How to get permission for a song

[amaya]

I don't really know how this works, but I know that you're supposed to ask for permission to be able to use a song, if it is already copyrighted and what not, as to avoid the whole Palomo/Pepe Aguilar incident with "Miedo"...
Just out of curiousity, how would one go about doing that? Just write to the company that's selling the music, or the original author of the song, or are there other methods? I've been noticing how a couple of bands have been using alot of spanish rock or ballads and just tranposing them into tejano/norteño songs... especially from Sin Banderas... I kinda had a few songs that I'd like to try, before going to the studio, but I dont really feel like gettin sued by somebody...
So does anyone know how to go about this matter? thanks in advance

-Amaya

[Jr Salinas]

WOW! I Was Told That It Really Doesnt Matter To Get Permision Unless The Song Has A Copyright Wich I Dont Know If Bands Or Authors Use. I Would Guess That You Should Send An Email To The Label And Ask For Permission To Do What Song You Would Like. I Hope This Helps Bro, If Not Then Just Keep Looking On The Net Or What Ever.

Jr Salinas

[TexasFM3]

Are you talking about only covering the song live or recording the song on a album of your own.

To simply cover the song you have nothing to wory about, it is when you record it under someone elses label and start making money on it that people start to take notice and want a royalty on each album sold.

True you would have to contact the bands managment and talk this over with them.

TexasFM3

[David Gordon Burke]

It is not the band you need to contact, it is the company which publishes the tunes. I will look into this more, but from my understanding you don't need to get permission, you just need to pay.
Stoney

[David Gordon Burke]

I finally got around to researching this point.
Here in Canada there is a thing called SOCAN. I do not know what is the equivalent counterpart in the US but this is an organization that monitors and pays royalties to songwriters.
One would have to notifiy SOCAN as to what song was going to be recorded and how many copies are going to be printed and they let you know how much it is going to cost.
One must be registered with the organization.
That is all I know so far. Anyone know what is the equivalent organization in the US?
Stoney

[Emmanuel]

Hey Guys

It either RIAA or BMG or maybe both I can't remember, but one them is on charge of the royalties and the other is charge of music and lyric copyright.

Emmanuel