Using a riff from a song

[GeniusJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I am a musician who is working on a children's album. I want to do a version of a traditional children's song ("Rock a Bye Baby"), and I've composed it in such a way as to have an added bridge with new lyrics, and it opens with the opening riff and bass line from The Beatles' "Obladi Oblada".

I want to protect myself and make sure I am doing everything above board legally. I believe "Rock a Bye Baby" is in the public domain, or at least I think it is. But as for "Obladi Oblada", I intend to license it through HFA (www.harryfox.com). According to their publicly searchable database, the song *is* represented by HFA which means I can license it through them.

So my question is this: If I license "Obladi Oblada" for distribution, as per the fees and agreements through HFA, does that cover me for borrowing a riff and bassline for the song in my cover of the public domain song? Am I doing everything right here as far as royalties go?

Should I credit the song writing as "Traditional, arranged by <my name>, with portions by Lennon-McCartney"?

Advice would be helpful. Thank you!

 

[justalayman]

I cannot answer your question but in you might try PM'ing a poster that would probably be able to give you an answer:

divgradcurl is his screen name and this stuff seems to be his cup 'o tea.

 

[FlyingRon]

Harry Fox won't license you for this. They only do the compulsory mechanical license (for publishers they represent). This allows you to do record your own covers of a song, but changing into a different form needs to be specifically negotiated from Apple music or whoever has the publishing rights to that song.

 

[frogdude98]

As far as I know, actual riffs cannot be copyrighted.. Remember Vanilla Ice and "Under Pressure"? They are the same song. I think its only the lyrics, but don't quote me.

 

[cyjeff]

Men at Work just lost a major million dollar lawsuit THIS week that their number one song "Down Under" infringed on "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree". That song came out in 1983.

Men at Work loses first stage of copyright lawsuit

I would tread VERY carefully.... the Beatles have MUCH better lawyers.

Yes, I know that is Australia... but worth thinking about.

 

[justalayman]

As far as I know, actual riffs cannot be copyrighted.. Remember Vanilla Ice and "Under Pressure"? They are the same song. I think its only the lyrics, but don't quote me.

yes I do and when Bowie threatened to sue, an out of court settlement is believed to have been reached.

Yes, you can copyright riffs. Sampling is illegal without a license.