Mechanicals For Free Album

[R Johnny]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

My band is currently planning a tribute album with some other groups in our area. We have selected a band and album, and we will each be covering one song from the album in question.

We will be giving the album away for free - it's more about bringing attention to the album than about making any money from it, and we will be paying the album expenses out of pocket.

If we are giving the album away and making no money from it, are we still liable for mechanicals on the songs/album? We're already going to be putting a hefty sum into completing this to begin with, and this may be the answer that tells us whether we'll be moving forward with it or not.

Thanks for your time!

 

[FlyingRon]

You are absolutely responsible for paying the mechanicals whether you are giving the album away or selling it. Even if you were doing it for charitable purposes, but you're really exploiting the music copyrights for your own publicity so there's not even a shadow of a doubt.

The statutory rate is 9.1 cents for 5 minutes or less, minimum is 500 copies ($45.50) times how many songs you have.