How can I make song covers legally?

[Dashabel 381]

I've recently had the inspiration to create music, or make covers of songs, particularly brony music, of course. However, I've not a clue about copyright laws or anything like that, and I'm not sure how to make covers of songs without getting into trouble. I know that for any song, I'm not likely to get caught because YouTube is such a wide community and thousands if people make covers of songs. But I'm talking about brony music. I really want to make covers of songs, mostly by EileMontyVA (she's my favourite), but I don't know what to do, and I don't want to be hated for copying songs!

Do I just ask the Youtubers if I can make a cover? Also, how to I get a backing track for the song? Would the Youtubers provide that to?

Songs I'd like to cover within the brony YouTube community are:

-Double Rainboom by EileMonty and PKEmi

-Home by Jeff Burgess feat, EileMonty and Memjo

-I Am Octavia by EileMonty

-Lost in the Moon by The Living Tombstone, WoodenToaster and Rina-Chan

-Anthropology by AwkwardMarina

...there's loads more.

 

So how can I do this? I'd really appreciate your help!

I'd also really love to get famous just like EileMonty and do duets with her and stuff... But ya know, not gonna happen

Edited May 1, 2013 by Meadowsong

[Mr. White 71]

On brony-made songs, it's typically not a problem as long as you claim it's only a cover and link back to the original version of the song, aka properly credit the original author.

 

When it comes to covering music that has copyright associated with it, you'd have to make a deal with the group that holds the copyright, and you'll likely end up shelling out a lot of money in that process.

[NightOwl 912]

I'm on the same boat as-well I want to make some piano covers of some songs from the show like Winter wrap up and This Day Aria. I reckon just give the proper credits and It should be ok I wish I knew though. 

[elbj 190]

As long as you give credit to the original creators of the material you can cover whoever you want to without having to worry about getting sued or anything. You can even cover copyrighted music, too as long as you don't plan to sell it afterwards.

[Dashabel 381]

Thanks for the help guys! But if I couldn't download a backing track of a song, would I have to compose it myself?

[Thevenomous 59]

Thanks for the help guys! But if I couldn't download a backing track of a song, would I have to compose it myself?

Well, artists sometimes provide links for instrumental versions in the video descriptions. That's how I got the music for my covers. Although, if they haven't provided it already, I'm sure they wouldn't mind sending it to you if you asked them for it.

[Dusty Soul 2,614]

Just give credit to the original maker.  Just put a link back the original work and that should be good for brony music.  You can cover copyrighted music, just don't sell it.

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

Depends. I would suggest letting the author or original artist know that you're covering the song (Ask permission). That's if it's a brony song (which most bronies say you can cover it).

 

If it's a ponified cover of a pop song from EMI records or Universal, then that's a lot tougher.

 

Technically any ponified version of it is illegal, unless you're making the song a parody cover, which it presents satirical content.