Question Home

Position:Home>Performing Arts> Can a local band play copyrighted music?


Question: Can a local band play copyrighted music!?
For example, if my band could play "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC, could we perform it at a local talent show if we give credit to AC/DC without having a license or anything!? If you found the answer on a site, please link that site to me!. Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Well I'm not 100% sure about this, but if you are playing at a local talent show and are not being paid, I believe it is perfectly fine!.
I think it is when you get paid that there can be a problem!.
But,
I've played in a lot of bands and did paid gigs at nightclubs and biker rallies and corporate parties and we played lots of cover tunes!. I don't really think any band is going to worry about a local band covering their music!. It's usually only if you make a CD or something and sell it, that then you are stepping on their toes a bit, and you would be open to copyright infringement if you didn't pay for the rights to use it!.
I've never heard of a band just playing in a bar or something having any trouble at all!.
(I suppose it's even possible that club owners who are licensed for live music may pay a fee that covers things like that) Like radio stations I believe play a licensing fee to be able to broadcast music!.

EDIT:
after further research I find that I am a bit in error!. Free performances that are not broadcast are OK!. But anytime money is made or collected for playing copyrighted stuff, you are "supposed" to pay a licensing fee to the music publisher, ASCAP or BMI that kind of thing!.

But I stand by my earlier statements, that I don't think you'll have any problems at all!. I never have had any and never have heard of anybody who ever has!.

Just rock out and have a good time, no worries!.

!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I believe you need to pay SOCAN (google it) !. For example a night club will have to pay SOCAN if they play music!.!.!. if you perform you also need to pay SOCAN!.

Usually the venue will require it but if they don't then you as a band need to do it, otherwise you can get fined by SOCAN!.

Www@QuestionHome@Com

it depends!. if they purchase the rights to use the music, then yes!. but if they are just playing it then they could get in alot of trouble and the artist can file a lawsuit!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

as long as you're not having people pay for it, or selling recordings!. then it should be fine!.Www@QuestionHome@Com