I was thinking of starting a fan website of my favourite band to try out some stuff and experiment with HTML. But the problem is that a good music site offers music or at least lyrics.
I know mp3's are not allowed (unless you have Tripod paid account) because they're copyright protected, but what about lyrics ? Can one put lyrics on-line without a problem ?

Actually you can't because they are also copyrighted, but who gives a rats ass.
If the artist has their lyrics on their official site they probably couldn't care less either.

Besides it's a fan site so they'll probably be happy. I only know about some general lyrics sites that got closed down.

Instead of just disregarding the law, like EC is suggesting, why not send an email to the bands publicist explaining what the site will be about and ask permission to display the lyrics.

Originally posted by blue27
Instead of just disregarding the law, like EC is suggesting, why not send an email to the bands publicist explaining what the site will be about and ask permission to display the lyrics.
Nice concept Blue. Let's try to follow the law and see what happens.

Originally posted by dapon
Nice concept Blue. Let's try to follow the law and see what happens.

probably nothing then :stickout:

and which law are we talking about anyway, since the internet is international anyway and he could be from a country were they couldn't give a ratsass about copyrights lol

Eric, in the words of the character that your name is based on: "You're really startin to piss me off!". Normally, a simple call to a band publicist explaining that this is a NOT FOR PROFIT fan site will do the trick.

Oh and by the way, he is from a different country: Belgium, but that makes no difference to me.

oh Belgium, same country as i am then he sure as hell doesn't have to be scared about some lyrics

Anyway like it's so easy to find a bands publicists number...

umm sure it is that would be like Universial Records if say it was Blink 182, you would call them up and ask to speek with the publicst of blink 182 even though you may have to set up a meeting better than setting up a meeting with lawyers now isn't it?

And on blink182s site look what I found..

UMG Privacy Officer
2220 Colorado Avenue , Santa Monica , CA 90404
(310) 865-5000 or email us at: privacy-office@umusic.com


thats the only person you need to ask if its for blink 182, but it should be on any bands site how to contact someone about private pollicys,.

Originally posted by Eric Cartman
Actually you can't because they are also copyrighted, but who gives a rats ass.
If the artist has their lyrics on their official site they probably couldn't care less either.

Besides it's a fan site so they'll probably be happy. I only know about some general lyrics sites that got closed down.


lol !


I dont htink you should be giving advise on this issue :D

How about you make all the lyrics images with a little watermark or some artistic symbol off in the corner and call it art? :D

www.ohhla.com is the biggest archive of hip hop lyrics and as far as i can tell they have never had any problems and they have lyrics for almost every hip hop artist ever

This outa answere some of those questions.

http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/index.html

http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

"4.2.3 Music, Lyrics, and Music Video

Up to 10%, but in no event more than 30 seconds, of the music and lyrics from an individual musical work (or in the aggregate of extracts from an individual work), whether the musical work is embodied in copies, or audio or audiovisual works, may be reproduced or otherwise incorporated as a part of a multimedia project created under Section 2. Any alterations to a musical work shall not change the basic melody or the fundamental character of the work. "

http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/ccmcguid.htm

First: It doesnt matter what country you are from, if you have internet, you have copyright laws too :D

Second: If you email them explaining the purpose of the site 99% of the time they really are not bothered about it - after all, its free advertising ;)

Third: Dont be a tool and disregard the law, none of us like fines or the pen so play by the rules :D:stickout:

I want to play by the rules for sure, Belgium has a reputation. We have SABAM, an organisation that defends artists and their cases, and they try to sew some innocent Belgian people now and then, just because of a simple mp3 or other copyrighted article.

I guess just putting a C and the name of the author won't do ?

I guess it's best then to call the managements and publicists.

Not simple though. For one who's fan of a small local band it's easy to ask. My favourites are Marilyn Manson and Placebo (for non-Europeans: Placebo is one of the UK's most popular indie-rock bands).
I don't know if it is possible to contact them. MM's site doesn't give a contact address by the way, I never saw a something@marilynmanson.com address.

Maybe the record label can also give written permission ? Must it be the artists publicist or can the record company give permission as well ? The record company is probably a lot easier to reach, unless someone gives me Marilyn Mansons private phone number so I can ask it directly to him :)