Q: Selling cover songs as a session singer
Hey evereyone.
I freelance as a session singer. I record vocals by demand, and send them to producers. It's always original work, so no copyright issues.
However, I've skipped alot of gigs where I was specifically asked to record a cover for an existing song, worrying about copyright issues.
I wanted to hear your opinion about that situation:
A producer orders vocals, and I make it clear via messages that he is responsible for any copyright clearance when releasing the project. I then record the vocals, send it to him and he then does with that product whatever (youtube, release.. at that point it's out of my hands.)
Am I in the clear here, or will I still be responsible if any copyright issues rise?
Thank you!
A: Your reluctance to provide demos without copyright clearance is wise, and you should insist the would-be producer provide a written assurance that he/she will not distribute the demo and will indemnify you for any claim of copyright infringement. Be sure to label (or record as a preamble) the demo copy as "not for distribution".
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