Copyright Stuff

[Thunderthumbs73]

I was looking at an old article I saved with a transcription in it. Oh, about 2-4 bars worth, and other similar size excerpts from a few other songs. I got to thinking about it: I didn't see any copyright claimers/disclaimers or other legaleese. And then I looked at a whole song transcription with the expected legaleese.

So if I wanted to publish a book and use transcriptions (I would transcribe), do I need to contact the publishing houses of those songs I would transcribe some portion of, for rights/clearance? And why do magazines have different standards, if so?

And it seems like if I wanted to publish a transcription of a song and include it in my book, I'd have to contact the publishing house. But for a few bars, or less than a whole song (say a chorus and/or a verse), I wouldn't have to?

Hmmm...

[mulchor]

Best answer is, it's complicated.

Hopefully a bit more helpful, if you're quoting a short excerpt of a work, that's considered fair use. Just like with the papers you wrote back in school. As long as you cite the original source, you're ok.

How much is too much? There's no specific number of words, notes, or lines that can be taken without permission. It also depends on what your purpose is. If it's for something in the greater good (e.g., education or scholarship) you have more room to use it than if you do basically the same thing for commercial purposes.

It's safest to get permission first. It's less hassle to act as responsibly as you can and then apologize when you're caught.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Thanks Mulchor. Anyone else on this? Anyone?