If I Could Read You Like a Book Lyrics

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By Helen Sedwick

Whenever I speak at a briefing, I ask who uses lyrics in their writing. Without fail, hands go up, including my own.

Lyrics are a quick manner to communicate setting or reveal graphic symbol. A Sinatra ballad evokes wartime romance while Grateful Dead ramblings ship readers to a smoky love-in. When I explain that using lyrics may be copyright infringement, an audible groan fills the room.

Lyrics are intellectual property, similar text and images. If you use someone'due south property without permission, whether it's a car, a bicycle, or the words to a pop tune, you are violating their holding rights.

Using lyrics is especially risky, non considering they are special in the eyes of the law, merely because they are owned by music companies that aggressively protect their rights. You could get a lawyer letter demanding you "cease and desist" using the lyrics. Translation–shred every re-create of your book, even though the infringing words are 25 out of 95,000. Worse, you could be liable for monetary damages.

Writers tell me I am overreacting. If a book sells a few hundred copies, who's going to know or intendance? But that'southward planning for failure. What if your book takes off and y'all sell 10,000 copies, 100,000 copies? This is one case where it is cheaper to get permission than to ask forgiveness.

The price of getting permission to use lyrics in self-published books is often affordable, typically between $ten and $50. Now that won't get you permission to use lyrics from Jumpin' Jack Flash or Eleanor Rigby, just it is likely to encompass many Sinatra ballads.

How to get permission?

Suppose you want to quote lyrics from Will Yous However Dearest Me Tomorrow written past Carole King and Gerald Goffin. Yous might be tempted to contact the songwriters directly through Carole Male monarch's website. Don't.

Typically songwriters exercise not handle the licensing of their songs. They assign or license their songs to music publishers that manage the process and collect royalties.

To place the music publisher, check the sheet music for the song for a copyright discover. It should be in the name of the music publisher. So bank check the publisher's website for information on how to obtain permissions. I have attached a sample permission request letter at the terminate of the mail service.

If you can't find the canvass music, or the publisher is no longer in business concern, try the two largest music publishers:

• Hal Leonard Corporation handles songs past thousands of artists including the BeeGees, Irving Berlin, Johnny Greenbacks, Henry Mancini. Ruby-red Hot Chili Peppers, and Walt Disney.

• Alfred Music Publishing represents hundreds of music publishers and songwriters, such equally Bruce Springsteen, United Artists, MGM and various moving-picture show studios.

The search capabilities on these sites are far from perfect, and you lot may non be able to find the song you have in listen. It costs nothing to email these sites or make full in their online forms request for permission. If they don't handle the song, they will let you know.

Before you fill out the online forms, you'll need the post-obit information:

• book title
• publisher
• publication date
• the excerpt and/or complete lyrics equally they are to appear in your publication
• the territory of distribution
• suggested retail toll
• and number of copies to be printed

You'll have to brand a judgment call here. If you inquire for permission to print 100,000 copies, then the license fee will be higher than if y'all request permission to print thou copies. Ask for a reasonable amount.

Although the sites say it may take 4 to six weeks to receive a response, I usually hear dorsum from them inside two weeks.

If these sites do non piece of work, then you may be able to find the publisher past searching the data bases of ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and in Canada, SOCAN. These are performing rights societies that manage the licensing of recorded music on behalf of the recording artists, but they as well provide the contact information (and often a link) to music publishers.

You may need to search all four sites because a performer may be registered with one company and not others. And many songs accept diverse co-writers and multiple music publishers, and yous volition need permission from all of them.

Allow'southward walk through a couple searches.

A friend of mine is writing a novel in which the main graphic symbol is obsessed with Frank Sinatra songs. She asked me how to get permission to use a few lines from I Get A Boot Out Of Yous.

We searched the title on both BMI and SESAC and constitute nothing. On ASCAP, we searched Frank Sinatra, institute several pages listing his recordings and clicked on I Get A Kick Out Of You. The adjacent folio showed the writer (Cole Porter) and the publisher (Warner Brothers Music). We clicked on Warner Brothers and a dropdown gave usa the address and email contact data.

