Typically copyrighted material is protected around the world. You couldn't translate the latest English-language best-selling novel into another language, or simply add subtitles in something other than English to the latest Hollywood blockbuster and not suffer legal consequences (unless you're in a country with an adversarial relationship with the US I guess).
Songs are a little different. Most publishers rights organizations (PRO's) like ASCAP and BMI are focused on collecting fees from those that publish music and lyrics in sheet music, venues that host live music and studios that record protected music.
No one (in the US) ever goes after the performer covering, adapting or otherwise using copyrighted music
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