Can I use Don Sebesky's arrangement of a song on my record?

[airtrainer]

Should I ask for a special authorization in I case I want to record a standard song version but using Don Sebesky's original orchestral arrangement from Wes Montgomery's version?

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by airtrainer

Should I ask for a special authorization in I case I want to record a standard song version but using Don Sebesky's original orchestral arrangement from Wes Montgomery's version?

I wouldn't. Jazz musicians can be extremely violent

[LeeRosario]

Aww man. Now I'm trying to remember whats the name of the copyright law that discribes this situation.


It basically states the term of public domain stuff and what not.


So I *think* if it's older than 50 years then it's public domain. If not you need express written permission and mechanical licenses from the copyright holder and/or it's owner(s) if you intend on releasing this to the public.

In that case, you would need a mechanical license to print your CDs at a plant. I think it goes for something like 75dollars a "unit",but I might be waaaaaaaaaaaay off.

But like I said, look up the laws on copyright, Im not too sure.

[warble]

Some info on copyright expiration (from Google search):
http://library.dts.edu/Pages/RM/Helps/copyright.shtml

Mechanical licensing is based on the number of units produced with a specified copyrighted song on it, and is calculated by minutes. I've searched at the Harry Fox agency Website here in the U.S. to find out about this. Mechanical licensing is good from a minumum of 500 units to 2500 units max.

Here are the current statutory royalty rates:
As of January 1, 2006 the statutory mechanical rate is as follows:

9.10 Cents for songs 5 minutes or less or 1.75 Cents per minute or fraction thereof over 5 minutes. For example:

5:01 to 6:00 = $.105 (6 x $.0175 = $.105)
6:01 to 7:00 = $.1225 (7 x $.0175 = $.1225)
7:01 to 8:00 = $.14 (8 x $.0175 = $.14)

I'm going on here, so airtrainer, what song are you hoping to record?

[mboxkid]

The arrangement copyright is owned by whoever owns the copyright. So, you would only need to contact the owner of the Wes Montgomery tune that you're talking about (probably easy to get thru Harry Fox Agency...as described in a previous post) and request permission for the use of that song. Any and all rights to the arrangement (including the Sebesky arrangement or any arrangement that you might do of it...) is automatically owned by the copyright holder. So, just get a mechanical license and you're covered for the recording.