Watch: Gabe from True Vibenation explains how you can legally perform and release cover songs
Musicians perform cover songs all the time… But do you need to ask permission to legally play a cover?
YES and NO.
A question we’re often asked: If I’m playing a gig and I decide to perform a cover song, do I need to ask the artist for permission?
While you do not need permission, you must add it to your Performance Report and you do put it in your setlist.
Now, if you want to record a cover and release it, YES, you need to ask permission.
You can just go to the APRA AMCOS website and search for the Audio Manufacture Licence.
Complete the details, submit and pay the fee.
And, you don’t need to register the song because it is the original songwriters that will receive the royalties.
This will depend on the adaptation and will vary on a case-by-case basis. For the adaption to be protected by copyright, it will need to be sufficiently original. If the new work is sufficiently original, the work may be protected by copyright in its own right, even if it is derived from a pre-existing work.
Whenever a musician releases an original track or even a cover song – digital systems need a way to differentiated them.
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is the international identification system for sound recordings and music video recordings. Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording which can be permanently encoded into a product as its digital fingerprint.
We've got them answered.
What is an ISRC and where can I get one?
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is how your sound recordings and music video recordings are recognised wherever and whenever they're played. Adding your ISRCs to your work's registration details makes it easier for us to get you royalties quickly and accurately. However, an ISRC is not a compulsory requirement for an APRA work registration.
APRA AMCOS does not issue ISRCs, ARIA does. To find out more or apply for an ISRC, please email [email protected] or visit the ARIA website.
Who gets paid for music covers on YouTube?
YouTube has a Content ID system to scan and identify copyright material. This system includes audio and audio-visual fingerprinting technology, as well as melody recognition for cover songs. The first two types of fingerprinting technologies are far more developed and accurate in identifying sound recordings and visual material (such as in films and TV programs). Melody recognition technology is less advanced and often cannot identify the large quantity of cover songs on YouTube.
Copyright owners can still claim their work manually. If a cover song went viral, it would be up to the copyright owner or music publishers to lodge a claim with YouTube.
What's the difference between a remix and a cover?
A cover is a performance or new recording of a song that was written and previously performed by someone else. It does not involve any significant changes to the underlying musical work.
A remix is a new song that uses parts or samples of a previously written song. It may also contain new material composed by the remix artist.