NEW UPDATES! | Post Cover Songs LEGALLY on YouTube 2025 (Step by Step Guide)

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I JUST DROPPED AN UPDATE VIDEO ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8 🎤 My Cover Songs: kzbin.info/aero/PLEMhlPbIQ92MKYSIbTwGkYzvE_qvQHfrR&si=orbVrqca4K8hCYNI 🟡 Become your Own Record Label: www.topmusicattorney.com/becomeyourownrecordlabel 🟢 Free Split Sheet Template: www.topmusicattorney.com/splitsheet 📄 Music Contracts Templates: www.topmusicattorney.com/music-contracts 📺 Get Your Music Into Tv/Film/Games: www.topmusicattorney.com/sync 💻 #1 Resource For Artists And Producers: www.topmusicattorney.com ⚖ Hire An Attorney: www.delgadoentertainmentlaw.com 📰 Get My Newsletter: www.topmusicattorney.com/newsletter/ 🎧 Listen To The TMA Podcast On All Streaming: www.topmusicattorney.com/podcast 🟢 Free Stuff: www.topmusicattorney.com/free-stuff

[@MadNoisy]

Thank you. I always love your videos 🤘🤘 If you're looking for your glasses...they're on top of your head 🤭🤗

[@crunchysteve]

@@TopMusicAttorney do you know or have affilliate links to people like you in other countries providing a service like yours? It seems like a good network to build because, say, American IP and business law is often vastly differently structured in, say Australia, where I live, the UK or EU, to name a few. Building a network of international affilliates could broaden your reach and the reaches of others like you elsewhere in the world. Could even help self label indies internationalise their markets, as well as buiding your brand for internationals wanting enter the US music market, too. Just an idea. You have a law firm and you perform as an artist, I'm guessing you don't get a lot of spare time for other things, but it's a thought worthy of putting up, I guess.

[@Shayzare]

Just found your channel, great info. About to check out your cover songs

[@TopMusicAttorney]

@@crunchysteve Great question! Please email my assistant so she can help: [e-mail]

[@GTSongwriter]

What do you mean, if you do a cover song on KZbin and universal audio will claim 100% and that's okay?

[@proxzi]

super grateful to have you, waiting for changes on selective and reflexive remixes, and remixes which make it into something truly original overall..

[@redfernguitar]

This could be your most valuable clip cause every musician needs to be able to do covers.

[@redfernguitar]

One music hack here is to get the midi file for the song you want so everything is the same but with your own sounds assigned to parts but the arrangement and lyrics can all stay the same.

[@TrystanGreyvein]

@@redfernguitar I never thought about that

[@sub-jec-tiv]

@@redfernguitar A really fun hack to go with your hack: try different chord inversions, and try some different color-note choices (adding an extension like a 7 9 or 11, or making some chords a sus, or whatever. Try grabbing a note and move it up or down by a 5th, see how it changes the feeling. This kind of editing doesn’t change it enough to be classified any differently (it’s still a cover). And you can get some really beautiful effects from just going through and playing around with the notes within the chords.

[@krusher74]

Whats a sea of chance the music industry is, back in the day (and I know cover were done back them too) you had to be a singer /band and do gigs till people liked and kept coming to your gigs till an A and R guy spotted you and you got push from a record company (or you got diddyed!!!) Now you can make a song and with no help put it out to the world, you just have to compete with he 40,000 songs that get uploaded to spotify daily! and I don't know how many other covers uploaded to youtube..........I don't know which you had a better chance at.

[@redfernguitar]

@@sub-jec-tiv Yeah that's the daw equivalent of what I did as a 90s jazz guitarist - substitutions are awesome. But if there's a legal requirement to not touch the chords to be considered a cover then I focus on texture taking out the cheesy general midi and replacing with nutso vst plugins.

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Great video! I've asked for explanations to this subject even from Berklee while in school there and absolutely could not get an understandable answer to these questions. Thank you so much for making this!

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for being here; so glad you're finding this information helpful. Please reach out if you're needing additional resources - [e-mail].

[@JimMillerDrums]

As a drummer starting to use KZbin as a way to showcase my talent in order to build my brand as a live performer, this is super helpful. I’ve always been super paranoid about uploading covers.

[@Beginnerguitaristtrcyddd]

This is tough cuz i uploaded a cover of a song and then it got copyrighted by someone who does not own the song and theyre trying to claim that i copied someones cover when i never even seen it nor heard it

[@Gr8Passion4Music]

I'm also a lawyer and a musician doing music since teenage and I also agree that cover songs bring you to limelight and pave the way for your own music to become noticeable.

[@peterrezba995]

Exactly, how many big named bands started as Top 40 bands cover band.

[@aapillusions]

Wow! This was so informative. I'm an independent video and audio creator who does it just for the love of the work. I don't monetize anything and I refuse to couple my art with commerce so I don't sell anything. That said, the law around this environment is fuzzy at best. Thanks for clarifying this for us. I'll be subscribing to this channel now. 😊

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for the support. Please feel free to reach out if you're needing help with anything! [e-mail]

[@aapillusions]

@@TopMusicAttorney Oh I will. You are such a needed resource here. I discovered you on your video educating Rick Beato (albeit in a nice way) on the law behind "interpolation". I thought, whoa, she really knows this and then I watched this video and I was really impressed. Thanks again for your intellect on!

[@jonos138]

Unless you cover an Eagles song. So many people have had strikes and take downs as Don Henley is so protective over Eagles material. To cover an Eagles song has become the kiss of death on youtube.

[@sword-and-shield]

Good, the hacks need to be put in place.

