Legal Question in Entertainment Law in Hawaii

Re: Cover band issues

Now, do we have to get licenses to any of the songs we cover? - Yes, public perormance is a right under copyright. Contact ASCAP or BMI. Making copies is another right protected under copyright. With respect to the latter, you don't need permission but you will have to pay a compulsory royalty to the copyright owners of the song. You can find out who they are at ASCAP.com or BMI.com, maybe SESAC.com too.

Or would crediting the original artist/arranger/writer/etc on the CD sleeves be fine? - Nope

Do we also have to get licenses for performances that use any of the original choreography? - Uh, I thought these were CDs. If you're talking about performing, the law is very unsettled on protecting choreographic works. Legally, they are protectible, but to bring a lawsuit and recover statutory damages, the registration would have to be filed before the infringement. Few cases have been brought. In a risk-reward analysis you'd have to decide whether James Brown's skating across the stage is different from Mick Jagger's. Why don't you just modify it a bit.

And will the name of the band have to be copy-righted? - If you're talking about your band, you can't copyright the name. You may be able to secure a trademark, however.

Re: Cover band issues

Yes you need permission and to what degree you want to protect the band name depends on you. My firm focuses on Internet, media and entertainment law.