Main Page – lyrics from LyricWiki

Main Page – lyrics from LyricWiki: publishers, start your C&D’s!

2006
05/02
CATEGORY
running
2 comments

  1. Hi Ethan,

    I’m curious as to where you come down on this issue. I can certainly agree with the statement that the lyrics are copyrighted to the artists, but does reproducing the lyrics in total and with credit do nearly the harm that distributing copies of the songs themselves? Or, of course, kiping lyrics and claiming them as one’s own.

    Do any of the labels provide this information? If not, then it seems to me that a site like LyricsWiki (which is not benefiting financially via ads from the content) really are doing a service.

    Thanks,

    –Steve

    • Black Rim Glasses
    • May 2nd, 2006

    Hmmm.. As a label person, I have no opinion, other than to say that its not really an opinion that matters, just how the law works in regards to ownership of publishing.

    Does this HURT the artist? No. Can lyrics usage without consent hurt hte artist? Yes, in terms of them getting fairly compensated for usage (like in films, books, etc).

    Think about it this way: if as an author, my entire works were posted online without consent, and I made no money on it, it hurts my bottom line. Lyrics don’t work the same way in the sense of the web, but usage in books, film, etc implies that someone else can and will make money off something I did… possibly.

    Lyrics Wiki is great (check Murmurs.com’s lyrics section too), but it presents an interesting conundrum with regards to other uses of lyrics.

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