Highjacking Songs (Song Rewrites)

[RonKujawa]

I completely agree with Allen's comments about our songs getting better as we open ourselves to constructive criticism on this forum. That's a risk I'm more than willing to take.

Something else came to mind reading this thread... I recently purchased Master Writer software to help with my lyric writing. I won't go into all the features and whatnot, but you can seek that out if you wish. The reason I bring it up is one particular feature they have called SongGuard. They run their own server that you can upload your lyrics and/or song recordings to. The service is included in the price of the software. It's a sort of poor man's copyright, since it will provide a time stamp for creation. I'm sure it's not as secure as US copyright registration, but if you have the software, it's free and far more convenient. For what it's worth, the makers of Master Writer claim they have yet to be involved in a legal case, which tells me two things. 1. We don't know how effective this service will be if needed, and 2. it's evidence that song stealing is very rare among users of the service.

Ron

[Casey H]

Speaking as a non-lawyer...

**IF** you are really concerned about some pirating your work and having legal recourse, file with US Copyright office. There's no point in any type of Poor Man's copyright since, to the best of my knowledge, nothing else has ever been accepted in a real legal challenge.

The "if" above is important. If you are concerned, do it right or don't bother.

Conventional advice is file copyright registrations before pitching your music. Taxi recommends that as well.

And remember.... Your song sitting on a CD on your desk or as a file on your computer has ZERO chance of getting stolen but also ZERO change of getting placed. Your song being pitched to libraries, A&R folks, publishers, etc. has at least some chance of placement accompanied by a .00000001% chance of getting ripped off. Which seems more attractive?

Casey

[rnrmachine]

Hallelujah rnrmachine!

That's a pretty explination and I dearly appreciate the imput you just gave me. I did recieve a hostile e-mail I believe from Craig, but he didn't get where I was coming from and I appoligize to him for being parinoid as he put it. I'm sorry for being an insecure artist, but thats how we are because it adds to our creativity. I probably put the scootch to myself now and I could be fluffed off for being a trouble maker, but I'll hang in there and pray someone will except some of my songs. I've been writing since I was sixteen and I can assure Taxi or anyone interested I can write a hit song. In fact, if you listen to the songs posted on my home page, you'll notice I don't write any one song the same, which allows me more of a field to market my music. I don't know what you mean by libraries, but apparently-like you said-they shelve the material until its time to pitch the song to the right artist that matches their style of music. They were doing that at Acuff and Rose (Now Sony Corp) when I was in Nashville. Not knowing anything about Taxi and it's business practices, which by the way resemble a scam, I had to test the waters. Then again, I don't want Taxi to get upset with my terminology, because they're not really a con game or they wouldn't be rated by the BBB. So don't get your dander up Craig, I'm truely a good egg that sometimes gets stupid, but I feel some of my concerns are legit and rnrmachine pretty well addressed them.

Good Luck My Brothers In Song!

You have to understand this about others on the forum AND about Craig, they all know Taxi has been a good thing for them. Joining the forum, being too skeptical, looks like you are flaming Taxi. Don't worry though, you're not the only one that has had these thoughts and made some comments. IF there's a chance for something wrong, my "conspiracy theory" brain will think it up haha. I'm not as bad as thinking the USA was never on the moon though lol. I'm a "factual conspiracy theorist" imho.

Another thing... as I got to know Micheal through Taxi TV... he can't hide his true personality there. He is who he is and it shows... that guy is one SMART cooky when it comes to music. Smarter than most on this forum imho. He "gets" things others don't... I just wish Micheal screened all my stuff, but sadly he can't do it all so he has to hire folks, most of which have very good credentials. Most of my returns were spot on though, so imho, most of the screeners are VERY capable. If you were a Taxi member, watching, speculating, and being as suspicious as I have, for as long as I have, you would feel that Taxi is the real deal.

