I know this is not going to be a popular decision, but after much discussion, we felt we had no choice but to add this about posting lyrics on PTO to PTO policy:



• Quoting Song Lyrics in Posts
Regretfully, due to the large number of legal threats and lawsuits by various factions of the recording industry in recent years against websites that publish lyrics and alternate (karaoke) versions of songs on the Internet, PTO has had to make the decision (as of 14 September 2008) to limit song lyrics in posts to a very minimal amount. Posting a line or two, or a verse, or a chorus of a song is acceptable; posting more than that or the entire song lyrics is not, and will result in removal or editing of your post. It is also preferred that you credit the artist or songwriter as well when posting the lyric snippet, if known.



Many of you are most likely aware of how litigious the RIAA and other factions of the industry have become in cracking down on Internet sites and users regarding recorded music and copyrighted lyrics, and with PTO being one of the biggest boards on the Internet these days, we just don't feel we can continue allowing posting of complete lyrics or most of the lyrics of a song anymore.

The Songs, Lyrics & Music forum will probably remain and just be music-related... no more posting of lyrics tho (or at least not but a snippet).

Believe me, we don't like it either and I'm as sorry as anyone, especially since the recording industry crackdown and monstrous litigation is a big pet peeve of mine personally, but in this day and age when they are suing and serving cease & desist orders left and right, we feel we have to do what's in PTO's best interests. :(

Thanks for your understanding and assistance in this matter. :yes:

Lys

This is news to me. I can understand them not wanting people to make copies of their songs to sell or give to others, as they want to make money. However you'd think others seeing the lyrics might pique interest in someone buying the song!

Well, you would think so, but take a look at lyrics sites all over the 'Net these days and you'll see them either shut down from carrying them completely, or shut down from publishing lyrics of certain artists.

Then you have the recorded music sites like SingSnap - which is basically online karaoke - which has had to remove a number of the tracks they used to offer thanks to such litigation.

It's a shame, but unfortunately the recording industry is showing no signs of stoppage much. :(

That's funny because I remember buying mags when I was a teenager (a long time ago, before the internet), and one of the reasons I bought them was for the song lyrics they published! I wonder why it's now a big deal to have them on the net? I guess it's just easier to get them. But, you'd think it would help sells, not hurt them. What's wrong with knowing the lyrics of a song? It would at least cut down on "garbled lyrics". lol But, I understand the reasoning.

when the song came out and I continued to sing "blad headed baby" and my childrem would laugh until I thought they would drop. Finally they they told me it wasn't 'bald headed baby"," but roll with it baby." It still makes me smile when I think about it

That's funny because I remember buying mags when I was a teenager (a long time ago, before the internet), and one of the reasons I bought them was for the song lyrics they published! I wonder why it's now a big deal to have them on the net? I guess it's just easier to get them. But, you'd think it would help sells, not hurt them. What's wrong with knowing the lyrics of a song? It would at least cut down on "garbled lyrics". lol But, I understand the reasoning.


The difference is the magazines that publish lyrics (like Song Hits and others that publish ONLY lyrics, as well as others that publish occasional lyrics) -

Those pay ASCAP and BMI a fee to publish the lyrics. Much like karaoke song vendors pay them to publish a version of the song.

It's all about copyright and publishing rights, and the majority of the lyrics sites on the Internet were just put there as a hobby (tho not all) and most of them don't have the thousands of dollars it would cost to publish lyrics as prescribed by legal publishing rights of ASCAP and BMI (who collect fees for the artists themselves), and the case of recorded music the same and the RIAA (who collect fees for the artists).

Which is how musicians and songwriters make their money, so in a way it's understandable, but with lyric publishing sometimes I think they go a little too far.

when the song came out and I continued to sing "blad headed baby" and my childrem would laugh until I thought they would drop. Finally they they told me it wasn't 'bald headed baby"," but roll with it baby." It still makes me smile when I think about it


Yeah... there are a couple of "misheard lyrics" sites out there on the 'Net (Am I Right and Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy are two of them) that are outrageously hilarious :D

"There's a Bathroom on the Right" (Bad Moon on the Rise!) lol

"There's a Bathroom on the Right" (Bad Moon on the Rise!) lol

That's one of my favorites! LOL

or "i am sooo mad" instead of "im a soul man"