Obtaining rights to cover a song question
09-17-08, 11:49 PM
#1
Obtaining rights to cover a song question
I am in the process of compiling a collection of Christmas/holiday music to raise money for a local charity.
All the artists so far are contributing original songs, but one band wants to do a cover version of "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi.
The production run of the CD will probably be 500-700 or so. Maybe 1000 tops. Just a low run indie project.
The band is concerned about getting the rights to record the song.
I've seen many indie/unsigned bands cover versions of Christmas songs in the past, so I honestly don't know...what would the band have to do? (I honestly can't believe all the cover versions of Christmas songs I see indie bands do are actually all done with the permission of the copyright holder, but I guess I never know.) Would they even need to worry about it? Would I have to secure the rights, or would the band have to secure the right to cover the song since they would be recording it?
All the artists so far are contributing original songs, but one band wants to do a cover version of "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi.
The production run of the CD will probably be 500-700 or so. Maybe 1000 tops. Just a low run indie project.
The band is concerned about getting the rights to record the song.
I've seen many indie/unsigned bands cover versions of Christmas songs in the past, so I honestly don't know...what would the band have to do? (I honestly can't believe all the cover versions of Christmas songs I see indie bands do are actually all done with the permission of the copyright holder, but I guess I never know.) Would they even need to worry about it? Would I have to secure the rights, or would the band have to secure the right to cover the song since they would be recording it?
09-18-08, 12:07 AM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
I don't know that you need permission, but you will probably have to pay a licensing fee or royalties to the copyright holder. Here's the contact information for who you need to talk to. I think Guaraldi recorded for Fantasy, so I'd start with that address:
Concord Music Group licenses music for use in a variety of media outlets including feature films, television shows, video games, movie trailers, ringtones, compilation CD's, and advertising commercials. Please contact one of the licensing staff below with your licensing request or inquiry.
John Baldi
VP of Music Publishing and Master Licensing
Concord Records
100 N. Crescent Dr. #275
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Wolfgang Frank
Director of Licensing and Business Affairs
Fantasy Records
2600 10th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Concord Music Group licenses music for use in a variety of media outlets including feature films, television shows, video games, movie trailers, ringtones, compilation CD's, and advertising commercials. Please contact one of the licensing staff below with your licensing request or inquiry.
John Baldi
VP of Music Publishing and Master Licensing
Concord Records
100 N. Crescent Dr. #275
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Wolfgang Frank
Director of Licensing and Business Affairs
Fantasy Records
2600 10th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
09-18-08, 07:49 AM
#3
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It's astonishingly straightforward, you'll be happy to hear.
The Harry Fox Agency handles all of the licensing for this song, and it sounds like you can do pretty much everything you need through their online "SongFile" service since you're dealing with fewer than 2500 units.
http://www.harryfox.com/public/songfile.jsp
...and if all else fails, this page spells out pretty much every other alternative.
The Harry Fox Agency handles all of the licensing for this song, and it sounds like you can do pretty much everything you need through their online "SongFile" service since you're dealing with fewer than 2500 units.
http://www.harryfox.com/public/songfile.jsp
...and if all else fails, this page spells out pretty much every other alternative.
