Can I copy lyrics from online and make song sheets for educ.sing alongs without breaking copyright law?

Question

copyright laws for lyrics

Answer 1

Such a use may or may not constitute fair use -- one large factor in the fair use calculation is whether you or your organization are making a profit from the activity. You can be in violation even if you are undertaking an educational activity -- a lot also depends on how much of the work you are using. In your case, you would be using the whole work. Unless it would be ruled fair use, it is a violation of copyright law. Fair use is decided on a case by case basis.

Now -- you have to answer for yourself whether you are willing to go ahead even if it might be a technical violation of copyright law, given that 1) no copyright holder will probably learn of the violation or even care, and 2) any damages would be pretty small. Smaller than the cost of suing you, for example.

The most likely repercussion would be nothing, and the second most likely is a letter from a copyright holder's lawyer saying "don't do it again."

Answer 2

Possibly, but probably not.

There might be a fair use argument, but I think the the amount and quantity you're copying, it gets harder and harder to justify that. Then there's the fact that you're copying, you're reproducing, you're distributing, and you're performing. All of this without any sort of transformative use. The fair use starts looking weaker and weaker.

By the way, when it comes to infringement, profit and intent (motivation) don't matter. They don't make things better, but can make things worse. For example, profiting can change infringement to criminal infringement, which has stronger penalties. But just because you have no intent to infringe doesn't mean your use isn't infringing.

Have you considered doing sing alongs for songs that are no longer protected by copyright?

Answer 3

It's not right but it's now or never And if I wait could I ever forgive myself? On a night when the moon glows yellow in the riptide With the light from the TV's buzzing in the house Cuz I'm gonna cut it where I can And then I'm gonna duck out behind them If I ever had a chance it's now then But I never had the feeling I could offer that to you To offer it to you would be cruel When all I want to do is use, use you He was a diplomat's son It was ‘81 Dressed in white with my car keys hidden in the kitchen I could sleep wherever I lay my head And the sight of your two shoes sitting in the bathtub Let me know that I shouldn't give up just yet Cuz I'm gonna take it from Simon And then I'm gonna duck out behind them If I ever had a chance it's now then But I never had the feeling I could offer that to you To offer it to you would be cruel When all I want to do is use, use you He was a diplomat's son It was ‘81 I know, you'll say I'm not doing it right But this is how I want it I can't go back To how I felt before That night I smoked a joint With my best friend We found ourselves in bed When I woke up he was gone He was the diplomat's son It was ‘81 Looking out at the ice-cold water all around me I can't feel any traces of that other place In the dark when the wind comes racing off the river There's a car all black with diplomatic plates *Diplomat's Son by Vampire Weekend

Answer 4

No, you can't distribute them without breaking the law, whether you downloaded them or typed them yourself.

That doesn't mean that you can't use them (the fair use clause might cover it) just don't kid yourself that you aren't breaking the law.

(I can't see how a sing along would be considered "educational" under the copyright law)

Answer 5

According to the Fair Use clause of the Copy Right Act, one may copy information if it is used exclusively for educational purposes and not distributed widely or sold for profit.

Answer 6

Do you get paid for the "educ. sing alongs"? If so then copying lyrics without permission is illegal. If not, then you're not breaking any laws by using them.

Answer 7

Google

Answer 8

I would not download them and print them because that would be breakin the copyright laws but you probably could type them out yourself and use them for personal use... I would lol

Answer 9

No

Answer 10

No