Yes, theoretically, you're in violation of the copyright law if you include "covers" as part of your playlist without paying ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. "Fair use" and "parodies" are a little more difficult to explain, and I'll cover that part of the copyright law in a more complete post later.

For example, if you make a copy of a rental movie as an example to show in your class for further discussion, that would be "fair use", BUT, if you didn't buy the movie, watching a "home-recorded copy" of a movie you borrowed or rented is against the law.

Yes, you can legally make a copy of a vinyl album you own to a CD, but no, you can not copy your friend's store-bought CD of the same music.

Parodies are a very touchy subject. Most people usually ask the songwriter's permission to use the song as the basis for a parody. They can try and withhold permission, but then it comes down to a court case if they wanna sue.

Last edited by Harvey Gerst; 09/02/09 04:52 PM.