Be ready for disappointment though, the bar is very high on MANY listings. There are VERY talented musician's belonging to Taxi. Not to mention, some of the lyricist's went to college for journalism, songwriting, etc... so being a decent poetry writer, or decent song writer in a small town, means that most likely, you will be one of the worst here haha. You'll find you have to hone your craft if you want to even come close to getting a forward, let alone any deal. But you were in Nashville, so you'll probably be a wise talent and a handy collaborator if you choose to do something like that.

Just remember this... Taxi is rooting for ya.. they want you to succeed, because the more members that succeed through Taxi, the better they look!!! So don't get mad at Taxi if ya get return after return. It's a tough business to crack into and if you were in Nashville, you already know this. Taxi needs to send only the best on most listings.

I have had success elsewhere, but for me, having success through Taxi is like winning Olympic gold. They are tough, but very helpful... Think of Taxi as the coach. Would you want the coach to put you into the games if you will just embarrass yourself and Taxi in the process... God knows I don't... keep me on the bench, keep helping me hone my craft and when I'll make us both look good... AND I pick the right listing with the right song HAHA... then put me in!!! hehe

One more thing... if someone is inspired by you and writes a song a lot like yours... how far is it before it's theft and just inspired by... it's a thin line. I remember this one band wrote a song and my drummer and Bass guitar player came to me saying, they ripped off your song "Victory" so I listened... they hadn't ripped it off at all... it was "inspired by" and I felt good about it!!!

So.. to one man it may be theft, to another it's just a compliment. (I still thought my song was better haha)

Anyway, take care, and keep in mind people will try to rip you off nm where you go... reason they make locks for everything haha.

This is SO true...

...And remember.... Your song sitting on a CD on your desk or as a file on your computer has ZERO chance of getting stolen but also ZERO change of getting placed. Your song being pitched to libraries, A&R folks, publishers, etc. has at least some chance of placement accompanied by a .00000001% chance of getting ripped off. Which seems more attractive?

Casey

[rpezzo51]

Hey rnrmachine!

Do you need some lyrics for your music. I happened to go onto your home page and listen to your music, which is pretty good. In fact it rocks out!
Adding lyrics to your music would be fun and possibly give you a joggernaut hit. What do ya think about that my informative friend?

Rock On!!!!!!
Bob

[rnrmachine]

Hey rnrmachine!

Do you need some lyrics for your music. I happened to go onto your home page and listen to your music, which is pretty good. In fact it rocks out!
Adding lyrics to your music would be fun and possibly give you a joggernaut hit. What do ya think about that my informative friend?

Rock On!!!!!!
Bob

I have a lot of "partly done" set of lyrics to most songs haha. I'd be happy to co-write some stuff. I have a lot more work not on my page.

[rpezzo51]

Sounds good. Tell me which songs your stuck on and I'll have to listen to the music on your homepage to add the lyrics. Then I'll need some way to get them to you. From what I've heard your music is pretty solid.

[davekershaw]

I had a BIG signing recently with a song called "I think about you way too much". One of those songs you just wake up singing and wonder where it came from. So easy to write. I love it when that happens!

[Casey H]

I had a BIG signing recently with a song called "I think about you way too much". One of those songs you just wake up singing and wonder where it came from. So easy to write. I love it when that happens!

Expect your mother-in-law to show up with lots of suitcases, Dave. She's moving in.

Casey

[davekershaw]

Expect your mother-in-law to show up with lots of suitcases, Dave. She's moving in.

Casey

Actually - and this is true - she flew to Spain on holiday yesterday, and talking of hijacking, guess what I was praying for!
I keep watching the news in dread, and my worst fears are confirmed ... there's been no mention of one!!

All is not lost though. There's still the return flight!

[Casey H]

Expect your mother-in-law to show up with lots of suitcases, Dave. She's moving in.

Casey

Actually - and this is true - she flew to Spain on holiday yesterday, and talking of hijacking, guess what I was praying for!
I keep watching the news in dread, and my worst fears are confirmed ... there's been no mention of one!!

All is not lost though. There's still the return flight!

If it were MY mother-in-law, the hijackers would be paying ME to take her back!

Casey