When someone covers another artist's song, who has to approve it?

[coloradodem2005]

I am curious if it is the songwriters, performers or record execs. Or some combination thereof.

[punpirate]

1. AFAIK...

... no "approval" required. Just have to pay royalties to those directly affected--songwriter and lyricist, if required, arranger, if required, publisher, etc.

[tuvor]

2. Used to be that the songwriter had to approve

as with Devo covering 'Satisfaction'. Mick Jagger gave his blessing even though it sounded nothing like the original.

These days, I don't think there's any way for the songwriter to protest. Weird Al, for example, asks the artists if he can parody a song only to be decent about it.

[coloradodem2005]

4. I think it is interesting.

When we are talking about the problems of file sharing and downloading saying that it infringes on artists' rights, an argument that Metallica used heavily, and yet you can publish a cover song without much trouble from original artist. It is even more interesting since they are cracking down on cover bands and clubs that have them play.

[CanuckAmok]

6. No trouble at all...

but you usually have to pay a license fee.

And, if it's on a commercial recording, an appropriate percentage of your royalties will be rerouted to the original songwriter(s) by whatever service is collecting on your behalf. In Canada, it's SOCAN... I forget who it is in the US.

[ClassWarrior]

5. Parodies are protected speech. And I'm sure Al still has to pay royalties.

Otherwise, the permission comes from - and the payment goes to - first the songwriter for the use of the song. That's why Devo had to pay Mick to redo his song.

Now if someone wants to use the recording of "Satisfaction," say for a commercial, the performers - Mick and the boys - need to give permission and get payment for that.

The publishers get in on the action only insomuch as their contracts give them a cut. Ultimately it's the owners of the songs and the performances that are the final authorities.

NGU.

[democracyindanger]

3. On edit: Never mind

right answer for the wrong question.