[@TrystanGreyvein]

@@sword-and-shield Found Don Henley

[@ganglestank]

@@TrystanGreyvein 🤣🤣😂😂

[@justin6point7]

He has the legal team from The Garden of Allah 😈

[@BOBANDVEG]

Ozzy is a monster. Sharon will find you. Not kidding

[@VINZVANGO]

Going to save this video and share the link with the other musicians over on Twitch! Some of us are shy to post our VODs.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I just dropped an update video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@AndrewIsaac-n7j]

Great video you have a new follower. I plan on doing an interpolation of a song, my interpolation will be an instrumental version (vocals removed) I will replace the original guitar pieces with my own

[@daniel00x]

Excellent video! One question, what if you do an instrumental version, same music and arrangements with no lyrics. Is that considered a cover? (for example a piano instrumental version of a song)

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@JohnnyAllan-vj7sj]

Hello. I'm an attorney and I represent Metallica. Lars heard that you used the band's name in this video and he wants 25%

[@ThePancakeJedi]

@@JohnnyAllan-vj7sj Hello, I’m Lars’ drum teacher. Can you please ask him to show up. I haven’t seen him in 40 years.

[@OgamiItto70]

Good thing she didn't mention Don Henley or the Eagles!

[@IanCrouse]

Hello, I'm Lar's drumsticks. Please tell him to beat the drums with the same enthusiasm as he beats his meat.

[@michaelmullenfiddler]

Lol

[@manu5504]

@@JohnnyAllan-vj7sj 😏👍👀🤔😁😆

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

Thanks a lot because those are things I always told to my artists as well. About the "arrangement" you also gave the correct indication about. It's not to use a piano instead of a guitar, but it is regarding the structure of the song. In italian language, having the distinction of female/male words etc, just to change the desinence of the word: you need the license. I had this issue for a couple of covers songs I produced with Licia Fox as singer, and the Original Editor have licenced me to produce it. Even the title can't be changed if not authorized. THe Sync in EU it's a bit more differentiated. SABAM (Belgium) told me clearly: no sync permission IF and only IF you are making a videoclip that """visualizes""" the song (I use the terms my Legal Office is using). If you use it to affiliate (also in your video) brands or ADS: Sync license is mandatory. Like for instance: filming a character that's drinking Coca-Cola: Sync mandatory. Just drinking the same but with not visible (or blurred) marquee: it's fine so. Mechanical rights: Yes indeed: if you print CDs or Vinyls or Cassettes with your cover songs: you need MLs. I'm really happy to have watched this video. you were clear, univocal, straight to the point, and clear making clear what an Arrangement is. Thanks.

[@Mullewarp]

Then it is what i thought: Lawyers have a different definition of "arrangement" than musicians.

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

@@Mullewarp Indeed. The issue was that boht (I and the Legal office) were convinced to have a unique term. Instead of there was a not clear semantic issue. Arrangement for us as musicians is: change the instrument type, the pitch, the rhythm. For the Legal is: changes into the architecture of the song. And TBH in a certain way, the 2 meanings are sometimes overlapping each other.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thank you for being here! Please check out my update video I recently dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8 . If you or your artists ever need legal help, reach out: [e-mail]

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

@@TopMusicAttorney thankyou ... yes I watched (and also commented) your more recent video. Thanks a lot for it.

[@RobKlipz]

Thanks for the info, very informative and it really helps my channel, nice job.

[@SouthsideWilly]

So you briefly touched on what I was hoping you’d mention…what is it actually called when you do a cover but change some (not all) of the words? It’s something I’ve been wanting to do and the legal side confuses me so I’ve put it off 😬

[@extremotionaltrouffas]

It is called a remake, not cover.

[@SouthsideWilly]

@ is that an official term though? Because when I try to look up the rules for a remake of a song, I’m just getting info on covers 😭

[@extremotionaltrouffas]

@@SouthsideWilly I believe it is an official term. Listen. If your channel is small , I believe , none of these matters, cos no one will give a sh.. about you anyway, lol.

[@SouthsideWilly]

@ haha, true 😂 I keep swinging between thinking that myself, then back to feeling like it would be nice to do it properly. It would be so much easier just to do a straight cover, but I have an idea I can’t let go of 😂

[@mindtorquemusic]

​@@extremotionaltrouffasnope size doesn't matter. I've had publishers try to claim MY original songs. I do get blocked for covers, but I claim fair use and they disappear. Happy to let them have the no money I make as I gets subs and views from it.😂

[@Quinellipe]

Thanks very much for clarifying re video cover songs (esp for Psy-Lounge, not posting on behalf of here so logged into personal) on the major social platforms; we do go through the proper steps for being able to do releases "anywhere" but TBH have been a little uncertain re youtube and the video aspects of the covers where we obtained only the licenses for the audio publication. Good to know we remain on solid ground!!!!

[@TopMusicAttorney]

You're welcome! Join us on the livestream we're doing tonight, we have a great community in the live chat. Tonight 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST!

[@Muggfacepublishing]

I'm sorry but it sounds like you should use the word "Structure" as opposed to arrangement. A song has structure such as AAB, ABABCAB, these are just a few. Arrangement means instrument arrangements of the song, meaning where do the guitars come in, how many horns? When do synths come in.

[@themoviebud1988]

I was thinking the same thing. Everything else is solid knowledge (as far as I klow), but that part confuses things a little bit

[@rstuartcpa]

@@Muggfacepublishing what is an arrangement? To me it’s the way one preforms the song. What is the instrumentation, tempo, harmony, even the key. So if I do a cover of She Don’t Use Jelly in a minor key, is that still a cover? By the way Ben Folds Five does a great minor key cover of She Don’t Use Jelly.

