If I post a video of me singing on YouTube is that against the law?
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Ok so like I play the guitar and am currently learning to sing. A few people have told me I should post videos on youtube because I am pretty good. You know how on youtube they have people that post song covers to very popular songs played on the radio? Yea well these people whether it is with a guitar or a piano they sing along to these very popular songs and post their videos on youtube. I have seen quite a few people who actually rack up a few million views for each cover they do. But like isn't that against the law to post a song cover video of themselves singing the same song from the raido considering they do not own the rights to the lyrics? Not many of the peoples videos I have seen ask for money or post links to download the songs but a few have posted links telling people to download their song on itunes. So like if I wanted to do a cover to a song by Adele for example what would I need to do in order to post a video of me singing her song with my guitar? One of my favorite youtube sensation singers was recently suspended and in a new account he uploaded a video explaining that youtube suspended him for copyright infringement but he never said if they did it because of his song covers. How does this work?
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Answer:
You're supposed to get a license under 17 USC § 115 to record and distribute a cover performance. You're allowed to perform in public, for free and without charging admission (17 USC § 110), but things change when you "create" a new "copy" (actually a "derivative work") by making a sound or video recording of the performance. In other words, the statutory exception only applies to the free performance, not the recording of the free performance, let alone publication and distribution (i.e., online upload). YouTube only cares if you happen to trigger one of their "content matching" filters or if one of the copyright owners files a specific complaint about your upload. The more famous you are, the more likely you are to attract the wrong kind of attention. Also, "Where there's money, there's lawyers."
Johnny at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source
Other answers
Your covers are fine and legal. If you play a MP3 track of someone else's stuff they suspend you.
Jacob
In THEORY cover songs are still copyrighted BUT the original creators/copyright owners rarely go after fans or amateurs making a cover for free. If you try to monetize (using the You Tube ad service) or to charge for performing in public then you would need to pay for a Public Performance License. So as a general rule, you'll be fine.
me
I don't think YouTube would let you do it if was illegal.
jaker
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