Just because they can, Peermusic, Warner Music’s Warner/Chappell and Bug Music have launched lawsuits against two companies for alleged copyright infringement of… drum roll… the unlicensed use of lyrics online.
According to Billboard, the lawsuits alleged that LiveUniverse, Inc and Motive Force LLC “engaged in willful copyright infringement on a vast scale.”
“Unlicensed web sites exploiting song lyrics for profit have become a significant problem,” said David Israelite, President and CEO of National Music Publishers’ Association. “These sites are profiting on the backs of songwriters. It is unfortunate that copyright holders must so frequently divert energies to protect their rights to license and distribute their works. However, the demand for music prompts a seemingly endless stream of illegal business models.”
Israelite went on to explain that the lawsuits were filed because the two business in question are neither licensed (unlike LyricFind, Gracenote, TuneWiki, etc.) and ignored three years worth of cease and desist notices. The suit seeks “equitable relief and damages.”