[@womplestilskin]

@@rstuartcpa She didn't really say anything about changing the melody, chords, rhythms etc. We learned keep the lyrics and the order of the sections identical. The arrangement is generally the way and manner the harmonies are voiced. IMO, that's the most common way arrangement is used by composers.

[@nunninkav]

in music the trade word and legalese is "arrangement", people who "arrange" the music also get a songwriting credit. It goes right with: measure, piano, fortissimo ect.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Musicians use the word arrangement to mean what a producer (old definition) might call ‘orchestration.’ Whereas producers (old definition), A&R, label folks, will use the word arrangement to mean the entire thing including the structure, harmonisation, and the orchestration. Technically her usage is correct, it still might be confusing to musicians who use the word differently from others in the business.

[@davesfaithcave8999]

This si an amazing explanation. Thank you for this!! I spent so much time trying to get this information and didn't post songs to KZbin because of my fear of a strike. Always wondered how a high school band can post covers and get a million views and not get taken down. You explained it perfectly. Thank you!

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

fun fact. Before the mass media genres almost everything was a covered composition. Beethoven didn't make any masters, so besides the few performance that he gave everything else is covers. And 99% of musicians graduating after 5-10-15 years of studying music are cover-artists.

[@karlrovey]

You generally had to hand copy stuff from other composers as well. For example, if you wanted a copy of Buxtehude's organ music, you had to walk to Lübeck. Then, you had to ask to copy it. Then, you had to hand copy it, using the provided key in order to understand his tablature in order to write it in a way that you understand it, sometimes adapting the pedal part because you play an instrument with a pedal compass that's too short to play as Buxtehude wrote it.

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

@@karlrovey great point!

[@ronnyskaar3737]

The word "cover" comes from a time when popular songs were copied accurately to compete with the original version. It actually covered it. In classical music artists and conductors allways have had their own interpretations. That is also the case now with cover in popular music. It's actually not a cover, it is an interpretation or a version.

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

@@ronnyskaar3737 the interpretation of a song that you are referring to is different from interpretation of a academic music (be that classical or modern or baroque for that matter). In songs it's heavilly rellying on sound and production. Often it's a tempo change. Originally active or fast or somewhat dancelike music played as a slow sad ballad. Like those many Billie Jeans played by the likes of David Cook an others. But every single interpretation of a sonata written on piano is played on piano with the same timbre. And nobody played the first part of Moonlight Sonata fast like waltz as an interpretation. It makes it a derrivative genre like Fantasy or Interpretation etc. And if it's rewritten for a different instrument sometimes it's called Translation or something else depends on traditions.

[@ronnyskaar3737]

@@SIBIRIAKcom Absolutely

[@codyleerose]

can you register your cover with your publisher? bmi

[@mgehrisch]

Does this information also apply to instrumental musicians that buy sheet music and then play and record it as an ensemble or edit together a multi-track performance of themselves playing a duet or quartet?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey - thanks for reaching out. I'd like to let you know of our KZbin Livestreams Every Wednesday at 5 pm PST. We try to answer as many questions as possible! Please join and ask!

[@brianhollon178]

Thanks for the video!! Incredibly important for all artists. To understand these laws

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for the support. Are you working on any cover songs at the moment? [e-mail]

[@yobhsiFehT]

Would love a dedicated video on other ways streaming differs from "mechanicals" 🙏

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great suggestion! Can you please be in the livechat with this tonight 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST?

[@yobhsiFehT]

@ Unfortunately, I will mostly likely still be at work, but thank you for the response, and I’ll be continuing to follow you and just crossing my fingers! 😄 Such a great resource!

[@easysong]

Thanks for the mentions!

[@alexc2234]

So do you need a sync license these days to legally/safely post your own video of your cover song on KZbin or not? If not, can you reference or link to any documentation that says it's ok to do so? Because this contradicts everything else I've read over the past few months online including advice by Dave from EasySong. You said a cover has to be unchanged with the same exact arrangement (excluding maybe the he/she changes) but that conflicts with some creative license allowing for changes to tempo, key, instrumentation, harmonies, and overall style. This is not to be confused with Interpolation which is more like a band rerecording Staying Alive but rapping over it; to my understanding. You sort of mention Mash-ups for a quick second but never explained it other that saying it didn't qualify as a cover. It would be great to get your legal interpretation/clarification on these points.

[@splush-beats]

Right? I believe your example of "interpolation" is correct, and you still need permission from the copyright holder to legally use it. It's not clear in this video.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Good questions! Please check out my update video I recently dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8 . And if you want some info on Interpolation, search: Top Music Attorney Interpolation". If you need legal help, reach out: [e-mail]

[@seanabbottband]

That is some great information, thanks so much!

[@SorooshMhs]

When you say arrangement, it sounds like you’re actually talking about the song structure. Arrangement to me (and i assume to most people) mostly refers to instrumentation and things like that

[@EarleMonroe]

@@SorooshMhs I thought about that a few times while watching this. I would imagine she knows the difference, since she’s a musician. And I’d expect a lawyer to speak more precisely regarding that distinction in order to avoid confusion

[@martinsquare]

Arrangement is the whole thing in fact. The song need to have the same chords and notes. The only things you can change is the tempo, the overall sound of those instruments and sound of the voice. Nobody do that except Karaoke song tracks if it is perfectly done. They want to be sure they can sue you and get the royalties at the end. ;)

[@svenisaksson3970]

@@EarleMonroe Her missuse of te term is actually causing confusion. As a lawyer, she shoulöd know the importance of how to use terms and words correctly.

