| Once a song has been copyrighted (or registered) can anyone record a version of it as long as they pay the royalties? Or does permission have to be given by the authors (or holders of the copyright)?
In last month's Mojo there's mention that Kevin Rowland was denied permission to issue a version of Springsteen's Thunder Road. But the Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy had approval to include their version on their new covers album.
How does it work? Surely the owners of the copyright don't want to listen to every would-be cover version before granting approvals? | 
