[comedyox]

Hello,

I've written music for a poem by a 20th century poet whose work is almost definitely still protected by copyright.  I have recorded a demo of me playing and singing it and I am hoping now to get a notable singer to want to record it with my music.

Let's say, for example that...I dunno...Seal is interested.  Do I get paid for my music and how does that work?  Presumably Seal will be responsible for whatever payments are due to the poet but what am I entitled to if anything?

Thanks very much for any help you can offer,

Cheers,
.pd.

[S.T.C]

http://www.askamusiclawyer.com/archive/can-i-use-a-poem-as-the-lyrics-for-my-song.html

[comedyox]

That's great - thanks so much! 

[Boydie]

That is definitely a useful link

I would add that it is completely down to YOU to resolve the copyright issues BEFORE you even consider pitching the song for artists

You would not be popular submitting a song you did not hold the full copyright for (whether this is complete lyrics or samples)

You could try to contact the poet (or copyright holder) but I think you would be far better off re-writing the lyrics (or finding a lyricist to collaborate with - there are plenty of gooduns on this very forum

Good luck