Copyright and ISWC

I have a couple of open submissions of recordings by Izzy Cox.

The Harlan Howard song Busted - https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/108976

And Hank Williams I'm so Lonesome I could cry - https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/121244

Both clearly covers and the Hank Williams song is announced as such.

But both are registered as original copyrights by Isabelle Cox with ISWC - T-913.414.728-7 and T-913.414.734-5.

So, arguably and legally, they are not covers but originals.

My head aches.

The existence of a second registration/copyright for a song does not necessarily imply there is a new song or even an adaptation. Listening to Busted by Izzy Cox makes it clear that it is a cover.

But both are registered as original copyrights by Isabelle Cox with ISWC - T-913.414.728-7 and T-913.414.734-5.

Doesn't make any sense, this is clearly a mistake. Voluntary or unvoluntary, I have no idea.

You could mention it in your submission, just to be complete.

Update: I sent ISWC an email to ask for more information, let's see if they reply.

But, but but....

When the history of the work doesn't correspond with the credits in the PRO databases ... Set the credits as in the PRO database

https://secondhandsongs.com/page/Guidelines/UseOfSources/SourcesCredits

Quote from Bastien

But both are registered as original copyrights by Isabelle Cox with ISWC - T-913.414.728-7 and T-913.414.734-5.

Doesn't make any sense, this is clearly a mistake. Voluntary or unvoluntary, I have no idea.

You could mention it in your submission, just to be complete.

Update: I sent ISWC an email to ask for more information, let's see if they reply.

ISWC won't do anything as they get their data from the various PROs. In this case you want to contact SOCAN.

I don't know all the current details regarding registration of songs with the Library of Congress and the various PROS but in the past there have been many cases where these registrations do not involve new creative input regarding lyrics or music. Here are two reasons for this.

(1) The copyright/registration may be for an arrangement - not a new song or adaptation.

(2) It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the details regarding the intellectual property. Often these details are false. This is especially true with older songs where the writers and composers are deceased or unknown. Sometimes this results in court cases that keep copyright lawyers busy and wealthy.

Last edit: 2022-06-16 15:16:29 UTC by SlimD

Got a very interesting reply from SOCAN regarding the Busted & Lonesome case:

The works were registered by the member. It is not a common situation since most of our members do know that they do not register covers with SOCAN. Since our member do not submit the audio file, we have no way of knowing if the new registration is a cover. Some of our members are unaware that they are not supposed to register covers. You can try to contact her and ask her to remove the work from her catalogue.