Quote:
Thing is, I as just a general user can't delete this thread by now even if I wanted to.

Well, if you really want to, you can flag it for the mods to delete, and they will. Or just self-censor the naughty URL.

Anyway, just to mention something I regard as problematic:

The forum rules don't just prohibit copyright violations. They say, "You are allowed to post links to your own original songs." (emphasis added)

This, of course, not only disallows copyright violations but use of public domain material as well, so strictly speaking I am a violator for linking to a "cover" of Beethoven's violin concerto.

They also don't provide for the use of licensed copyrighted material, so even if I went to the trouble of getting the right to make a cover of this Stevie Wonder song I still wouldn't be allowed to post it here, under existing rules.

Regarding the PD issue, I (and I assume anyone else) just goes "eh, they didn't mean that" and ignores the rule as they break it. Never a great state of affairs for a rule you want people to take seriously.

And regarding the licensing issue, what incentive do I have to pay $15 to license my cover if the rules say that's still not allowed? (BTW, has anyone actually done that, licensed a song specifically to be able to post it here, and specified this in their post?)

SUMMARY OF SUGGESTION:

Amend the forum rule to explicitly allow use of public domain and licensed copyrighted material.

Thinking about it, I can almost guarantee this will result in more people paying that fee to do just that, which will be a good thing, yes? I personally have never had the slightest idea how to license a song. If it's really just $15, hey, I'll probably do it.

AUXILIARY SUGGESTION:

Create a new forum for licensed covers, with a sticky post explaining how exactly to do this and what you need to put in your post to show you're in compliance.

Last edited by Mark Hayes; 01/05/22 08:02 AM.