Clarification on covers requested

[Soror_YZBL]

So that means no punk irish trad songs?

[DJFreddyG]

So that means no punk irish trad songs?

Based on the rules...No

[Sayburr]

So that means no punk irish trad songs?

Based on the rules...No

I would say Trad songs are not going to be allowed simply to keep there from being 100 different versions of the same song on the RBN.

[LuigiHann]

I would say Trad songs are not going to be allowed simply to keep there from being 100 different versions of the same song on the RBN.

But I can never get enough rock versions of Canon in D!!!

Ever!!!

[BStu78]

As far as I know, Classical Compositions are considered Public Domain until 2019. What that means as far as use in RBN (inregards to Original vs Cover) I have no idea.

I have no idea what you are trying to suggest here, but its really impossibly vague by any standard. Classical-style compositions are not by definition anything. It matters when it was written. Anything written in the Classical period, however, will have been in the public domain for over a century at the least. And its staying there. I think there have been a couple isolated cases of works being yanked out of the public domain by a change in the law, but I think that's limited to early 20th century works that are the focal point of the expanding terms of copyright protection. I'm aware of no suggestion to pull any works from the late 18th century out of the public domain, nor any party who could be lobbying for such a move. Those works are in the public domain and staying there.

As has been noted, though, public domain works are out for the RBN, too. I imagine the core reason is that its much easier to ask the musician to attest that they control publishing rights. That's a straightforward approach. You either do or don't. There is no need to do due diligence to confirm that a work is in the public and is not protected by a separate copyright on a protected arrangement of said work. Its a bummer, but its a prudent approach.

As to the notion that this creates a travisty in that cover songs can be popular, well, so? RBN is mostly a venue for emerging artists. It can't be all things to all people. Cover songs obviously have made it into the game. Repeatedly. Ring of Fire, Piece of My Heart, Smooth Criminal, Hard to Handle, Train Kept-a-Rollin', Kids in America, I Fought the Law, Summertime Blues, etc, etc. There is an avenue for this, but it just can't be part of the streamlined, "do-it-yourself" approach of the RBN because it would require more work from Harmonix than can realistically be allotted. Cover songs require a lot of clearances and Harmonix can't just hope someone else has their paperwork in order. Its a bummer. I was hoping to get The Shins cover of We are All Silhouettes by Postal Service. But I get it, too.

[Soror_YZBL]

I would say Trad songs are not going to be allowed simply to keep there from being 100 different versions of the same song on the RBN.

so not fair. some of my favorite bands play that flogging molly/dropkick murphy's style of celtic punk, and it's sad that most of the songs they do would be excluded. Then again, they can always vary the melody, slap on some nonsense about county down and grog, and call it an original.

[DJFreddyG]

I have no idea what you are trying to suggest here, but its really impossibly vague by any standard. .

Thanks for the heads up. I have no idea why I wrote exactly what I did, it appears I combined 2 different thoughts into one statement.
Allow me to clarify:

Yes, Classical Music...or any music copyrighted prior to 1923 is now and forever Public Domain. Also, works that have not had there copyright renewed, regardless of when it was originally copywritten, are considered Public Domain as well.
There is currently a moratorium in place on works created after 1923 (the 1998 Sonny Bono aka "Mickey Mouse" Extension Act) that allows copyrighted works...like Mickey Mouse....to remain out of Public Domain till 2019.
As you can probably figure, there are entities that are trying to keep material from entering PD. In fact, a large portion of classic Disney material/characters would be close to or even within PD, if not for the extension. That would have cost companies like Disney big time.

And due to the above extension, copyright ownership for music (published since 1923) is Life of the author plus 75 years.
This info is only valid for works with copyrights in the US and the EU. Other countries have there own copyright terms, or in some cases none at all.

There are some exceptions to what is and is not Public Domain, such as a Classical Piece that has been released with a new arrangement. That new work, even if essentially the same as the old work, could be copyright protected and would not be in the PD.