Do you know the rules about Cover Songs

[GEVANIA RECORDS LLC]

Some of you may sing or use other people's works like melody or lyrics. Some persons use karaoke tracks to back the songs, but the legistics are it is still originally owned by another most times.

What do you know about the rules to this subject?

[Iain Rossouw]

If you are using another artists work in any way whatsoever you have to get permission from the publisher of that work or the artist themselves, if you are recording the work. The Queen/Milli Vanilli fiasco of a few years back comes to mind, when Milli Vanilli recorded a song and used the bass riff of "Another one bites the dust".

If you are just performing the music then the place at which you are performing has the responsibility to obtain a license from the Music Rights Organisation of that country. The Music Rights Organisation then pays the musicians for the airtime that their songs receive.

I am speaking from a South African point of view here so if it is different in your country ignore the above.

I hope this helps.

MelloMuso
( http://stores.lulu.com/MelloMuso )