HELP! Copyright Problem! Copyright office e-mailed me! :(

[abtwilley]

http://www.fairwagelawyers.com/most-fam ... gment.html

Here are some cases on infringement. I am a retired attorney. IMHO (for what it's worth), ever since "My Sweet Lord", there have been cases where very little of the original song is lifted. But as MoJO and others have said, you don't need a whole lot if the underlying tune was (is ) a hit. I'd go for the rewrites.

Steve

[suezq]

Thanks, counselor. I do plan to do a little re-writing on those two.

It's a shame that there is not a way to "check" these kinds of things BEFORE you pay the money for the copyright.

After I do the rewrite and send them in again, who is to say that THEY, TOO will not trigger some type of audio red flags? ....

More money could be lost once again.

Thanks again! I appreciate your opinion!

Sue (and McMeow!)

[mojobone]

There's an app called Shazam!, probably similar to what you already have, but may not be as accurate when simply humming; it's designed to recognize the actual track, not just similar melodies. There are some software engines that are designed specifically for that, they're getting better all the time.

[suezq]

Thanks, mojo! I've got Shazam on my iPhone, too. If you can think of any other software programs that I don't know of, let me know

[suezq]

UPDATE!!! First of all, I have NO copyright problems!
I have not written back here lately, as I have been REALLY BUSY with this project!

1. Regarding my rap song, "Don't Touch Them," the man at the US Copyright Office said that after a second listen, he thought my song was fine,
and that I was NOT infringing on anyone's previous copyrights! YEA!

2. I totally re-wrote "Johnny Was a Jerk," and it sounds super! So I am NOT infringing on a copyright there!

Better yet, check out this website: http://www.mcmeowthecrimekitty.com

McMeow's CD is now also on iTunes and CD Baby! Woohoo!

She's also on Facebook and Twitter!

Now .... I only have about 10 or 12 more kids' albums to re-master and release!

I'm doing my first McMeow show at a school on Monday!