Will song lyrics incur the wrath of the music industry?

[ZenBliss]

I am considering starting a site that will be based upon an extensive database of song lyrics, with some unique and advanced search features. What sort of copyright issues can I run into here? Do you think a site like this will draw the wrath of the music industry?

[Dan Schulz]

You'd need to secure their permission unless you were writing a reveiw of said songs, including said lyrics for editorial or educational purposes, or some other similar "fair use".

Also, do not get fooled that failure to do so will let you successfully use the "YouTube" defense - said defense worked (IMHO) only because Google eventually bought them out .

[ZenBliss]

Hmmm... interesting. There are a ton of song lyrics sites on the Internet. Do all of these sites have permission from the recording industry to set up shop?

[Dan Schulz]

Probably not. But since they typically don't affect the RIAA's bottom line (it's bank account) the industry probably just looks the other way.