Curious about copyrights

[More_MoreMore]

Have people had any copyright problems or concerns with using song lyrics (sparingly) in their works?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Have people had any copyright problems or concerns with using song lyrics (sparingly) in their works?

The site won't allow complete song lyrics to be quoted, but a line or two will usually be okay. Whenever I do it, I'll name the song writer as part of the narrative.

 

[DTales]

You hear rumors about that... I took a chance in my novel-length series Hell for Feathers by naming chapters after single lines in classic songs. I think that's OK, but more than a few lines might get you into trouble if it's not given context as to why it's important. As another example, in My Immortal, the main girl sings Boulevard of Broken Dreams, but they only actually use one line. Something like that is probably fine, but 'fair use' is a very strange beast.

 

[BeechLeaf]

Warning: 'Fair use' doesn't mean "you're allowed to quote small amounts", it's more like "you're allowed to quote small amounts in a review of the original work".

But of course everyone from time to time quotes a song title, or a Monty Python joke, or a famous opening line. It would be absurd to object to very short quotes like that.

 

[old_prof]

The site won't allow complete song lyrics to be quoted, but a line or two will usually be okay. Whenever I do it, I'll name the song writer as part of the narrative.

I will say I have used extended song lyrics multiple timse and never had an issue. Hell, my music event embedded out of the lyrics for twenty songs in it. I admit I was wondering if that one would be bounced.

Other than the music event, I only do it when the song is part of the story and the lyrics are relevant.

 

[More_MoreMore]

I will say I have used extended song lyrics multiple timse and never had an issue. Hell, my music event embedded out of the lyrics for twenty songs in it. I admit I was wondering if that one would be bounced.

Other than the music event, I only do it when the song is part of the story and the lyrics are relevant.

The lyrics would be totally relevant. I could just name the song title (which I understand is not a copyright violation) but a few lines from the song make a huge difference to the narrative.

 

[CalBishForNow]

My first story included multiple lines from seven songs in a dance scene. It Could Have Been Anyone. No issues.

EDIT: In hindsight I wish I had acknowledged the writers/singers in a foreword/afterword just for the principle of it, but in my defense it was my first story, and I think it was clear in context that they weren't mine. The story published in 2 days without any problems.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I quoted a verse at the start of Messing About on the River, to explain the title. It got initially rejected because I hadn't formatted it as close lines with line breaks. Then no problem.

One story of mine includes a bunch of lyrics from Tom Robinson, but also credits him. He'd probably appreciate it if he ever noticed.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

The term "sparingly" is defined exclusively by the site admins.

That being said, there are times when the site encourages the incorporation of some lyrics into stories, such as with the 2026 Song Challenge:

In addition, I have several other stories here with a stanza or two from songs included in them. Just don't go overboard.

 

[FromManyOne]

Warning: 'Fair use' doesn't mean "you're allowed to quote small amounts", it's more like "you're allowed to quote small amounts in a review of the original work".

There are other forms of fair use beyond reviewing, notably parody and indexing for a search engine.

The doctrine also takes into account "the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole." Quoting one line of a song would arguably be a small amount and insubstantial.

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

 

[BeechLeaf]

There are numerous situations where copying does not violate copyright, and another I've often used is photocopying journal articles for university study. Accessible summaries of fair use/dealing laws can easily be found on-line. (Also IANAL.)

But the relevant point for writers here is that there is no general right to copy small amounts. It needs to be for a specific allowed purpose.

Probably with song lyrics it's one of those things where they're so common that copyright holders don't usually bother pursuing violations.

 

[Dodola]

Copyright violations typically only occur if you represent any parts of someone else's creative work as your own, and/or, try to benefit financially from that misrepresentation.
I'm guessing the site has it's own idea of what they will allow to avoid any problems.
Also, audio, video, and print media are all treated differently, regarding copyrights.
This is not legal advice, but I work for two music industry attorneys.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I did a thing with a character named Alice and wove small bits from Elton John, Arlo Guthrie and Chic Corea into dialog. Things like another character stating,

'C'mon Alice, it's my turn to play.'

