Question about creating a book of lap steel arrangements of copyrighted songs

[David DeLoach]

I've got over 250 songs arranged for lap steel and I'm thinking about creating a book of the arrangements. However, most of the songs are copyrighted. I see where other guys on this forum sell books of arrangements of copyrighted songs.

It is significantly expensive to get the rights from the publisher to print and sell an arrangement of a copyrighted song.

Is it just the fact that lap steel arrangements will have minimal sales and therefore publishers don't really care? Or is there some legitimate way to do this?

One book of lap steel arrangements I have states, "All information contained in this book is compiled from freely available sources and was derived from the author's independent research. There is no intent to infringe upon the intellectual property rights of. any party. No content was authorized, furnished or approved by other parties."

Other books I have obtained of lap steel arrangements don't say anything about copyrights.

Here is an example of one of my arrangements I'd like to put into a book....

SOMETHING by George Harrison: https://youtu.be/QBb-4erSVDc

EDIT to original post. I found this information on FAIR USE or copyrighted material.

https://ogc.harvard.edu/pages/copyright-and-fair-use

I looks like selling lap steel arrangements of copyrighted song MAY fall into Fair Use. Guess I need to engage an attorney who specializes in this to navigate these waters.

[Bill McCloskey]

Publishing a guitar arrangement of a copyrighted song without permission is a copyright infringement, as it's a derivative work of the original song, and the copyright holder (usually the music publisher) owns the rights to create such derivative works

To legally publish a guitar arrangement of a copyrighted song, you need to obtain a license or permission from the copyright holder (or their representative).

The copyright holder of the original song (usually the music publisher) has the exclusive right to create derivative works, including arrangements, and to authorize their distribution

[Mike Neer]

I have purchased mechanical rights and it gets confusing for song folios, but it is something like 15% of the retail price multiplied by the number of copies of books you intend to print. It has been a while though. I also purchased licensing for the songs I've recorded, in spite of being told not to worry about it. I didn't do this for the individual lessons I created though, and justified it in my mind by seeking permission from the people who I transcribed when I was able to. Those were always fun exchanges!

I use Easy Song Licensing by the way, and if you use them, tell them I recommended you. I think I get like a $25 kickback. But their services are very affordable and solid.

This reply will self-destruct in 24 hours. Lol

[David DeLoach]

This looks like a legitimate option. No hefty fee from the publisher to sell a printed arrangement. However, doesn't look like it is a way publish a book of arrangements, but rather a way to sell your arrangement via their website.

https://www.arrangeme.com/

Probably won't make as much $ per sale going this route, but it's legit.

[Michael Kiese]

Great thread! Learned some stuff. Thx!

As a quick anecdote, DO NOT mess with Disney; they are vicious protectors of their IP. I had a friend who wrote an entire concert band arrangement of a Disney song, which was used for a U.S. Army Band concert. He was so proud of his arrangement, that he reached out to Disney. Their response was to use lawfare. Disney demanded not only a complete cease and desist, they demanded all his files and works to be destroyed. They didn’t care that it was for Army Band use, which is a free paid for public service.

So if you cover any of those wonderful, iconic Sherman Brothers songs, make sure you do everything completely legit.

Even Lee Greenwood went after military bands for using “God Bless the USA” without permission and compensation. Looking back on it now, I support that decision. Uncle Sam got lots of money, Military Bands can afford to pay for proper licensing and use.

[Pete Martin]

A lawyer told me many moons ago (don’t know if this has changed) that chord progressions and improvised solos are not subject to copyright, but melodies are.

Something to think about when publishing and recording. When I’ve wanted to record a specific tune, I write a different head. And of course make it so unmelodic that no one will like it (like all my bebop idols).