you're making CD-Rs, most dupe houses won't make you get permission to use cover tunes, even though it's illegal. just make sure you put the songwriter on your liner notes, and you're cool in my book. you're not selling these to make a profit, really, so you're not stealing money from people. if you're getting CDs (1000+ usually) you will have to get grant of rights and IRMA forms signed.
in the future, write more original material for your next release.
in the future, write more original material for your next release.
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