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How to make a cover song?

Firsty Lasty

New Student
Nov 11, 2019
278
284
I don't know how easy it is to do, but the surest way to avoid problems would be to get a cover license or other explicit permission from the publisher. I believe in the case of A7X that would be Warner Music Group. They might just say "go for it and have fun, as long as you don't monetize it".
 

Andrew Milner

Campfire Attention Holder
  • Nov 11, 2019
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    andreilucianmoraru.com
    10
    You can play anything you like on YouTube, but there's a good chance the video is gonna get demonetized.

    You can upload covers legally to streaming services with Distrokid. They take care of securing the licence.

    I have never talked to a publisher directly though.

    As for playing it in your hometown and people throwing coins at you, I am fairly confident both the band and the publisher don't care. YouTube is full of stuff like that. Technically, I think the money people may give you is considered a donation, so it should also be tax free .
     

    idssdi

    Sold-out Crowd Surfer
    Nov 11, 2019
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    Not anything you like, Beatles, led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Queen all get taken down I believe. And there are a couple more.

    Unless, Rick Beato's testimony did what I hope it did than you're free to whatever.
     

    Andrew Milner

    Campfire Attention Holder
  • Nov 11, 2019
    532
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    Not anything you like, Beatles, led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Queen all get taken down I believe. And there are a couple more.

    Unless, Rick Beato's testimony did what I hope it did than you're free to whatever.

    Huh, really, do they actually take them down? I was aware that they'd get demonetized...why take them down though?
     

    Andrew Milner

    Campfire Attention Holder
  • Nov 11, 2019
    532
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    It is, Rick Beato has a lot of videos on it and, as I said, he testified in front of some sort of jury against these blocking things.

    Props to him for fighting the good fight. I was always curious if these actions are artist based or publisher based. I, as an actually published musician, would love for people to cover my songs. I mean FFS, if that gets me exposure and streams, what more could I ask for? I don't really care much for merch and even if I did, people using and listening to my music is the way to go.

    I just ... don't understand some people's way of thinking with regards to this.
     
    Reactions: idssdi

    idssdi

    Sold-out Crowd Surfer
    Nov 11, 2019
    5,336
    6,754
    Groningen
    11
    It's usually the record labels
     
    Reactions: Andrew Milner

    Aaron Shepanik

    Garage band Groupie
    Nov 11, 2019
    16
    8
    Yes they take them down. I uploaded I cover of stairway to heaven and got a copyright strike and it got taken down. Same with while my guitar gently weeps.
    A "copyright strike" is much different than a "copyright claim" on Youtube. Three strikes and your channel is gone. I've got a variety of covers on my channel from artists with various labels and they all get copyright claimed. This will automatically put copyright credits at the end of the video description and you get no money from your video if that's what you're trying to do. If you're not monetizing and get a copyright claim---then the video will stay where allowed (some claims restrict playback in certain countries).
     
    Reactions: Dominik Gräber