[@541systamatik541]

Or you guys could use a search engine to read about it before you start commenting negatively.

[@SorooshMhs]

@@541systamatik541 my comment isn’t negative, i’m just saying this for clarification. And i don’t need to Google this. I’ve been a musician for a decade and half and also every other musician i know, has the same definition of arrangement as i do

[@kinochdotcom]

I have been posting cover songs on YT for 15 years. I have never had 1 problem except a notice that is not a strike. A couple of them get blocked in other countries. I guess it's because I don't have enough subs for it to even matter. About 8 years ago they took down a video of a game because of the music but then they restored it after a few weeks. I often times get in the YT notice that the holder allows use of the song online. The last 5 uploads I have put up, 4 are copyrighted but it says "The owner allows the content to be used on KZbin." That's what it has always said...

[@woodsnstrings]

It's a little confusing to use "arrangement" when talking about the order of verses and choruses. I think of "arrangement" as being the instrumentation used, vs. "structure" which is the organization of verses. When you said you have to keep the same arrangement, I thought, "oh shit...I'm supposed to get a brass quartet and string section now?"

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@djay6651]

I used to be on Savatage's forum, and I asked if I needed to get a band/artists permission to cover a song. Paul O'neill himself said it was perfectly legal to perform them publicly as long as I didn't say I wrote it. It wasn't until many years later that I found out that venues had to have a license for covers to be performed at said venue.

[@boywithaglassheart]

Thank you Miss Krystle.

[@narayans]

Thanks for the info . If i am doing a cover song as instrumental . Can i make it short . Or again should it follow the hole arrangement process

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Good question. Please check out my update video I recently dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8 . If you still need legal help, reach out: [e-mail]

[@NoiserToo]

Great information - thank you!

[@frankieaddiego5962]

When you say “the same arrangement,” I think you mean the order of the verse/chorus/verse/chorus/etc. but what if you change the instruments used? Like if you want to do a metal version of a cartoon theme song, is that still kosher? What if you add a guitar solo or something? Also, what if your singer just sucks and WANTS to keep the melody the same but he’s just so awful that he can’t do it?

[@Mullewarp]

That's what i thought too. There are so many "Coversongs" that don't stick to the original arrangement. Are they all not a cover from a legal perspective?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great questions actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST. Otherwise If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@frankieaddiego5962]

@@TopMusicAttorney I might be able to. I can’t promise it.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@TracyLee7777]

Thanks so much for info wonderful video

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for the support!

[@HVYCHKNRADIO]

This is great! Thanks for clarifying how that works.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I just dropped an update video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@HVYCHKNRADIO]

@TopMusicAttorney Thanks again. There is such a grey area when it comes to cover songs, edits, mashups, and remixes. I've gotten so many different answers throughout the years. This should be a good topic for your channel, especially now that DJing has become super popular, and Djing with stems is so easily accessible now at days. Remixing on the fly is the cool new thing. 😎

[@WaltPowellsAIProductions]

I've watched this video a few times. what about jazz or instrumentals. For example if you do a jazz cover of a song that has vocals

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey - please reach out if you're needing help with this - [e-mail]. Otherwise, we do host a LiveStream on Wednesdays at 5 pm MST and we try to answer as many questions as possible.

[@Sam-ss2lo]

Would you consider a breakdown video of the details of the band you mentioned that you negotiated the sale of their cover song catalog? Were all the cover songs true and full recreations in every detail, with no modifications? Were they only audio files? What are the splits with the copyright holders/songwriters?

[@Mike-hr6jz]

This is why no one wants to bother with any music anymore. The obstacles are so many, but it isn’t worth all of this. I have to take courses in legalese, along with my education of equipment, and all the things involved with production. The more obstacles and hoops to jump through is turning creativity into a nightmare, and no one born with a gift or talent will bother. I thank you for your time and your video it convinced me to stop this wasting of my entire life trying to produce something that no one will ever get to hear.

[@kelvinfunkner]

this was really helpful. not only for me to know, but to also pass along to my studio clients. Thanks!

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Love that! You're so welcome! We have a livestream this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST, would be great to see you all in the live chat :)

[@officialWWM]

It amazes me that any artist would want to stop someone from making a cover of their songs. There is a massive benefit to the original artist every time someone does a cover version. Personally, I’d be absolutely thrilled if someone did a cover of one of my songs!

[@capntripps9]

yes, i have always said this, it keeps the music alive for the generations to come.

[@officialWWM]

@ look at the extra sales Fleetwood Mac got after the dude went viral riding his skateboard while listening to “Dreams” it put the song back in the charts after 30 years and now my 12 year old listens to them!

[@MotifMusicStudios]

What a great topic to tackle! I'll be curious to listen in!

[@Reginaldborington]

The sync license thing is all well and good until you do a cover of a Bryan Adams song. I have a mechanical license for Summer of 69 (obviously not a sync license), uploaded the song + video to KZbin and got a full blown nuclear copyright strike from UMG, this was this year. Then the same happened to a 40 second clip of another Bryan Adams song I uploaded to TikTok. So that bloke just doesn't give a toss, he's going savage on people. I had it confirmed by UMG that this was actual Bryan Adams decision to do this. And tbh, the fact that an individual artist is able and allowed to do this makes a mockery of the entire process. Because, what are we meant to do?? Where's the list of every artist who does and doesn't do this? It's not a binary thing and that means it's dangerous again to do covers and put them on KZbin, all it takes is for you to cover a song from an artist who hates covers (and you had no idea who) and you could have your entire channel deleted. And there's more, I've seen Bryan Adams hand out passes or put specific indie artists onto a white list, so even with these there is grey areas, it's an absolute mess.

