Free the Lyrics

Found another petition. keep lyric and tab sites on the web!

I’m not sure what will be done with the petition once it reaches its goal of 5,000. Will it be sent to someone?

I have to comment about something in the petition writer’s myspace rant.

if these laws go into effect, then they will have to jail people whistling songs on the sidewalk, cover bands, garage bands, karoke singers, etc. this is outrageous.

Ah, the old “what’s next” argument. Often comprised of hyperbole (”whistling”) and actuality. In this case, the actuality isn’t that cover bands and karaoke singers are being arrested, but that the venues (e.g. bars) can get in trouble for not paying the royalties on the music. I previously mentioned an article about a Washington, D.C. bar taken to court for not paying fees to ASCAP. Or how about a Fresno bar being sued for not licensing songs that BMI represents.

Shortly after the MPA announced its plans to take down tab sites, I found an online petition and wrote about it (December 20, 2005). Since then I’ve found a couple more, so here’s a roundup. People can leave comments in the first three, so you’ll find some thoughtful arguments, some not-so-thoughtful quips, and occasionally some guest book graffiti.

Musical Interpretation on the Internet
The petition was created by and written by James Booker. It’s addressed to the Music Publishers’ Association, but there isn’t any information about when or if the petition will be sent to the MPA.

TabPetition.com
This one is addressed to the Music Publishers’ Association, and since it says “What we are going to send the MPA”, I assume the MPA will be notified at some point.

save the tabs
The site says:

when enough people have signed we will contact the MPA and any other relevant organizations to show them your views, please sign and help SAVE THE TABS

Tab Aid
This one takes a name and email, and doesn’t mention anything about when or if the petition information will be sent to the MPA. (More information about TabAid)

Someone started a petition at petitiononline.com for Musical Interpretation on the Internet, addressed to the MPA, and focuses on why interpretations of tabs should not constitute copyright infringement.

Like many online petitions, this will probably have little effect on reality, but it does show people are concerned. There were 3620 signatures when I checked.