• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Will a compulsory license cover my use for mashup of cover songs?

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

lullaby215

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

My band does cover songs and we usually get a compulsory license for each song. We would like to do a mashup, incorporating more than 1 cover in a single song. I saw that with a compulsory license, you cannot change the lyrics or melody too much. The question is, how much is too much? When does altering a cover song turn into creating a new derivative work? How much creative license do i have when i use a compulsory license?

Is there any caselaw on this? I was hoping to get away with two separate compulsory licenses for each song I include in the mashup.

Thanks
 


quincy

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

My band does cover songs and we usually get a compulsory license for each song. We would like to do a mashup, incorporating more than 1 cover in a single song. I saw that with a compulsory license, you cannot change the lyrics or melody too much. The question is, how much is too much? When does altering a cover song turn into creating a new derivative work? How much creative license do i have when i use a compulsory license?

Is there any caselaw on this? I was hoping to get away with two separate compulsory licenses for each song I include in the mashup.

Thanks
Duplicate post. Please see the Sports/Arts/Entertainment section of the forum: https://forum.freeadvice.com/sports-arts-entertainment-law-86/will-compulsory-license-cover-my-use-mashup-cover-songs-599801.html
 
Last edited:

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top