Members Deeprig9 Posted May 8, 2009 Members Posted May 8, 2009 We have a cover on our album, we are putting it up track for track for free (streaming) for a time, promotion, whatever. My question is, can we get in trouble for putting up the cover song? We are withholding royalties for sales to be sure, but is it a bad idea for me to include this track on the free streaming 'sample' version of the album I'm putting online right now? Can we get charged for every 'play' on that song? Thanks!
Moderators daddymack Posted May 11, 2009 Moderators Posted May 11, 2009 Technically yes....you are liable for the license fee, even if you are giving it a way for free, as it has 'promotional value'. Either remove the song, or get a mechanical from HFA.
Members faileddrummer Posted May 11, 2009 Members Posted May 11, 2009 Damn! I wanted to cover every song Metallica ever did and put it for free online.
Members scarecrowbob Posted May 17, 2009 Members Posted May 17, 2009 "Damn! I wanted to cover every song Metallica ever did and put it for free online." People more-or-less have done this (well, for a fee) with songs that aren't otherwise available on iTunes.
Members BlueStrat Posted May 17, 2009 Members Posted May 17, 2009 Yes you can, don't bother. No, you can't, not legally anyway. I don't know of any sites that allow you to legally upload something you neither hold the copyright to nor have paid a mechanic's license to distribute, either by hard copy or digitally. Every site that allows uploading of songs requires you to affirm that you are either the owner of the material or have paid for the use of it. Read the TOS before acting. Chances are nothing will happen, but that doesn't mean it can't or won't.
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