[@therealajnelson]

Don't cover the Eagles either. Don Henley does NOT like being out played

[@Reginaldborington]

@@therealajnelson Yea I've heard about that too, I think I heard something about Guns N Roses doing the same but I can't remember now. Which is exactly the problem. I lost all respect for Bryan Adams after that, he was once an up and comer, sure he wrote all his own stuff but I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll find him doing covers. To just shit all over people who are basically paying homage to his work is scummy at worst, ignorant at best. I can't pretend to have any kind of influence over his sales but some big cover songs do reignite the sales and awareness of the originals, that's the beauty of the cover song ecosystem which he'd kill off if everyone did what he's doing.

[@WhotheHellknowsAnyway]

Better add Neil Young to the cry baby list...........

[@therealajnelson]

@@Reginaldborington spot on

[@unclemick-synths]

​@@WhotheHellknowsAnyway you can bet these jokers will get upset in their final years when no-one remembers who they were because their fan base died out 🤣

[@WaywardFrequency]

I don't plan on using this at all (although never say never) but it's good info to know.

[@chadjeffery2672]

I understand why you didn't get into KZbin Content ID, because it's basically HOPING that you can do whatever you want because a lot of copyright holders will allow it (in exchange for...). As a lawyer you want to focus on what's certain. Makes sense But I'd love to hear about your thoughts on Content ID, and (if you know) how channels like "There I ruined it" get away with making videos that include material from several artists where there's no way to share monetization with every applicable party. Another LEGAL question - once you put a song on KZbin the proper way (through a distributer) - can people legally use clips of your cover in shorts? I'd love to hear you thoughts on shorts.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST. Otherwise If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@dreamysugar]

catalog sales...selling cover songs... 👀 how many songs in the catalog? Just publishing revenue or complete IP? Curious... 🤔

[@VashtiPerry]

Thank you in advance.

[@cjc363636]

I get it now, that streaming vs mechanical license is why some cover versions by artists are not on streaming or download sites. Now, still frustrating that a favorite from YT is not on Spotify, but at least I think I know why now. Thanks for the education!!

[@TopMusicAttorney]

So glad you found the information helpful! Is there anything else you're trying to educate yourself on? [e-mail].

[@EarleMonroe]

Question: How does this apply to parodies? I have a famous song I cover that does not change any of the original lyrics, but adds some comedic commentary dispersed throughout. (It actually changes the structure slightly but cutting the last chorus short to just get to the end.)

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST.

[@EarleMonroe]

@@TopMusicAttorney Yeah I should be able to make that time. I’ll find it on your page and set a reminder

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@EarleMonroe]

@ Thank you! I wasn’t able to make it to the livestream Q&A, so I look forward to checking it out

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

Thanks for the advices how to do cover songs without getting yourself in copyright legal issues. I do a lot of teaching P&W songs for beginner guitar fingerstyle with the hope of raising better musician at church level. The constant copyright issues becomes a challenge what I can do and cannot do. That's where your channel can provide some insight how I should be doing it without getting yourself into trouble. Cheers for the legal tips and advices from your You tube channel.

[@stevegee218]

The Japanese Metal Band Nemophila would record release weekly videos and most were covers. They grew to over 250k subscribers with 1.5m views on many of the videos within 2 years by getting picked up by the algorithm on youtube. This happened during the pandemic and was a way to grow the fans when they could not play live. This grew a big fan base for them to then release 2 original albums AND do a limited US tour. They also toured Japan.

[@sword-and-shield]

Just proves had worthless the consumers are, that some hack cover band can dominate. Its no wonder everyone wants to be a hack instead of an artist.

[@dazzhotchkin]

Nemophila a "hack cover band", haha good one. Have you listened to their original stuff?

[@sword-and-shield]

@@dazzhotchkin Just because you make originals, doesn't mean you are not a "hack" when you decide to do a cover. If you are confident enough in your own art you shouldn't have the desire to hack onto another artist's work. Worse is when you profit from it, and continue to do it, just proves a sell out mentality is in their approach. Now, clearly this is art, art carries with it opinion, mine is vehemently against covers and the hacks that do them...that's all.

[@davidmueller9342]

​@@sword-and-shieldhack means different. Different is important. There's 184 countries that could change a song that many ways.

[@sword-and-shield]

@@davidmueller9342 Hack means how I posted it, not some third world definition. A hack artist knows they are a hack, how? They are not creating their art from scratch.

[@natevanek2785]

Maybe a dumb question, but does the "synch" issue apply if I put a cover on KZbin with no actual video, just a static image of my band logo or something? Nothing is actually synched. Does this even make a difference to KZbin?

[@rileyxsko]

I was legit just talking about this today because the two drum covers I did got flagged on YT. Appreciate you for this one because my original stuff is still in the works but I have some covers I can upload.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Yeah you just have to see covers as a promotional expense. You do a bunch of work for free so that other people can find you

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Please join us on our livestream in the livechat with this tonight 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST? If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@rockindavebyron3960]

Great advice!!! Question, I stream all my live gigs on KZbin, if I play a cover in it's original length using a backing tracks, & play the vocal melody instead of singing, will that be OK? Thanks for all you do, I really do appreciate it, Rock On & God Bless.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey - thanks for reaching out! Please reach out to [e-mail]! We look forward to hearing from you!

