Question That I Need Answered

[Cheshire_Buddha]

I was in a band about a year ago, and me and the other guitarist wrote some songs. I was about to get kicked out of it, so I left the band before they could kick me (and with that, the lead guitarist quit as well). They played a show a couple of days ago, and used one of the songs that me and him made up whilst in the band, with only a simple minor change in the lead riff in the chorus. I don't mind it that they used our song, but I'm just going to ask this question:

In case they don't get us writing credits to that song, what should me and the other guitarist do? I have no beef with the band or the members, but me and the other guitarist would just like writing credits. I asked them to give us credits (just put a comment on MySpace now), so I'm only asking this question in advance in case they won't follow suit.

[thatwasamoment]

if the song sucks, then fuck it. if its good, then you deserve some credit, i suppose.

[Cheshire_Buddha]

if the song sucks, then fuck it. if its good, then you deserve some credit, i suppose.

It doesn't really matter to me if the song is bad or good, that's all a person's own opinion anyway. Me and the other guitarist just want credit for it since we were the ones that created it. I asked them last night if we could get writing credits for it, but I think they just got rid of my comment (they filter out any 'hateful' comments, though mine wasn't) without paying much attention because I haven't heard anything from them.

[the_champ_is_here]

it's your song, tell them not to play it

[Little Jeans]

I have a similar situation, me and my friend wrote some songs and he plays them with his band. I want credit when they put out thier CD but Ill get it because my best friend is in the band. I also play a song that he wrote when ever I play shows. I dont really have much advice for you though. maybe record the song your selves and copyright it before they do or try calling them and asking them to give you your credit.

where do you want them to credit you like when they play? or on thier myspace?

[patrickhowell]

Legally, if you wrote the song then you own the Copyrights, therefore you have the right to ask for credit. However, you probably don't have any legitimate Proof Of Copyright, so it's probably futile to fight for the credit you deserve.

If they give you credit on their MySpace, then good for you. But if they don't then don't make a big fuss over it. It's not the end of the world, and you can still feel good about yourself for writing a song that you're proud of.

[Cheshire_Buddha]

Crediting us on our MySpace would be fine, since they have that song up for play right now. It's not really bothering me THAT much, it's just that I thought it was pretty clear that they were going to start over with a new slate because they said they didn't want to play the kind of music we made during the time I was in the band, and then they play the one song that stood out the most (an undeniably poppy song).

Sadly, I don't have a legitimate Proof of Copyright. The only thing I have of the song in question is on a demo disc we made in the practice space we played in, and since it has no vocals on it, I highly doubt I could really fight for it. I don't want to go out and SUE them, though. I have no beefs with the band (I've known the bassist for a long time, even played softball with him when we were in school), I kind of just want a credit on it.

I plan on taking the main part of the song that I wrote (the chorus) and placing the rhythm section to one of my own songs, but changing the key. The other guitarist who left the band wrote the other parts to the song, so they aren't exactly mind. I do plan on using the chorus in a different key in a future song I make.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

[addict.addicts.]

okay, if you have a recording, anything, it being the guitars and bass or just the guitars with rhythm and lead on a c.d. or cassete then get it in a case, put your lyrics and the c.d. in an envelope and mail it to yourself. never open it because when you mail it to yourself then they put a government seal on the envelope and then they send it, thus having a government approved date and time, thus giving you full proof if this ever got escalated.

my friend did it in a law suit against an old band he was in. and he got all the collections ( money etc. ) and he got writes on the song.

just a cheap way to copyright your shit.

[Cheshire_Buddha]

okay, if you have a recording, anything, it being the guitars and bass or just the guitars with rhythm and lead on a c.d. or cassete then get it in a case, put your lyrics and the c.d. in an envelope and mail it to yourself. never open it because when you mail it to yourself then they put a government seal on the envelope and then they send it, thus having a government approved date and time, thus giving you full proof if this ever got escalated.

my friend did it in a law suit against an old band he was in. and he got all the collections ( money etc. ) and he got writes on the song.

just a cheap way to copyright your shit.

Thanks for the advice, I just might do that.