return to tranceaddict TranceAddict Forums Archive > DJing / Production / Promotion > Production Studio

 
Question regarding the use of a vocal done by a cover...
View this Thread in Original format
Stephen Wiley
OK - A cover band covered REM's "Everybody hurts" - It was done for Karaoke purposes. I bought both the instrumental + vocal track and had one of my artists go to town after I extracted the vocals. This is where I grabbed the cover tracks from.

http://www.karaoke-version.com/mp3-...body-hurts.html

I would of course love to release this but this is gray area to me. Obviously if they wanted to, they could file a civil lawsuit, but do you really think it would come to that if a few hundred copies were sold on Beatport?

It seems harmless to me, but this is new territory for me. Suggestions from people who have experience on the business side of things would be greatly appreciated...
Subtle
You can do this no problem, as long as you dont use any of the original parts.
There was also someone covering the REM track "Losing My Religion" recently with some EDM mixes or whatever.
You can find them if u search for "losing my religion" on beatport.
Stephen Wiley
I have the lexicon avenue remix of "losing my religion" on vinyl, from long, long ago. Bootleg vinyl of course.

I am using the original vocal samples from the cover, not the actual REM song from Warner Bro's. My concern for the most part is the cover bands label, and to some extent Warner Bros. I AM using the original cover samples. Same lyrics, just a different singer (duh.) I don't even know what label the cover belongs to or if its even signed. I just downloaded it off a karaoke website.

It's not about the money to me (unless im getting sued) - I just think this would be a very positive release for my label and I'd like to make it happen. I don't mind taking a small chance but I would probably steer away. I've got some seasoned label peepz on AIM I can bother but wanted to gauge what everyone here thought.
Subtle
The general rule seems to be, if you are not making a significant amount of money on it, no one is going to care.
Dj_Es-Dva
quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Wiley
I have the lexicon avenue remix of "losing my religion" on vinyl, from long, long ago. Bootleg vinyl of course.

Wtf? I've never heard of that, is it under Lexicon Avenue or a different name, I can't find anything about it on the internet?
Theran
Although you don't use the original voice of Michael Stipe, you are still using the voice of someone else which is copyright protected. That it isn't from the original artist, doesn't matter. You can do anything you like if you have the approval of the singer or the website. You can also find yourself a singer a let him do the work.

I'm guessing it will be wise to contact the karaoke website to see how they feel about this, since they're holding the copyright of the vocal.
CLICK TO RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
 
Privacy Statement