is it illegal to put lyrics of copyrighted songs on a website?

Question

I am in a process of making a lyrics website .Most of the lyrics will be from songs which are copyrighted ,so is it ok to put the lyrics of these songs , i just dont want to get in trouble, i will not be putting any music for downloading or playing?
Thank you

Answer 1

Where is the fun in not posting the songs to download? i have seen many websites with lyrics so i dont think it is illegal

Answer 2

Include the copyright information, and as long as you are not making money off of their lyrics then it shouldn't be a problem. To be 100% on the up-and-up you should ask the music publishers for permission.

Answer 3

Having a copyright gives the owner the "exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:

To reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords;

To prepare derivative works based upon the work;

To distribute copies or phonorecords of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending;

To perform the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works;

To display the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture or other audiovisual work; and

In the case of sound recordings*, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission."

The US Copyright Office recommends asking permission first -- http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-fairuse.html#permission

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

james is so correct, i said i was 2pac and made 2 million dollars

Answer 5

No, you're protected under fair use.

Answer 6

yes, its still illegal