OK this might be a silly question but I've always wondered... all these fake versions of songs that have been charting more and more over the last couple of years, how are they actually allowed to release them? Clearly they don't own the copyright, and I can't imagine the artists/writers of the original song giving them permission for the song to be covered. So how do they actually get round the copyright issue? Anyone know?

 

I think the rule is, as long as they don't change the music or lyrics, they can legally cover the song if it has been released for sale anywhere in the world. Obviously, the original artist/writers are entitled to some $$$ from those sales.

 

If it hasn't been released, then the record company can get it removed.

 

 

They probably do get copyright or whatever. It's just the same as Glee Cast really, they re-make the instrumentals themselves, and re-record the vocals themselves.

 

For example, Big Hits 2012 have covered a plethora of songs, even recently they've covered songs like Under the Sun, Some Nights, As Long as You Love Me, Harder Than You Think, Read All About It Part III, etc. I just can't see them getting away with this if it was illegal tbh, so I'm sure they get the permission to do it.

Edited September 27, 201212 yr by Eric_Blob

Must be awful though seeing some nobody covering the song you've written and recorded and making money out of it, especially in the case of Lucy Spraggan

As far as I know , they can release anything they want and then if the copy write owner want to pursue legal proceedings they can. The copy write owner can ask for the track to be be removed from sale or for compensation to be given.

As far as I know , they can release anything they want and then if the copy write owner want to pursue legal proceedings they can. The copy write owner can ask for the track to be be removed from sale or for compensation to be given.

compensation - yes

track removed - no (if it has already been released)

 

 

 

I think the rule is, as long as they don't change the music or lyrics, they can legally cover the song if it has been released for sale anywhere in the world. Obviously, the original artist/writers are entitled to some $$$ from those sales.

 

If it hasn't been released, then the record company can get it removed.

Ah that makes sense, explains why there are no/very little cover versions of Uk artists songs prior to their release on UK iTunes as at that point the track hasn't been released elsewhere therefore the record company can pull the fake / the fakes don't even bother as its too much bother to record/release knowing they'll get pulled.

Ah that makes sense, explains why there are no/very little cover versions of Uk artists songs prior to their release on UK iTunes as at that point the track hasn't been released elsewhere therefore the record company can pull the fake / the fakes don't even bother as its too much bother to record/release knowing they'll get pulled.

There was a Cheryl cover that was released that the record company got removed, but the original hadn't been released yet.

 

 

Yeah that does seem to explain it. Though I still find it really odd how you can release a cover of a song without the consent or approval of the original writer.