Como lançar legalmente um remix de uma música

But when it comes to the legal stuff, you need to make sure you’re doing everything by the book. Especially when it involves the use of someone else’s intellectual property. So here’s how to release your next awesome remix without getting - you know – sued.

Release a remix legally: What you need to know!

So what is a remix?

‍Well, by definition:

"A remix is sound recording that has been edited or 're-worked' to sound different from the original song."

‍

Unlike a cover, a remix differs in that it uses the original recording, and is not just a re-creation of it.

This means to release a remix legally, you must seek copyright permission from the original artist or band who created the song you want to remix.  

Music remix music copyright law explained

I know copyright can be a tricky (and pretty boring) subject.

But if you’re looking to release your own remix, it’s really important to have a grasp of the associated copyright and legalities.

So let’s break it down.

Any track that you want to remix, is made up of 2 types of copyrights:

1. The master recording

2. The song copyright (the actual written composition and lyrics)

The master recording rights are usually held by the original artist of the track, while the song copyright is usually held by a music publisher.

Now the reason the whole copyright spiel matters, is because a remix is considered a derivative of the original work.

I know what you’re thinking – “a ‘derivative’ what?”

Basically a derivative just means an altered or edited version of the original song or music.

And if you know anything about music copyright law, you’ll know it very heavily stipulates:

‍

The owner of the original work holds all rights to the publication, distribution and sales of the work, making any derivative versions of it – illegitimate.

‍

In simple terms, you can only release or publicise a remix you’ve made, if the copyright holder has granted you the rights to do so.  

If you’re not looking to actually publicise or monetise your remix, then it’s all fair game to go ahead and start mixing without any legal permission or licensing. What’s legally known as fair use policy.

But for independent artists who want to get their music out there, make a name for themselves and earn a living from their craft, the fair use policy probably won’t apply. Which means further actions must be taken.

What’s the deal with the deal?

Remix licensing usually works using a ‘work-for-hire’ based contract: this means the copyright of the remix master (and the original song within it) will both be owned by the original artist.

When you release a remix, the royalty split will be between all the rights holders – so that’s the artist, music publisher and you.

To keep things financially simple, the original artist will usually pay a DJ an upfront one-time flat fee for a remix, in exchange for the licensing contract.

The rate of the flat fee is very much dependent on the popularity of the artist in question, but on average they can range anywhere from $100 - $20,000.  

If you’ve opted against a flat fee you can instead divvy up the earnings through a royalty sharing agreement. But beware, these can be a bit nightmarish in terms of accounting. So make sure you’re registered with the appropriate performance rights organisations so you get all the royalties owed to you from the remix.

Usually, the royalties generated from the remix master are split down the middle, between artist and remixer. The original artist gets 50% of the royalties, while the artist who releases the remix (in this case – you) gets the other 50% of the earnings.

But like the flat flee, this is negotiable caste to case, and will be outlined in the licensing arrangement.

How to get permission to remix a track

To remix a song legally, you’ll have to get permission to use the song from the original songwriter(s), publisher(s) and owner(s) of the song recording. This is the best route to avoid any legal trouble.

1. Search for the track on Spotify

First, you need to find out who the copyright owner of the song is. For example, the song may be owned by multiple songwriters, and you’ll need permission from each of them before you can do any mixing of the sorts.

If you don’t already know who owns it, locate the track on Spotify. You’ll be able to tell from here whether the original artist is signed to a label or whether they’re working independently via a music distributer.

2. Find the artist’s contact details

Once you’ve found out who the rights-holder(s) are, try and contact them directly.

Usually the artist (or label) will have contact details on their official website or in their SoundCloud description.

Ideally you’re looking for an email address of the artist or an A&R manager if they’re signed to a specific label.

If they’re a more well-known and established artist, direct contact may not be the best way to approach this.

Instead, it may prove better to find the artist or songwriter music publisher or collection society and get in contact with them to seek permission to use the artist’s music.

3. Send them a strong pitch

A strong remix pitch is a value proposition to both the label and the original artist.

Remember - there’s value to be gained for both parties in terms of royalties cash-ins.

So when it comes to writing and sending the actual email, the key is to simply be clear and forthcoming. By seeking permission to remix their music, you’re asking them for a favour.

So be upfront and honest about what you want – but also confident in your own ability.

A strong remix pitch might read something like the below email template:

If you don’t have a previous release that did well, substitute it with another success story of yours. And if you don’t have that, just leave it out altogether.

But do make sure you’ve included a link to either your Spotify, SoundCloud or another music platform they can check you out on.

What if they say “No.”?

If an artist doesn’t vibe with your remix or they don’t wanna release their stems, then simply move on brother.

There’s no point wasting valuable creative time trying to bargain with an artist who just isn’t interested. Not when there’ll be another who is.

Lembre-se — é a aprovação do detentor dos direitos que importa. Portanto, mesmo que um artista contratado tenha concedido a maioria de seus direitos a uma gravadora (boo), ele geralmente ainda pode conceder aprovações para remixes e uploads, sem o conhecimento da gravadora (woo).

Mas digamos que tanto a gravadora quanto o artista digam não - você pode ficar tentado a fazer o upload de qualquer maneira - mas é altamente recomendável não fazer isso

O ganho potencial que você poderia obter ao liberar um 'remix pirate' é mais frequentemente superado pelos riscos associados (a menos que você tenha a mesma sorte que Kygo).

Embora o contrabando tenha definitivamente atingido seu apogeu, hoje as plataformas têm impressões digitais de áudio muito mais desenvolvidas. Ou seja, as chances de sua versão pirata da última faixa de Ed Sheeran ser publicada são alto.

Além disso, você terá que transferir cada centavo ganho atrás para o artista original.

Benefícios de obter permissão:

- Seu remix será vendável: isso significa que você pode carregá-lo, divulgá-lo e compartilhá-lo em suas próprias contas e ganhar dinheiro com isso, sem medo de ser retirado por violação de direitos autorais.

- Você pode ser fornecido com hastes da pista: isso oferece muito mais flexibilidade e liberdade criativa ao realmente fazer a mixagem.

Remixes somente para redes sociais

Mas nem tudo pode estar perdido!

Muitas vezes, um artista original só aceita um contrato de remix se gostar do próprio remix - o que significa que a maioria dos remixes só será aceita em um 'base especulativa'.

Isso pode dificultar a hora de pedir permissão, já que alguns artistas podem simplesmente não gostar da sua versão e dizer “Não”.

Mas, embora um artista possa não gostar muito do remix que você fez para ele “de acordo com as especificações”, você ainda pode obter permissão de upload para o YouTube e o SoundCloud — o que é conhecido como 'remixes somente sociais'.

Se você solicitar educadamente o uso da música apenas para uso social e não para um lançamento oficial, há uma chance de o artista permitir. Você só precisa esclarecer por escrito que seria apenas para uso não comercial.

E quanto às apresentações públicas ou ao vivo de um remix?

Se você planeja tocar os decks de DJ na sexta à noite com seu último remix, um licença de desempenho normalmente será necessário.

No entanto, geralmente é responsabilidade dos proprietários do bar e/ou clube pagar por essas licenças, não músicos.

Mesmo assim, certifique-se de verificar a situação dos direitos de desempenho com o local em que você está se apresentando antes você começa a perder qualquer batida, para evitar problemas legais.

Lançar um remix pode ser uma ótima estratégia para novos públicos ouvirem sua música. No entanto — não ignore os procedimentos legais para esse tipo de liberação. As informações contidas nesta postagem o manterão informado e fora de qualquer situação legal complicada!