Dear John, and Bob.
What Bob is doing is not illegal.
At least, the question to my pro on the subject said, anybody can sing anything in venues such as pubs and clubs.
PRO membrs are asked to fill in the playlist down here at least, so the dues can be distributed to the writer. If they are pro members, and have registered the song with their pro.
My original ask to my pro way back when I first joined re covers, and in particular parodies as i do hhave a few of these, was I could mess with the words as much as I like live, but I had to playlist the song as the original.
And I did on the only one I ever did at anything other than a private party.
Now. My second ask tells me there is no way legally or otherwise to enforce the do the playlist thing , so what Bob and othres are doing is not illegal. Down here at least.
If anybody knows of it beung against the law anywhere else, plesae show us the fact. nothing but the fact and so, maybe contribute toward all out thinking on this one.
I no longer do parodies as I decided the words were the best part of them so gave all mine their own tunes and do them a la all my own work. And get my two bucks.
Starting off as a parody is still a fun way to jump start a song though.
And I missed a point. The artist does not have to be paid for the performance for it to be eligble for royalties.
Just that it is played in a venue deamed as coming under the PRO imposed banner.
Sing for tips artists and open mike folks her at least can submit any songs they do and the writer, be it them or some one else will get their dues.
Graham

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[This message has been edited by Graham (edited 01-04-2004).]

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