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Local bands often perform cover songs during shows, but copyright issues can arise if the performance catches the attention of copyright holders. YouTube’s content ID system helps artists and labels claim ad revenue from videos. Due to copyright strikes, goodsoundwaves will no longer feature cover bands, focusing instead on original music performances.
When local bands perform shows they often incorporate some cover songs into their sets, or some are cover bands outright. Occasionally one of those song performances stands out enough that it gets the attention of the copyright holder.
It’s easy to overlook the copyright issues when most music publishers seem content with drawing the ad revenue in lieu of content removal. YouTube has a system in place where many songs, including original songs from local bands, can be identified as covers. This allows the artist/label to collect the ad revenue generated by the video instead of, in this case, goodsoundwaves. As I do this as a fun way to promote local music and not as some part of a business model, that always worked for me.
One night I recorded The Scenic Route performing “Hotel California” by the Eagles at Jerzees (Belden) in Canton, Ohio. Jonathan Hohl, of the über talented band hubris, was on guitar with Justin Chase Williams on drums. Jonathan’s guitar solo and the band’s performance quickly generated well over 1,500 views and caught the attention of Universal Music.
This resulted in our first and only copyright strike on YouTube. Three strikes within a 90 day period could result in the termination of the goodsoundwaves YouTube channel. It’s the primary means of distributing the performance videos, so I didn’t want to risk a second strike.
I have since gone and deleted all cover songs that I or YouTube’s content identification system has been able to identify. This includes letting YouTube automatically trim out offending pieces from full show videos that were already posted. My apologies for any odd edits, however it was the most efficient way to update all content.
When a local band performs their original music and the content ID system detects their song, it’s with their permission so I’m not worried about strikes from my core mission. I encourage artists to content ID their music so they can claim any ad revenue benefit associated with any plays you get on the goodsoundwaves YouTube channel. I’m just happy to get to share the music!
Going forward goodsoundwaves isn’t going to record any cover bands for our LIVE SHOWS or SESSIONS videos. Any of those occasional covers included by bands as part of their performance of their original music will likewise be omitted from any final videos. It’s not an issue with the quality of the performances; I enjoyed them all. It’s about the difference of getting permission from a band such as Gosinicc playing Gosinicc songs or getting permission from, in this instance, Universal Music for an Eagles song and all the other rights holders for each other covered song.
While I can’t keep Jonathan’s sweet “Hotel California” guitar solo, I’m definitely keeping the The Scenic Route’s original songs. Rachel Crozier is an exceptional vocalist backed by catchy songwriting.
Thank you to bands like Band Kamp Rejects and Rooster Jones that I had to entirely remove from the playlists. You should check out their YouTube channels to see if they’re sharing their cover songs. They have copies of the original videos that I could no longer personally use.
NOTE: THIS IS JUST OPINION. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY. CONSULT A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL IF YOU HAVE LEGAL QUESTIONS, DUMMY.