[@CandyAppleBlue]

We are getting ready to soon release our take on the classic Stevie Nicks song, If Anyone Falls. Sadly however we will not be shooting a music video because of the whole sync license issue. It's just not worth taking a chance to get a copyright strike on our channel. So we're going to have to find other ways to promote it without a music video. I wish that a company like Easy Song could get with KZbin and issue a cover song sync license for a nominal fee. Until then I guess our hands are tied on the KZbin promotion idea. Someone suggested just doing a lyric video and I reminded them that reproducing and redistributing lyrics that don't belong to us is actually against the terms of service because they are, of course, copyright-protected. It certainly is a "catch 22".

[@orlock20]

Beth Hart was asked to do a Led Zeppelin covers album by a major producer. That was fine. Then it was time for the music videos and there was no sync license. So she released her music videos without sound. People on KZbin being people on KZbin took her video and took her version of the song and synced the two together to make an unofficial pirated music video that doesn't connect back to her.

[@DivergentReactions]

My understanding is that, based on what's said at 09:52 onwards, you won't get a copyright strike, they'll just take the monetisation (its what happens with my reaction channel with numerous copyright claims but no strikes). Correct me if I'm wrong though.

[@CandyAppleBlue]

@@DivergentReactions Well, unless, of course you're covering a Bryan Adams song or The Eagles song. It's just not worth taking the risk. It's just a big gray area and a big catch 22.

[@CandyAppleBlue]

@@orlock20 That's very interesting! Thanks for the heads up.

[@mindtorquemusic]

100%. I get the same when I do covers. I claim fair use, and that I have changed the original performance. Not monetized, but no strike either.​@@DivergentReactions

[@AboveRL]

What about creative interpretation adding new guitar solos or improvisational sections. or for example Brian Adams version of wonderwall ? I was to do that but kept lyrical consistency of the arrangement, versus chorus ext. but played with tempo and harmonic components, am I still ok to upload these videos, what would I need to do for those covers?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST. Otherwise if you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@TheImageDoctor]

ABANDON HOPE, ALL YE' WHO BELIEVE THIS MALARKY ^^^ (unless you're a signed artist, in which case your label is responsible for all this shit, and may possibly do something for you) Here's the where-the-rubber-meets-the-road, that you better understand IF YOU ARE AN UNSIGNED MUSICIAN OR BAND, and it aint good news... 1. REALISTICALLY, it is now extremely risky to post ANY musical content on YT and the more popular you become the more risk you face - why? because the platform is doing NOTHING to control fraudulent copyright claims against videos - so regardless of what this atty or any other says, your channel IS CATEGORICALLY AT RISK if you post ANY MUSICAL CONTENT WHATSOEVER because the problem is NOT with the "big name players" in the industry, the problem is with off-shore fraudsters running amuck on YT - caveat emptor !!!!!!!!!! 2. "Copyright law has been updated..." a 100% true AND 100% IRRELEVANT observation. Once again, the big risk to ALL UNSIGNED ARTISTS ON YT is NOT from legitimate copyright holders in the US where copyright law can conceptually be applied - the risk is categorically from fraudulent claimants on YT who are functionally exempt from US law PERIOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3. Do NOT let the ear-pleasing-claims of this atty lull you into a false sense of security - she's speaking from an "idealized big-business copyright compliance in the US" perspective and YOU (probably) don't have enough money to hire her or any copyright atty protect your interests - as an unsigned independent artists, your interests HAVE NO PROTECTION ONLINE AT THIS TIME, especially not on YT, and the sooner all unsigned artists wake up to that fact, the sooner WE CAN ALL start a movement to eliminate this BS from the face of the planet and restore some semblance of hope for unsigned, independent musicians and artsts JM2C

[@crunchysteve]

I've never had a copyright claim on the original music on my channel, not even a fraudulent one (wait, there was a brief one, where I was demonstrating a new fx pedal with my own tune but the missus was listening to music in the study and it broke through barely recognisably) but my music tracks have artist and song ID at the clip head and full rights data, production company ID actor, band, production crew credits, actor credits and artist ID on a tail reel. If your song is your original work, my guess is you are probably safe by this method. But then AI tech bros are trying to own IP, so it may just be a matter of time and a small fanbase that my listings haven't been hit. Who knows? Disclaimer: this is my experience, not legal advice, and it is workingfor me under Australian law. Your mileage will vary!

[@eighties73]

This is very helpful. I've been wanting to do a You Tube Channel for my band. We're just a hobby band that plays out for fun, but I thought it would be good to put some of our performances out for friends to see and maybe potential gigging opportunities. Thanks for the info. :)

[@christiang208]

We uploaded a live recording of a brian adams cover of Summer of 69 on youtube in september. First we got the usual remark about the copyright claim but that we didn't have to do anything. A month later we got a copy right strike from UMPG and the video was removed... Despite playing it pretty badly we were pretty close to the orignal so it should have counted as a cover. So it doesn't seem to be 'risk free' to do covers. So if you serious you're probably better off in getting a mechanical liscense for the videos.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for this.

[@Schlagerlobpreis]

Very interesting explained. If I understand that correctly, it's still a cover if you sing the song as it is, but in a different genre (e.g. the original is a Rock song, and you're singing it as Country version) as long as the text and melody order is the same.

[@OttoNomicus]

Miss Krystle's cover songs playlist in the description is remarkably good.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thank you SO much!!

[@fhajovan]

Appreciate your video thank you and happy holidays to you

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for the support!

[@myriaddsystems]

"Blue" was a favourite of main as well

[@daleonov]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@johnnorthtribe]

Does doing a remix (as long as the arrangement is the same) of an electronic song (without vocals) go under the same agreement? Can I do my own version of for example a Tiesto song?

[@orlock20]

That's a remix and not a cover.

[@mattbukovski92]

@@orlock20 how is it a "remix" when you produce every single sound from scratch? It kinda sounds like an "instrumental cover" type of thing, but I'm really curious to find out how publishers/labels actually treat such cases.

