Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'

Subject: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Feb 25 - 09:48 AM

I am trying to find any copyright restrictions on "Shantyman" by Bob Watson. His website and email both seem to be out of action.

I'd be grateful if anyone knows how to get in touch with him or whoever owns the copyright.

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Feb 25 - 03:46 PM

Try this as an email address: [e-mail]

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Feb 25 - 06:37 PM

Thanks, I will try that.

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 25 - 08:33 PM

Bob Watson is an excellent person and we did get to raise a glass or two with him in one of our visits to England. Nice to meet folks in three dimensions.

Songs of Bob's that I've recorded include "Neptune's Daughter," "Tasman Buster," and "Mollymauk."

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: G-Force
Date: 01 Mar 25 - 03:49 AM

The song was used in the film Fishermen's Friends, and credited to Bob Watson. I presume copyright issues would have been sorted out.

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: DMcG
Date: 11 Mar 25 - 12:25 PM

Thanks to Charley Noble, I have now had a response from Bob.

As he says in his email to me, "Copyright is a multifaceted -- and at times a complex – concept, often overlaid by variable and conflicting opinions." So while I am sure Fisherman's Friends sorted out everything they needed for the film, it would be a mistake to think it was no longer under copyright restrictions for anyone else.

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 11 Mar 25 - 01:29 PM

For what purpose? If it's simply for performing in public, the copyright is dealt with through the licence fee paid to the rights management organisation, which in the UK is PRS. A performer doesn't have to worry about copyright.

If it's for a recording, then again it is usually handled by a rights organisation. In the UK this is MCPS. You submit a list of all the tracks and they work out a royalty fee for those which are copyright and give you a licence. The factory won't press the CD without this.

Digital releases are a bit different but there are licence arrangements for most situations.

Of course not all composers belong to PRS/MCPS and you may have to negotiate direct with the rights holder. In this case, since the song has been used in a film I would guess that the rights holder (who may not be the original composer) is probably a member.

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: GUEST,James E
Date: 14 Mar 25 - 01:49 PM

I just had a look on the PRS database, and Shanty Man by "Watson, Bob" was registered there in 2002. Which means that as Howard Jones said above, it's 100% fine to sing live or on record as long as the relevant PRS/MCPS licences are in place, without any other restrictions or permissions.

Subject: RE: Copyright for Bob Watson's 'Shantyman'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Mar 25 - 03:18 PM

Glad to have been of assistance.