Should it be illegal to download lyrics?

Question

I tried to download some tablature from a decent website. Right on the front page was an explanation saying it had been shut down due to possible copyright infringement laws. I read their side of the story, but felt it was only fair to be impartial in the matter, and read what the Music Publishers Association had to say about it. I found the statement they released quite alarming and wonder what anyone else might have to say about it? "FYI", I also am a musician, and personally I'd be more than happy to give up my lyrics to people on the net to share with others. This would not affect my copyright, but I can see how the companies who print out professional copies of my work for profit could lose some money. NEED INPUT

Answer 1

This is (and probably will continue to be) a never-ending debate. There are artists that are in the same boat as you -- perfectly fine with sharing their tunes & words. Check out archive.org; all of those artists are just fine with the whole file-share concept. But then there are plenty of artists (hello, Metallica!) who are not okay with it.

I personally feel it's up to the artist. However, many times, artists don't even own the rights to their own works (hello, The Beatles!), so there's not always a clear cut say-so in the matter.

The bottom line is that the recording companies, the publishing houses, the whoever-stands-to-make-money folks, etc. are more than likely going to side with, well, their bottom line. These entities are in to making money and free file-sharing isn't making them a dime (or even a penny).

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

There are times I'll look up the lyrics to a song I just can't get out of my head. I need to be able to read them to truly understand the work. I am currently hooked on a song I only heard once, Mountains by Lonestar.

I have now read the lyrics to the point I understand the song, and I'm dying to hear the song again!

Answer 3

well, if you're a person who acknowledge music and loves to sing, it should not be illegal at all. after all it's totally copyrighted, so no one would be able to get away with plagiarism. second of all, every lyrics should have an author and singer, so it'd be hard to try and steal anyway.

if you're a person that creates lyrics and write songs, it should be illegal, typically. i mean, who would want their stuff copied from the internet. downloading lyrics can be fine, though, if the author's name is included in it.

so what i mean is--- lyrics should be legal, as long as it states its creator and gives it's copyrights [which should be noted somewhere on the page]. downloading lyrics just to sing for fun and stuff is totally okay, but plagarizing is not.

big opinion: UM YEAH IT'S ALRIGHT TO SEE WHAT THE ARTIST IS TRYING TO SAY, BUT TRY TO KEEP IT DOWN IF YOU WANT TO STEAL IT.

Answer 4

If you wrote a novel, taking the years of knowledge, the months of typing, the pains of going through each character's experiences and life so you could recreate and write it on paper, and all the expense to publish it, and then sold one book, and that person put it on the internet for all to see and read for free, so you made no money, would you like that? Songs are someones creation, and they should be paid for their work and creativity.

Answer 5

Not if sanctioned by ASCAP or other organizations that protect artists.

BTW, if you give up your own copyrighted material, that's sales lost. It may also short your publisher and anyone recording or performing your work.

Answer 6

No thats dumb its not like your listening to the song you just want to see what the artist is trying to say.

Answer 7

No, it's time for the world to move on.

Answer 8

i think to stupid to pay to get a lyrics ,it should be totally free and available

Answer 9

yep

Answer 10

you can Mr.