[@johnnorthtribe]

@@orlock20 what is the difference if I follow the same principle? I make my own drums, bass sound, synths etc but the melody and the arrangement stays the same.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST.

[@johnnorthtribe]

@@TopMusicAttorney I would gladly join the livestream. Sadly it is in the middle of the night from where I live. :( I will for sure watch the livestream afterwards during the day.

[@TheAudioDabbler]

Question: would the mechanical license available through distrokid cover interpolation? And does the same rules apply for worship songs as far as arrangement?

[@pmunkey1]

Hi, so Ditto music/Spotify just rejected my cover song because the original was 5:19 and my song was 5:40 because it had 20 secs of ambience at the end, other than that it was very faithful to the original.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Oh man! If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@theking-kh2wc]

best video iv seen yet on this subject thank you, i want to start singing songs using backround music that i will probably purchase from lickd and post them on youtube for monitization ,lickd reckon that when you suscribe and buy the the backround track that i am fully licensed for monitization on youtube ,my question is young lady if i do that will i still have to purchase the rights for the backround music from easy song listening ? sorry for the spelling im irish lol

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey - thanks for reaching out. We can assist with this - please contact us at [e-mail].

[@SFontaine]

13:27 You keep saying to "keep the same arrangement/keep the same lyrics," but I'm still a tad confused on that. Do I have to keep the same chord progression and melody, or just the same words in their original order?

[@RobKMusic]

Arrangement is synonymous with "structure" in this context and applies both the music and lyrics. Like verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse 2, pre-chorus-2, chorus 2, bridge, solo, etc.. you can't "rearrange" the sections of the song to be different from the original.

[@SFontaine]

@RobKMusic Okay. I understand. One more question, though: can I abridge by cutting off, for example, a chorus that repeats to fade on the original? Like, can I do it and then end the song, or do I have to repeat it as many times as they did on the recording? It wouldn't be changing the lyrics, the arrangement of the lyrics, nor the meaning of the lyrics - it would just not include the ongoing repetition at the end. Thx for all your guys' help! Y'all rock!! 🤘🤙

[@crunchysteve]

Abridgement is most likely considered a change, is my bet, but I'm just a watcher not a lawyer. In all these matters and, I think @topmusicattorney would aggree, always err on the side of caution. Always. The labels' lawyers can beat up your lawyers anyday, and they'll eat you alive for dessert. I know people that this has happened to.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST.

[@SFontaine]

@@TopMusicAttorney I'll try. My schedule usually doesn't allow me to catch the live streams, so I have to catch up with segments; but that means I'm never there for live Q&A. ☹️

[@ronjie]

Hey. What happens if I translate a song but essentially use the same arrangement? What if I translate, keep the same arrangement and change the genre? Still a cover?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey if you're liked to ask this during our Live Stream, please join us Wednesdays at 5 pm MST. We can also answer your question in a consultation; please reach out if that's of interest: [e-mail].

[@brandnewyou5254]

Thank you so much for the useful information

[@markdeffebach8112]

In the jazz world we may play solos over the entire form (what you called structure) of a standard (cover), we may vamp certain sections (repeart small sections) etc. Basically, the form of the (standard or "cover") tune is rarely the same. This is standard practice for jazz performances and recordings. Any live jazz recording being monitized will likely be this way. Also It used to be that when you recorded someone else's tune with your own arrangement, you could copyright your arrangement separately from copyrighting your sound recording so that you would get a royalty of someone used your arrangement of a tune you didn't compose. Is this still true? ("Arranging" is a type of music degree)

[@EnriqueLazaro]

There's one question you haven't clarified. What about instrumental covers that don't incorporate vocals? Is it still a cover despite not using lyrics? There are hundreds of thousands of solo piano covers of pop songs and according to easysonglicensing support they are still considered “covers” but legally I have my doubts.

[@lotusshrine]

thaksss this is so helpful

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Thanks for the support!

[@The_artist_called_The_Engineer]

So I have a question. I have recorded a number of covers and released them via DistroKid and bought the licence. I’d like to put them on SoundCloud and monetize them do I need a separate license? Similarly I’d like to eventually put them on Bandcamp, what do u do there?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey - thanks for reaching out - this is something we can definitely help with. Please reach out to [e-mail]! We look forward to hearing from you!

[@anitafaye77]

What if you want to use a karaoke version of a cover song but can't find a MLC song code for the production company that produced the karaoke version?

[@mysticdragon77]

What about remixes only for streaming or youtube and not for sale?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@mrmaxxx94]

Appreciate the information, right on and needs to be known and the po li tricks involved

[@TopMusicAttorney]

For sure, thank you! Please check out my update video I recently dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8 .

[@jngl-jim]

This video was uploaded with impeccable timing! 🎉

[@jesseflood]

@TopMusicAttorney I think that your next video should be on Robyn Adele Anderson. She's a great singer who does cover songs in different styles. So for instance, the lyrics are the same, but she'll have a swing cover or a jazz cover. The video could be about the copyright side as well as the business $ide. I'd watch that video. I just bought my cousin VOL 7 compilation of her covers for Christmas. 🎄

[@mrroye]

my questions is this, Are the vamps and fills at the end of a song considered a part of the arrangement? Have I rearranged the song if I omit , mispronounce or add what I feel ?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great questions actually! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this Wednesday 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST.

[@mrroye]

@@TopMusicAttorney that's 9:pm EST. I'll try. I am setting up for the 12th as i am having my 64th birthday on a school night.. I am so happy Instagram's algorithm suggested your site. My Hollands Opus of 40 plus years in finally underway. All my former students will be surprised.

