|
Post by fatfingerjohn on Nov 23, 2013 9:16:27 GMT
Hi, I've posted a reply/question on our favourite USA forum about this and thought I might get some useful replies on our forum. The original thread there was about transcribing music for tabs and then making the transcription available, but my question is more straightforward. I'm 'simply' talking about the lyrics to a song with the chord alongside (may not be the original key or a true reflection of how the original performer did the song. These are available free on loads of websites now. I, no doubt like many many others, store these on my computer; print them out for my own 'song book'; and on some, print out copies to give to my students. So, if its primarily just the lyrics (no transcribed tab, not actual sheet music or music within a published book) --is me printing them out for myself a breach of copyright in any way (I guess no otherwise we'd all be in jail?) --is printing (a small number) of copies for students a breach? (no fees involved in giving them out); (like nearly every teacher I know who does this) --key question ..... is making them available for print out on a restricted website (which I would setup or use a part of another organisations website, password accessed only by my students, a breach (this is similar to the loads of websites who have the lyrics available free now on the www). Regards FFJ
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 34,023
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Nov 23, 2013 10:13:52 GMT
Hi John,
Your three questions -
...I suspect it probably is, largely because as I doubt if (m)any of the lyric/chord sites comply fully with copyright requirements either.
...possibly - private study has always been thought of as "fair use", but strictly speaking it only applies to short extracts, not complete items.
...if I'm correct about the two previous points then the answer to your third question would have to be that, yes, your proposals would be a breach of copyright.
Yes, widespread and flagrant breaches of copyright occur all the time, which, morally, is not a good reason for adding to them.
But it is is extremely unlikely that you would be called to account over carrying out any of your proposals, unlike at least some websites which have taken down considerable quantities of material a few years ago. The "fuss" seems to have died down somewhat now!
However, I believe that if you write/type the lyrics out yourself (and even then copy those by mechanical means) you should be completely in the clear.
Keith
(...asking for US advice may/may not be a good idea - the law is likely different in detail there. Also there's the question of which country's laws apply to the original websites and what you do with them as well as UK law applying here. Worms and cans spring to mind....., and I'm even tempted to suggest that some questions may be better unasked...not that I would suggest that of course!!)
|
|
|
Post by fatfingerjohn on Nov 23, 2013 11:18:58 GMT
Hi John, ... However, I believe that if you write/type the lyrics out yourself (and even then copy those by mechanical means) you should be completely in the clear. Keith Thanks for your advice. The bit above is an interesting one which, if you think this would be OK, it would presumably mean that the lyrics themselves are not the copyright issue, but the actual recording of them in writing? I can't see where the logic comes in on this really but if its right then presumably if you change, say, the typeface or point size or something, before then printing out or putting on your own website, then you're in the clear??? Can't quite see how this gets round it but if it does then that's good! Thanks again.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 34,023
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Nov 23, 2013 15:20:01 GMT
Can't be absolutely sure I'm correct though John, but I have a feeling that most copyright issues seem to revolve round mechanical(or electronic) means of copying/reproducing without permission, hence writing out by hand may be OK. I may be wrong about the mechanical/electronic reproduction of your handwritten version but I certainly do it. (This is no indicator of proper procedure though!) Just changing the font on another websites material isn't going to cut it if the website is already reproducing the lyrics illegally. And you may also be infringing whatever copyright may exist for any contents (legal or otherwise) of that website too. Aaaargh! If you want to be be totally certain then you'd best ask someone who really knows what they are talking about! This, although I haven't ploughed through it all, might be of help/interest - www.copyrightservice.co.uk/ukcs/docs/edupack.pdfOr, just get on with it. Sorry, didn't mean to type that aloud! Keith
|
|