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Any license required for a lyrics website ?

by Samrath Gupta
18 replies
Hey Warriors,

I was thinking to start a song lyrics website but I'm not sure If I need a license for it or not!

Any thoughts ?
#license #lyrics #required #website
  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Yes, you do need permission from the copyright holder for song lyrics.

    That being said, there are thousands of song lyric databases out there that seem to be left alone.

    There also guitar tab sites. Some include the lyrics, others only the tab. I don't know if that is because including the lyrics could run into legal trouble.

    I think self transcribed stuff is okay for chords and tabs, but the actual music and lyrics are protected.

    Sites that license real music sheets charge money.

    What would we do without the Internet...

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    • Profile picture of the author Samrath Gupta
      Originally Posted by onSubie View Post

      Yes, you do need permission from the copyright holder for song lyrics.
      Any idea from where I can get the license ??
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      • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
        Originally Posted by Samrath Gupta View Post

        Any idea from where I can get the license ??
        Good grief... you need a license for each songs lyrics you want to put up on the web and it isn't cheap. There is no "one stop shop" license.

        Don't know why you'd want to create a lyrics website... there are tons of them already.
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        • Profile picture of the author HN
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Mike Hill View Post

          Don't know why you'd want to create a lyrics website... there are tons of them already.
          Why would anyone want to create ANY website? There are tons of websites already.

          Why not? I can't speak for the other guy, but what else would you suggest me to do with a domain name like lyrics.me, lyrics.ee or similar. I've got a few one word LYRICS domain names registered in different countries, so for me it's obvious to create a lyrics website. Combine a premium domain name with an unique way of building a lyrics site and you have a winner.

          To me, the question is how to monetize the lyrics site besides adsense and selling music memorabilia?
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    • Profile picture of the author Captain Kent
      Originally Posted by onSubie View Post

      Yes, you do need permission from the copyright holder for song lyrics.

      That being said, there are thousands of song lyric databases out there that seem to be left alone.

      There also guitar tab sites. Some include the lyrics, others only the tab. I don't know if that is because including the lyrics could run into legal trouble.

      I think self transcribed stuff is okay for chords and tabs, but the actual music and lyrics are protected.

      Sites that license real music sheets charge money.

      What would we do without the Internet...

      BC Hydro Power Smart - "Chickens to Paralyze" - YouTube
      heh, nice video

      and well, you can have the lyrics and when complaint comes than just remove them hehehe
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  • Profile picture of the author Samrath Gupta
    Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

    It's a bit of a grey area. Lyrics are copyrighted.

    But record companies don't seem to care. Especially as they ultimately get a royalty out of whatever you're selling next to those lyrics.
    How do they get royalities ??
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  • Profile picture of the author cooler1
    If you monetize the site with something like Adsense or a music affiliate program, how could it be profitable if you need a licence for every song especially when considering that the major lyric sites get the bulk of the traffic.
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    • Profile picture of the author GrowMyForumCommunity
      Originally Posted by cooler1 View Post

      If you monetize the site with something like Adsense or a music affiliate program, how could it be profitable if you need a licence for every song especially when considering that the major lyric sites get the bulk of the traffic.
      Simple. Most of the lyrics site doesn't even have a license. Most of the lyrics site are often left alone by the rightful owners/composer because they believe that they won't lose anything. It is basically the same as amateur YouTube performers who "covers" songs -- usually they don't ask for permission but still retains it.
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  • Profile picture of the author miklanderson2
    It's one of those grey areas on the web where you could get in trouble, but probably won't based on the sheer number of sites doing the exact same thing out there. That said, I'd be more concerned with how I was going to make a dime off of a lyric site. There are tons of them out there and you're fighting an uphill battle unless you find a new and intriguing way to present the material.
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  • Profile picture of the author vikashmunda
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Samrath Gupta View Post

    Hey Warriors,

    I was thinking to start a song lyrics website but I'm not sure If I need a license for it or not!

    Any thoughts ?
    I don't think you will face any major issues with that there are lots of lyrics website running for years and i have not seen any legal issues they have faced till now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Samrath Gupta
      Originally Posted by HN View Post

      Why would anyone want to create ANY website? There are tons of websites already.

      Why not? I can't speak for the other guy, but what else would you suggest me to do with a domain name like lyrics.me, lyrics.ee or similar. I've got a few one word LYRICS domain names registered in different countries, so for me it's obvious to create a lyrics website. Combine a premium domain name with an unique way of building a lyrics site and you have a winner.

      To me, the question is how to monetize the lyrics site besides adsense and selling music memorabilia?
      Really a great answer! You just boosted me There tons of methods to monetize!