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

Great information and very timely - thank you. I have 3 questions: 1. Does YT count as a streaming platform if you only have it as audio with a thumbnail? 2. Does a live recording of you playing a cover count as a "music video" when you upload it to YT, TikTok, FB, IG, etc (I suspect the answer is yes). 3. What if you're livestreaming a show you play and you're doing covers? Does that need a mechanical license for each cover you do?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey thanks for reaching out! Please feel free to email my assistant and we can arrange for a consultation for you - [e-mail]. Look forward to hearing from you!

[@GreyMouser517]

Excellent video. Not sure how I haven't come across your channel before.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Many many thanks to you!! Join our livestream tonight at 6pm MST / 5pm PST! Jump into the "live chat" and say hi :)

[@GreyMouser517]

@@TopMusicAttorney I'm not very talented but I enjoy playing and have a small cover band. I've been in and out of em for a few decades. But I've recently been thinking about starting and Indie label for some of my friends who are talented that are writing some good material. I'm going to see if there's any interest and possibly take your course going into next year. You've done an excellent job marketing and bringing all of your work together.

[@DavidRavenMoon]

I did a cover of a T-Rex song on my other KZbin channel. It’s just the audio. I got a copyright claim from KZbin, which I was kind of expecting, only it absolutely was not the song’s owner. I suspect someone else did a cover and copyrighted it and they put the claim in. I’ve heard others talk about this on KZbin.

[@EOeoEOeoOEoeOEeo]

@@DavidRavenMoonI create music for children's media and people have the cajones to copyright traditional music... They can't get the money from it, though.

[@orlock20]

That's why you are allowed to dispute claims.

[@EOeoEOeoOEoeOEeo]

@@orlock20I've disputed two or three times to no effect. No idea who is making a claim on traditional songs, but it's annoying!

[@TopMusicAttorney]

If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@EOeoEOeoOEoeOEeo]

@@TopMusicAttorney this is not a pressing legal issue (yet), but I have a growing channel that might need some good legal consultation in the near future.

[@Keitenrenbu]

{Question} How about accustic covers modified with modified or without guitar solos?

[@myriaddsystems]

THANKS!😃

[@paulkenyon3372]

Hi 👋 What if I want to post a video covering a song but it's a musical or lyrical fail?

[@ariesdiary9489]

what about a stream? does this cover streaming cover of songs?

[@JerridFoiles]

9:52 isn't a sync license for putting the music track on a video? What about performance licenses?

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this tonight 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST?

[@alwayscurious413]

Super summary - would be very useful to know the situation is for the UK.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this tonight 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST? If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@JCPhotoFrance]

Thank you for your video, the information is wonderful. Please, consider using a filter for your microphone. Your sound quality will be much better, in my humble opinion.

[@tidalwavestudio]

is there a rule for the meter of a song? Can I play a 4/4 song in 3/4, or woud that break the cover-rules? thanks!

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Please join our KZbin Livestreams Every Wednesday at 5 pm PST. We try to answer as many questions as possible; please join and ask.

[@MeenaHarlow-kx4fz]

If I make my own arrangement on the piano (no lyrics) of another song and keep the main melody and chord progression but change the style of left hand chord styles- how does “ownership” of this work? I want to make sure to cover all of these bases before releasing anything. Will DistroKid handle all of this for me as long as I specify that I didn’t write the song itself but arranged it? Any info would be so helpful !

[@RyanMeeksMusic]

I had an issue where I made an aramgement of Silent Night, which is in public domain, and my distributor wouldn't distribute it to Facebook, insta, or tiktok. It really pissed me off. I know plenty of artists doing christmas music and it is distributed fine.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@JDizzoMusic]

Can we explain the music (instrumental) for the cover song? Can the instrumental be significantly different for the cover? Such as changing chords? When does a cover become derivative work? Thanks

[@TopMusicAttorney]

This is a great question! With things like this I love to answer them live during our Wednesday livestreams so I can help everyone get this answer. Can you please be in the livechat with this tonight 12/11 at 6pm MST / 5pm PST? If you ever wanna talk to one of our attorneys about this, we could schedule something! Reach out to: [e-mail] 🔥

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@JDizzoMusic]

@TopMusicAttorney thank you missKrystle

[@MarsCapone]

So is ‘arrangement’ synonymous with ‘song structure’ in music law? Because every time I heard arrangement I am thinking of the instrument chosen and their parts, my previous understanding of the term

[@TopMusicAttorney]

I address this in my update video I just dropped. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTCmp9jh9Kmfq8

[@RudolfKruse-o4v]

First! Thank you for doing your thing on both fronts! So.....What about contrafactum ? Would it be considered a parody legally? I recently rewrote all the lyrics to a hit 80's song, thinking that it was a parody but my lyrics are neither poking fun at the original song or the band itself. Could this also be considered as derivative? I use same melody, arrangement and song structure. The chords of which are basic and there's no riffing to speak of in the original.

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey if you're liked to ask this during our Live Stream, please join us Wednesdays at 5 pm MST. We can also answer your question in a consultation; please reach out if that's of interest: [e-mail].

[@Michaelalanrockguitarist]

What about if you do a cover and make it a complete instrumental ? Any advice

[@TopMusicAttorney]

Hey - please join us at the next YT Livestream. Wednesdays at 5 pm PST!

[@PeaceNinja007]

Question: - What about when we make an instrumental cover of a popular song by removing all lyrics. Are we allowed to fiddle around with the arrangement, melody, and maybe even chord progression? Ty 🙏