 

[Writer61]

And, of course, copyright laws vary worldwide.

 

[OralAllOver]

Legally, the ability to use a few lines is known as Fair Use which generally does not cover an entire work. (Necessarily, everything in the law starts with basic principles but gets more complicated as "edge" scenarios arise)

USPTO is American government's office for intellectual property and has interesting info on its site

 

[Mastered_again]

The site won't allow complete song lyrics to be quoted, but a line or two will usually be okay. Whenever I do it, I'll name the song writer as part of the narrative.

Yeah, that. No issues in several stories I've posted here

 

[FromManyOne]

Copyright violations typically only occur if you represent any parts of someone else's creative work as your own, and/or, try to benefit financially from that misrepresentation.

This is not the case. Remember when the big labels were suing people for downloading music for their own listening pleasure?

Making a copy is illegal, end of sentence full stop. If you don't make money, it's far harder to sue you for damages, but that doesn't make the copying illegal.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Remember when the big labels were suing people for downloading music for their own listening pleasure?

They kinda got slapped around quite a bit for that. Then they realized it just made even more people do it out of spite. Then access to the web got easier for even more people, storage prices fell, PCs and small portable devices proliferated, lawyers wanted more money for possible frivolous cases, multiple paid and free streaming services popped up making saving files almost seamless with listening ...

Label tyrants lost.

 

[Dodola]

This is not the case. Remember when the big labels were suing people for downloading music for their own listening pleasure?

Making a copy is illegal, end of sentence full stop. If you don't make money, it's far harder to sue you for damages, but that doesn't make the copying illegal.

Thanks.
That's a different kind of infringement than we're discussing here, and no longer relevant in today's world, but you've definitely proven my statement to be incomplete. Well done.

You and I must be from different generations.

 

[OralAllOver]

Thanks.
That's a different kind of infringement than were discussing here, and no longer relevant in today's world, but you've definitely proven my statement to be incomplete. Well done.

You and I must be from different generations.

Intellectual Property is based upon federal statutes, and statutes don't "age." They are amended or replaced by newer statutes (or Constitutional Amendment).

I express no opinion on the substance of this discourse except to note that actual study and reference to actual law (as opposed to what folks do -- you ever drive over the speed limit?) don't take that long. Sigh

 

[OralAllOver]

Last, don't confuse Intellectual Property with Contract Law (which may or may not find service agreements enforceable)

 

[Dodola]

Yes, let's divert the conversation to the history of all types of copyright infringement for the purposes of a "gotcha" from a commenter who dislikes me, rather than keeping the discussion relevant to the topic.
I wouldn't expect any less.

The lawsuits over downloading music ended almost twenty years ago and have nothing to do with quoting lyrics in a story on literotica.

 

[THBGato]

Have people had any copyright problems or concerns with using song lyrics (sparingly) in their works?

I did it all the time. Loads of my stories feature snippets of song lyrics.

Tip: if you use folk songs (e.g. The Parting Glass or Wedding Dress) they'll be public domain, so no copyright issue.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Yes, let's divert the conversation to the history of all types of copyright infringement for the purposes of a "gotcha" from a commenter who dislikes me, rather than keeping the discussion relevant to the topic.
I wouldn't expect any less.

The lawsuits over downloading music ended almost twenty years ago and have nothing to do with quoting lyrics in a story on literotica.

As noted though, Lit has entire challenges and contests based on songs. Titles, lyrics, artist's names, places mentioned in songs -- it's all here. Admin not only allows it, but promotes it.


So there!!!




(Anybody catch the double dash in the wild?)

 

[Dodola]

As noted though, Lit has entire challenges and contests based on songs. Titles, lyrics, artist's names, places mentioned in songs -- it's all here. Admin not only allows it, but promotes it.


So there!!!




(Anybody catch the double dash in the wild?)

I think you meant to direct this to one of the commenters who cautioned against using more than one or two lines?
It wasn't me.