      Originally Posted by vikashmunda View Post

      I don't think you will face any major issues with that there are lots of lyrics website running for years and i have not seen any legal issues they have faced till now.
      What sort of legal issues can happen ? Can I get in JAIL for that ?

      What if they send me a Notice and I remove the lyrics from my website.. Will it work ?

      Regards
      ~Sam~
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  • Profile picture of the author jaggyjay
    Sam! How are ya! Haven't seen you post as of late

    Anyway, as others have stated: this is more a grey area. How grey? Don't know. Many similar sites have been online for years without legal problems.

    BUT... legal problems do happen. Check out the story behind Line Universe:

    LiveUniverse: Lyrics site fined a record $6.6m for copyright infringement | Mail Online

    Usually, sites claim "Fair Use" for posting this content. Learn more about "Fair Use" here:

    Fair use - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    U.S. Copyright Office - Fair Use

    My take is that you can create one and use your Warrior-Jit-su kung fu SEO skills to rank it high and make a ton of money. And you likely will make a ton of money.

    But therein lies "the rub" as they say... seems if you do make a ton of money - others will sue cause they want a piece of the action!

    Ahhh... Capitalism at work. LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author Samrath Gupta
      Originally Posted by jaggyjay View Post

      Sam! How are ya! Haven't seen you post as of late

      Anyway, as others have stated: this is more a grey area. How grey? Don't know. Many similar sites have been online for years without legal problems.

      BUT... legal problems do happen. Check out the story behind Line Universe:

      LiveUniverse: Lyrics site fined a record $6.6m for copyright infringement | Mail Online

      Usually, sites claim "Fair Use" for posting this content. Learn more about "Fair Use" here:

      Fair use - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      U.S. Copyright Office - Fair Use

      My take is that you can create one and use your Warrior-Jit-su kung fu SEO skills to rank it high and make a ton of money. And you likely will make a ton of money.

      But therein lies "the rub" as they say... seems if you do make a ton of money - others will sue cause they want a piece of the action!

      Ahhh... Capitalism at work. LOL
      Hi Jay- I'm good.. How are ya ?

      Glad someone knows me and missed me haha...

      I've also seen that Daily Mail thing..

      I really feel like Starting one and make some $$$$

      Only the license thing is making me crazy! I dont wanna drown in legal issues lol..

      What could be the first step they can do ?


      Send me a notice to remove the lyrics ?
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      • Profile picture of the author jaggyjay
        Originally Posted by Samrath Gupta View Post


        What could be the first step they can do ?

        Send me a notice to remove the lyrics ?

        Perhaps. But I'm not really sure.

        If you're lucky I guess. Getting a notice to take content down may be the nicest thing that can happen.

        I know a site that got slapped with a C&D (cease and desist) from eBay;
        and it came rather suddenly. But the owner was selling a piece of software that is considered "Black~Hattish" and ebay went after him.

        Don't know if he got sued, but his entire income from that site obviously ceased (no pun intended) :p

        You may want to consult a legal pro to see what risks are involved.

        Also, if you go ahead and create the site, you may want to offer more than just lyrics to your visitors.

        Compare AZLyrics.com to MetroLyrics.com. AZ is rather plain; where Metro has all sorts of 'eye candy'.
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  • Profile picture of the author HN
    Banned
    Charap said a typical licence for a lyrics website involved around 50 per cent of revenue being paid to music publishers and songwriters.
    That's not bad, if you don't have to pay upfront and it's rather fair revshare as well.
    I would send emails or mail letters to copyright owners and also add a disclaimer on your site that you are putting aside 50% of revenue for copyright owners, so they can claim it any time they discover your site. Talk to lawyers about this idea. They might never claim their 50%, but on the other hand it MAY protect you from the lawsuit. As I said discuss it with a lawyer.
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    • Profile picture of the author Samrath Gupta
      Originally Posted by HN View Post

      That's not bad, if you don't have to pay upfront and it's rather fair revshare as well.
      I would send emails or mail letters to copyright owners and also add a disclaimer on your site that you are putting aside 50% of revenue for copyright owners, so they can claim it any time they discover your site. Talk to lawyers about this idea. They might never claim their 50%, but on the other hand it MAY protect you from the lawsuit. As I said discuss it with a lawyer.
      Lawyers here are not much aware regarding the online biz and all.. I know they'll come up with an POKER face If I'll put this scenario infront of them LOL...

      I've no prob in giving them 50% share but the thing is I need to know If they agree with it or not!!

      Also, What sort of Disclaimer you feel like will work ??
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  • Profile picture of the author Christian Chan
    Buy the license from GraceNote.com

    Originally Posted by Samrath Gupta View Post

    Hey Warriors,

    I was thinking to start a song lyrics website but I'm not sure If I need a license for it or not!

    Any thoughts ?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7578469].message }}

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