Using lyrics of a song as a VO?

William_Robinette

William_Robinette

Shallow Member
I know music questions come up all the time, and trust me, I am going to talk to a lawyer before I go through with it, just wondering if anyone else as dealt with this.

I am going to shoot a short shortly and I think I want to have a character saying (VO style) the lyrics of a song. I don't want melody or anything like that, just the words. It might not be the whole song, I might cut it up and all that. The song is by a signed band, bigger album, etc. Am I going to have to get the same rights and clearances to do this the same as if I was using the actual song, or will I only need to secure some of the rights because I am not using the recording?

Anyone have any input? Just want to know where to start.
 
Both the lyrics and the music of a song are copyrighted. Period. Lyrics are treated the same as the music. Yes you'll need to get the rights to the lyrics.
 
But to your question regarding what rights you'll need...
You'll need permission from the publisher of the song - they own the copyright on the song itself (music and lyrics,, as noted by craigbowman above).
You won't need the rights of the band's recording of their performance (the Master rights), because you are, essentially, re-performing the song.
 
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