Adrian Rogowski wrote
Yes, it is copyright infringement. But so are so many things for that matter.
For example I remember a while ago they had to shut down the site 911tabs or something like that because simply working out the guitar riffs and chords to a song, and posting them alongside the lyrics is copyright infringement. But I think its got to the point (especially for Youtube) where they are not absolutely concerned about it, unless you taking someone else's video or song and passing it off as your own and making money as a result. But strictly speaking, yes, Youtube covers are not really allowed.
The same is actually playing covers in any bar/pup/gig venue. You not actually allowed to do that, and you or the venue owner could get sued.
Where I come from we have a institution called SABAM, you play a gig at any venue and the owner or organizer of the venue is responsible to pay SABAM a fee on behalf of the band for the songs they play. Obviously there are some honest people around over there and the band would send the list of songs they would perform weeks in advance or well in time for the owner to contact SABAM and ask for the fee amount. Quite surprisingly this fee is not huge at all. The band can also arrange this on behalf on the owner/organiser they simply add this fee to the band's fee for the gig . I seem to remember that this fee would have to be paid In advance, but it is a long time ago. SABAM would and did quite often send "controllers" around to various gig's or events and would check if payment was done. This is for the benefit of the musicians as they get royalties paid at a certain monthly interval. Doubt this would ever work in this country(maybe collection only)
Just found the website of SABAM(only applies in Belgium but it give you an idea)
http://www.sabam.be/en
Once you completed the form under Create your event online, the band can copy any song to the best of their abilities. Don't know what would happen if you do it better but that another story.
Interesting is the way they calculate the amount or fee due. The following factors are taken into account :
- entrance fee to the event
- number of people attending the event
- size of the event or venue
- the number of events the organiser arranges or has per year
- the cost of drinks served at the venue
- etc.
Oh and yes one has to pay VAT on the fee as well
