[PLEASE read] Cover vs. Sample vs. Ripoff

[Delirium-Zer0]

With the recent "In The Corner" cover and micster's discovery of the song "Startin'" by another artist, and past discussions over misunderstandings regarding these terms, I think the time has come for it to be brought up.

Cover Song: A song is a cover version if it has ALL the same melody, but it can be a different arrangement or different (i.e. translated) lyrics. The title is sometimes different between languages. For it to be really considered a cover, credit MUST be given in the booklet to the original songwriter(s), but not necessarily the original artist or performers. Usually the new artist pays the original songwriter, but sometimes with the promise of credit (as among singers & songwriters who are friends), payment is not necessary except in the form of residuals anytime the new song's record is sold.
Examples:
-"SEASONS" by Tata Vega (cover of "SEASONS" by ayumi hamasaki)
-"In The Corner" by Ayumi Hamasaki (cover of "In The Corner" by Sweetbox)
-"Sukiyaki" by A Taste Of Honey (cover of "ue o muite arukou" by Kyu Sakamoto)
-"Memorial address" by Ayumi Hamasaki (cover of "kumo" by LOVER SOUND TRACK)

Sample: A song contains a sample if PART of the original recording, lyrics, or other elements are used in the song. For it to be really considered a sample, credit MUST be given in the booklet to the original songwriters, and if a sample of the original recording is used, credit must be given to the original artist, producer, and publisher. It must be noted in some way that the record label is paying the original label (stating licensing or permission). This is not necessary if the sample is from an open domain or traditional piece of music (i.e. "oborozukiyo", "Home On the Range", any classical piece, etc.)
Example:
-from your letter "DJ HASEBE REMIX" by Ayumi Hamasaki contains a sample from "BABY I LOVE YOU" (Thom Bell - William Hart)
Published by Nickel Shoe Music Co., Inc., Administered by Ocean Drive
Music (BMI), A Division of Brookside Music Corp./Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp. (BMI)/Wadud Music (BMI), as recorded by the
Delfonics (Philly Groove Records single #162). Under license from
Arista Records, Inc.

Ripoff: In these cases (all too common), there is a sample, arrangement, or set of lyrics from another piece of music, used by an artist with little or no regard on text for the intellectual rights of the original writer or performer. No credit is given in the booklet, no royalties are paid to the original artist.
-"ANOTHER WORLD" by Gackt is a ripoff of "Three Small Words" by Josie & The Pussycats
-The introductory string section of "Free & Easy" by Ayumi Hamasaki is a ripoff of "No Amen" by Eric Serra

One last one...
Parody: If an artist's purpose is to satirize ANY piece of art (logo, song, painting), they are protected (at least in the USA) by fair use under free speech. You can use an original melody & arrangement if your purpose is to be funny.
Example: Anything by "Weird" Al Yankovic.

I REALLY hope this clears things up. If credit is given, it's not theft, it's not stealing, it's okay. A sample is legal if credit is given in the booklet. If not, it's a ripoff.

One last thing... Alot of ayu's song titles have been used by other artists before. ALOT of them. Don't assume that a song is a cover from the title.

[elepop]

Thank you for this, I think it's really important to understand those terms!

[Raleigh]

Great. This is really useful for all of us I'm sure.

[Mirai Noah]

Thank you for clearing up the terms!

Another parody is the BOSS theme song

[Delirium-Zer0]

Bingo! ^_^

Hmm...
So i'm confused...
Songs like Startin', and In the corner are exactly the same songs by the previous artist or just used the same Melody?
Are you saying Ayu is starting to sing songs that she DIDN'T write? Thats what i'm confused about, because i know she did not write teens, and i heard she also didn't write startin'....wtf?
If she's starting to not sing her own songs....

[HanabiChick]

Thanks for the info, some of the terms I knew, but the others I wasn't clear on.

[sexysaucestar]

This is a good guide--thanks for sharing and clearing things up (I think I brought up part of the confusion as well ^^;; )

[Indie]

Originally Posted by Ayumi no Yume

Hmm...
So i'm confused...
Songs like Startin', and In the corner are exactly the same songs by the previous artist or just used the same Melody?
Are you saying Ayu is starting to sing songs that she DIDN'T write? Thats what i'm confused about, because i know she did not write teens, and i heard she also didn't write startin'....wtf?
If she's starting to not sing her own songs....

well, teens is supposed to be in a TRF album where many artists are singin THEIR songs, it would be weird if ayu changed the song lyrics

[ohsixthirty]

thanks for clarifying this. it should be required reading for every member of ahs! lol.

[hallelujah_united]

Yup, that helps in clearing everything up. Thanks!

[Mad_Cactuar]

Oh great guide! I didn't know a rip-off was actually the same, but without credits. I thought rip-offs were something else. xD

I love samples..

[walking proud]

Originally Posted by touchedstar

thanks for clarifying this. it should be required reading for every member of ahs! lol.

That's going a bit far, but yeah, it was helpful. I was a bit confused about all the talk of Ayu covering songs, so I wanted to know which songs and such. I wasn't confused about the actual concept but either way it helps.

[andre2907]

You always does informative/interesting posts. Thanks for that.

[Sweer]

good thing you cleared that up
this will hopefully prevent some harsh unnecessary quarrels

[Delirium-Zer0]

I'm thinking of doing a "difference between b-side, c/w song, and second a-side" thread next x-X!! (the short & sweet of it is that there isn't one )

[JesA]

*listens to Three Small Worlds by Josie and the Pussycats* WOA its like the same! i cant find No Amen by Eric serra though.....oh well....*crap i love listening to that string intro*

[xiaou-xijiang]

oh, wow...thx for the info, it clears up quite a few thngs.

[CREA.tive]

thnx for clearing all those terms