I don't understand?

[GearGod]

Why are tabs Illegal? This is just an expression of how the tab writer feels that the artist plays. It isn't a recording, its not a video, its an approximation that the tabber feels is close to the artists MOVEMENTS! Nothing else! I don't use Tabs, because I am trying to learn how to PLAY Bass vrs. Playing with a bass, but this sucks! I can Look up a recipe for deviled eggs on line, but no tabs. Difference? Duh!

[markjazzbassist]

i think it's cause technically a tab is just a poor man's transcription of their work. transcriptors of music have to pay royalties on the songs they transcribe, so why shouldn't people who tab it out?

i think it's fair. plus, Tabs were getting way out of control and they couldn't regulate it, so they just made all of them illegal.

[GearGod]

Tabbers are just people emulating and trying to learn music. Yeah this music is copyrighted, but they are not reproducing it for profit. Like I said I don't use Tabs, I am trying to learn music, but people who use tabs are the same! Having tabs of a song is nothing like copying it to your iPod. NOTHING! People use tabs so they can play a convincing version of the song to impress their friends. Any band that has tabs written of their music should feel impressed that anyone cares about their music enough to copy it.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by GearGod

Tabbers are just people emulating and trying to learn music. Yeah this music is copyrighted

isn't a transcription the same thing? don't yell at me, i didn't make the rules, the muscians union, ascap, and bmg did. write them a letter. all i was doing was explaining to you WHY it's illegal.

Plus, you should just learn by ear, it'll make you a better player, and your ear will improve and you'll be able to pick stuff up a lot quicker.

[slapslappopslap]

why does it only become illegal when you write it down... does that mean a verbal description of a tab would be ok??

[Ray Salamon]

This came up at least once before, and the thread's been deleted? I can't find it, and I was posting in it.
But, anyway, they're illegal now, more-or-less, and IMO they're useless anyway, so good riddance. While I don't agree why they are illegal, that doesn't matter.

[Introvox]

I have mostly learned by ear, and figuring it out by listening, watching vids etc...

How long until my ears become illegal.
And what about ME showing YOU how to do a riff or song...kinda like a living tab....how long until, that's illegal?

Artists are losing money left right and center due to downloading....they looked, found an opportunity, and seeked legislation....I must admit I understand...sorta

Funny though, I can still seem to find Millions of tabs....you LAWBREAKERS!

[Ray Salamon]

Originally Posted by Introvox

I have mostly learned by ear, and figuring it out by listening, watching vids etc...

How long until my ears become illegal.
And what about ME showing YOU how to do a riff or song...kinda like a living tab....how long until, that's illegal?

Artists are losing money left right and center due to downloading....they looked, found an opportunity, and seeked legislation....I must admit I understand...sorta

Funny though, I can still seem to find Millions of tabs....you LAWBREAKERS!

The main things about tabs was, I believe:
Being used for profits*
and
"Publishing" copyrighted work.

*=the web site gets profit from ads and such. The end-users get profit from gigging. Supposivly the artists never saw any compensation for these profits, hence they became illegal. That, with the "publishing" made them illegal.