How do I get permission to arrange "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones
I am a high school student in America who wants to arrange a marching band version of this song so I can post it on here legally. I have traced the printing rights (whatever that means) to Alfred music. Is there any way someone who is not a professional composer/who doesn't lead a band to obtain a license to arrange "Paint it, Black"?
Comments
Write to "Alfred Music" if they hold the copyright and get a licence from them in writing before making any arrangement. They may charge a fee for this and set whatever restrictive terms they like. Copyright terms only seem to work one-way in favour of the holder, with no consideration of the public interest.
Although “copyright law” perceives no “public interest” whatsoever in favor of opening statutory holes in the rights of copyright owners, it does open the way for the aforesaid copyright owners to possess discretion in such matters.
The unfortunately-critical portion of your request is: “to post it here.”
Their (legitimate) concern will be: “if we grant this high school student’s request, what will happen in the decades to come to the thing that he has produced? Might 10,000 future marching bands now be able to [or, suppose that they are able to ...] perform our Rolling Stones song for free?”
Based upon the aforesaid argument, I therefore consider it rather improbable that your request would be granted. Whereas, if you had said that you only intended to use your arrangement for your own band, during your present school year, you probably would get a gratuitous (“who really cares, really? ...”) green-light.
(“Believe it or not, dear high-school student, the time will come when “you, God willing, are more-than sixty.” (koff, koff ...) Copyright holders are required to think more-than that far ahead, in the decisions that they must make today.)
“To arrange it ...?” Yes, a high-school student could get permission.
“To arrange it and p-o-s-t it ??” Aye, that is a very different thing . . .