Entitlement to record?

[VenalWinfrey]

Dear all

I have recently been recording some demo CDs - I am a free-lance pianist. It occurred to me that I had absolutely no idea if I would be breaking the law, by, supposedly, putting together an album of song versions of old music. [I have as yet not done this, please note!!] I am assuming of course that, for all CURRENT popular material, one would need the permission of the songwriter/publisher etc.

But I am talking about recording a studio album of, say 12 solo piano tracks, each versions of old hit records, from the '30s, '40s or '50s.

The reason for my confusion is that I had heard something about a 50-year royalty rule - a period under which royalties are payable to songwriters/performers. I know that various pop musicians were campaigning recently to have this ruling extended (Cliff RIchard being one of them.)

In other words (and yes, I know I am very green behind the ears on this) all I want to do is put together a set of my own, piano recordings, of some old popular standards, with a view to potentionally having them published (and that word 'potentionally' should be in large pink neon lights!!) I guess what I am saying is, am I right in thinking that, for song material over 50 years old, one need not seek the permission of the songwriter/publisher over the right to record and release the track? Or have I got this totally wrong?

Thanks so much for reading this far, any help as always direly needed and appreciated!

VW

[kempie]

The 50 year time limit for copyright is applicable to sound recordings from the date of recording or release, whereas copyright for composition, musical score, lyrics, etc. lasts until 70 years after the death of the author.

The above statement is a simplistic assessment of that which is explained in more depth here...

http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/protect/p07_ music_copyright

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/SiteCollect ionDocuments/Copyright/Copyright_Law_Introduct ion.pdf

[mormess]

You'll need a license from the MCPS as Kempie has linked to there. It's relatively easy - on their site you can apply for a AP2 license (I think) where you list the songs you're recording and the composers, detail how many copies you're pressing, how much you're selling for, etc etc. THen they send you an invoice based on that (don't worry, it doesn't come to that much) and you pay it and then you can manufacture your CD. No good CD replicating company will press a CD of copyrighted material without an MCPS license.

Bear in mind you have to deal with graphic design, mastering, recording, etc. to make a CD.

But you say demos - is this just to get more gigs? Then MCPS have another license called a Limited Availability License which is around �20 for 100 copies lasting less than half an hour. Then it's tiered upwards.

If you're asking a record label (big or small!) to put out your album they will deal with the MCPS for you as well as the manufacturing. But you can do it yourself!

If you need more advice on this please ask - I've put out albums for an artist and if I can do it, so can you!

One last thing - are you concentrating on old songs to avoid the copyright? Or just because you like them? Copyright is nothing to be afraid of and the MCPS will help you through it. Worth applying for a license just so they can say that it's out of copyright, or some of your tracks are and some aren't. Better than you researching when and if all the composers died!

[laurenforster]

When CD starts, it uses to happen that manufacturers mention their name and mostly the date.
For More Information:http://laurenforstereasy.wix.com/easy-replication#!How-to-get-100K-CDs-in-your-company-brand/c193z/C486972B-49CA-4DD5-ABBE-D143F8741F07