Let'south render to Will You Still Dearest Me Tomorrow. A search of ASCAP and SESAC turned upwards nothing. On BMI and SOCAN we establish the publisher, Screen Gems-EMI. We clicked on the publisher'south name and got the contact information.

Don't be surprised if many of these publishers send you lot to dorsum to Hal Leonard or Alfred Music to handle your request, which is why I recommend starting at that place.

Alternatives

If all this searching and paying is more than you desire to deal with, your alternatives are:

• Apply the vocal championship and artist'south name only.
  Titles and names are not protected by copyright, so you may apply them without permission except as part of your own book title or on your book cover. That raises trademark and publicity bug.

• Write your own lyrics.
  Go for it! Yous may notice a new talent.

• Use lyrics in the public domain.
  Any work in the public domain is gratis to utilise without permission or compensation. You should, withal, always give credit to the original creator out of respect and to avoid plagiarism.

  Any song start published or recorded in the United States before January ane, 1923 is in the public domain. This includes many rag time and early blues songs, such as:

  • Take Me Out To the Brawl Game by Ed Meeker
  • Swing Low Sweet Chariot
  • Jelly Roll Dejection by Jelly Roll Martin

• Claim fair use.
  Fair use is copying of copyrighted material for a limited purpose, such equally education, commentary or criticism, or for a "transformative" purpose such as parody. Here'due south one of the best posts out there about fair use, What Every Writer Ought to Know about Off-white Use and Copyright.

  For case, if you quote lyrics from Bob Dylan and Emmine to compare their treatment of women, that may be fair use. Just using the same lyrics to evoke a time or reveal something about your character is not fair use and could exist infringement.

  The line betwixt fair utilise and infringement is murky. Much depends on the facts of the case. Giving credit does not make a difference—you could exist infringing even if you are not plagiarizing.

  Unless you are reasonably confident your employ is fair use, don't rely on it. Even if yous are well within safe lines, the copyright owner might sue. Retrieve of the attorneys' fees and the fourth dimension involved. While I admire those who have on David-and-Goliath battles, I'd rather spend my time and free energy writing.

Ready to go permission? Hither is a sample permission letter.

Beloved _______ [the music publisher or other rights holder]:

I am writing to ask permission to reprint _______ [place actual lyrics, song and songwriter(southward)] on a non-sectional basis in _______ [depict intended use, such as within text of book, on a website and/or blog mail, etc.].

I believe that you are the holder or ambassador/publisher of the copyright in these lyrics. If non, I would greatly appreciate whatsoever help you lot tin provide to assistance me locate the current rights holder or ambassador/publisher.

[Describe your projection, such as a traditionally published book, self-published book, a memoir, etc. If educational, explicate how. Testify your passion for your project. ]

My first run printing will exist _____ copies. /OR/ I will be distributing the impress volume through a print-on-demand provider. I request permission to impress upwardly to _____ books. I will likewise be distributing an e-book. The anticipated price of the book is $_____ and the toll of the eastward-volume will be $_____, although I may disbelieve those prices.

I am distributing the book in English, [mention any other languages] in the world-broad market.

I will also use the lyrics on my website and web log. [Describe electric current traffic levels.] I do/do not post third-political party advertising on my website.

I would use the lyrics starting on _______ [appointment] with no known cease appointment.

I would be happy to provide you copies for approving and upon distribution.

Please let me know if you may grant the permissions outlined above as well as the license fees involved.

Thank y'all for your attention to my asking.

Sincerely,

[Your name, contact info, website, social media links, and anything else that demonstrates who you are and your vision.]

Helen Sedwick, is a Contributing Writer for The Book Designer. She is likewise an writer and a California attorney with thirty years of feel representing businesses and entrepreneurs. Her latest book is Cocky-Publisher's Legal Handbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Legal Issues of Self-Publishing.

You lot can find more information almost Helen hither.

Disclaimer: Helen Sedwick is an attorney licensed to practice in California simply. This information is full general in nature and should not exist used as a substitute for the advice of an attorney authorized to practise in your jurisdiction.

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