Internet, Cover Music, with or without Myspace

[phillm47]

A cover band I play with wants to put up a web site, complete with music from the demo CD we recorded. This music is not original material, just cover tunes. If one creates a website for their band, can one legally post audio demos of "cover tunes", as long we are the ones who performed it?

We we're thinking of just using Myspace, but have server space outside of this if necessary.

Forgive my ignorance on this matter.

Thanks in advance

[gottawalk]

I think, (and don't quote me on this), that if you're not charging people for your music, which would require paying the original artist royalties, then it's okay to post "covers" on the internet.

[IanStephenson]

Charging people has nothing to do with it.

Technically you can't do it legally without permission/licensing/royaties.

In practice it's pretty low on the radar of infringements.

Ian

[OtterOnBass]

Just remember it's COPYright - the right to control the copy of original material.

So, if you are copying the song, it's violating the copyright. If you're changing/reinterpreting the song, it's yours. How much needs to change to make it yours is a good question.

I'm no lawyer, but in one of my college classes we covered this. Also, this is not to be interpreted as legal advice, and I accept to responsibility for your actions.

[IanStephenson]

Originally Posted by OtterOnBass

If you're changing/reinterpreting the song, it's yours.

No...

If you're changing it/reinterpreting it then it's a "derived work". Still covered by the original authors copyright, though you may also have a share of the rights to the new work.

Ian

[meev992]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal, but it's also very low on the radar, like IanStephenson said.

My teacher says if it's "Seven notes in a row, you're in trouble" or something like that.

[MonetBass]

It's cool to have the tunes on your MySpace page. You CAN NOT, however, sell said tunes, unless you pay BMI/ASCAP fees. The trip here is whether you benefit financially from other people's works. If not, no one is (most likely) going to come after you, especially since you're playing it.