Getting permission to perform covers in a live setting?

egbdf · Post by **egbdf** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 5:55 am

Some of you may have heard my groups cover of Turquoise Hexagon Sun. We performed it live a few times, but never for money.

I'm starting up a new group in a new location a we might do some gigs where we'd make a bit of money (doubtful more than $50 per member). It's sort of a modern jazz group. I'd love to do some BoC covers simply because I love their music and would have fun with it, not because I can't write my own stuff, because I can. I'd be fine with paying royalties but it seems like that'd be very complicated to set up for just a small-time gig. Would it not be worth the trouble of all the legal shit? It's not like anyone would ever know, but I wouldn't want to risk it.

Vostok · Post by **Vostok** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:42 am

do you realize how many people are paid to do covers

you're fine

GeogEddie · Post by **GeogEddie** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:37 am

I don't know where you live, but in the US royalties for live covers are paid for by the venues themselves through generic licensing agreements with what are called performance rights organizations. You should be fine.

re-phaelam-ed · Post by **re-phaelam-ed** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:13 pm

dont worry about it...
you start selling it on a cd?.....you might want permission

cover bands are a dime a dozen.

Mexicola · Post by **Mexicola** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:22 pm

I'd ping MDG a PM and ask him.

d e n · Post by **d e n** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:49 pm

BoC would be probably be nothing but psyched to hear their music through that medium.

Jonny G · Post by **Jonny G** » Sun Aug 11, 2013 6:00 pm

I don't think you need to worry. Unless your whole set is based around BoC tracks, and you're making some serious dough from it I reckon you're safe.

re-phaelam-ed · Post by **re-phaelam-ed** » Sun Aug 11, 2013 7:02 pm

Jonny G wrote:I don't think you need to worry. Unless your whole set is based around BoC tracks, and you're making some serious dough from it I reckon you're safe.

are you touring large venues bringing in HUGE dollars playing boc tracks? there are cover bands....metal school, high voltage, agents of fortune, kissed

http://www.kissfanshop.de/TributeBands/ ... glisch.htm

dont worry about it. youre doing a cover. lots of people do.

harpoon dodger · Post by **harpoon dodger** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:16 pm

GeogEddie wrote:I don't know where you live, but in the US royalties for live covers are paid for by the venues themselves through generic licensing agreements with what are called performance rights organizations. You should be fine.

^^This. More or less, it is the same around the world, but check with the proper PRO. As long as the venue has paid their fees you are alright. If you mean to record and sell the live performance of the cover, then you would be looking at some fees yourself.

mono · Post by **mono** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:28 am

Nobody is going to notice or even care if you're not making some serious money. You might even get away with selling CD-Rs of your cover to be honest.

I remember Alan Wilder from Depeche Mode used to have a (pretty lame) fanmail section on his webpage where people would ask him the most stupid stuff about the colour of his socks or whether his sexual fantasies matched his surname (really) and once someone asked him for permission because they were going to cover Two Minute Warning or something. He sort of laughed it off.

Don't worry at all.