Covering a song just got easier

Over the years, i’ve been involved in the process of obtaining rights to cover a particular song that was protected by US Copyright.  Haste the Day covered “Long Way Down” by the Goo Goo Dolls, Still Remains covered “Head Like A Hole” by Nine Inch Nails and Haste the Day also covered “Meet Me Halfway” by the Black Eyed Peas. Thankfully the bands were recording for record labels that had staff willing to go after the approvals for the usages.  Each time the usages were a little different but they negotiated the terms, agreed to them and the bands recorded their own renditions.

This process is a little bit harrier for independent artists that don’t have a team or back office to help them stay “legal” when it comes to covering certain copyrighted songs.  But not so much anymore because of an organization by the name of LimeLight (www.songclearance.com).

Now, thanks to Limelight (RightsFlow), Artists can easily secure a mechanical license for a composition without having to do any of the heavy lifting. You simply go to www.songclearance.com and enter your details, the song details (as best as you know), then the terms of the license (how you intend to you use the song and where) and then you pay a small fee and royalties based on usage.

Boom!

You’re legal.

It really is that easy!  The nice is thing is that Limelight does all the heavy lifting to clear your usage of the song.

Having said that, Are you thinking about a Christmas song?  Check the public domain to see if you have to license the song, and if you do, head over to www.songclearance.com to make it legit.

For more information on RightsFlow, the power behind LimeLight, read the boilerplate from their press releases:

About RightsFlow
www.rightsflow.com

RightsFlow is a leading technology-enabled licensing and royalty service provider for artists, record labels, distributors, and online musiccompanies. Our technology powers rapid song identification and provides an unprecedented level of transparency for both licensees and licensors.  RightsFlow specializes in obtaining bulk physical, DPD, and ringtone licenses including streaming, tethered, and limited download rights. Our proprietary “FLOW” licensing technology and 30-million song database allow us to serve over 16,000 clients obtaining licenses from publishers and songwriters all over the world – including major, independent and artist controlled works.

RightsFlow also powers:
·      Limelight (www.songclearance.com), its online mechanical licensing utility providing the simplest way for musicians, bands, choirs and labels to clear any cover song.
·      MySpark Copyright (www.mysparkcopyright.com), the right way to register and protect your intellectual property; simplifying copyright registration for content owners and creators.

Clients include YouTube, Rhapsody, Clear Channel, Muzak, The Orchard, Tunecore, INgrooves, 7 Digital, Wolfgang’s Vault, Copyright Clearance Center, Christian Copyright Solutions, Guvera, Dada Entertainment/Play.ME, Scattertunes, Alliance, Kontor New Media, Beatport, Zebralution, E1 Canada, CD Baby, DiscMakers, Qello, IRIS, REBEAT, & X5 Music Group.

RightsFlow is a member of AIM, A2IM, ASCAP, Chorus America, DDEX, DiMA, MEIEA, NAB, NAfME, NAMM, and NARM.

RightsFlow is headquartered in NYC and has offices in San Francisco and Atlanta.

So what does all of this mean?