legal issues on my rap music?

OK guys, I have a song in production that indirectly attacks an ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend. I know some of you might think it's immoral in the first place, but it helps me sometimes to get my feelings out (even a psychiatrist I used to visit in the past encouraged the use of this as long as it doesn't harm anyone). However, I have decided also to make this song ambiguous and not mention any names at all in case I decide to make the song public. My question is whether or not they could legally pursue action against me if the song went public, as long as I continue to make no mentions of their names? I believe I am within my rights here, but was just curious to if anyone else here knew anything about this.

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Originally Posted by Lethal G

OK guys, I have a song in production that indirectly attacks an ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend. I know some of you might think it's immoral in the first place, but it helps me sometimes to get my feelings out (even a psychiatrist I used to visit in the past encouraged the use of this as long as it doesn't harm anyone). However, I have decided also to make this song ambiguous and not mention any names at all in case I decide to make the song public. My question is whether or not they could legally pursue action against me if the song went public, as long as I continue to make no mentions of their names? I believe I am within my rights here, but was just curious to if anyone else here knew anything about this.

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you'll be alright. as long as you dont get famous and make millions, you wont get sued

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Originally Posted by yoda

as long as you dont get famous and make millions, you wont get sued

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One can only dream... :)

Yep... you're not slandering anyone, directly or indirectly. Creative liscence allows you to say that the events in your song do not depict real events, but can be influenced from your life. At least that's what I was taught about cartoons and comic books.

On another note, if you're planning on making money, the first thing you should go do is see a lawyer. I mean, that's wise for anyone who's starting a business venture.

arnt most songs influenced from real life situations?

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Originally Posted by graph

Yep... you're not slandering anyone, directly or indirectly. Creative liscence allows you to say that the events in your song do not depict real events, but can be influenced from your life. At least that's what I was taught about cartoons and comic books.

On another note, if you're planning on making money, the first thing you should go do is see a lawyer. I mean, that's wise for anyone who's starting a business venture.

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I believe that rule holds true for music too, I just had to make sure of it first. (The song is now on my myspace page, if any of you care to check it out, the link is in my signature.)

Anyways, I really have no plans for profiting from it (yet). When I have enough songs made I hope to release a demo tape for me to send to some of the companies. that's about as far as my plans go.

Graph is correct, and I'm speaking here as someone who holds a law degree even if she's never used it once. If the lyrics would be objectively considered not to be attacking anyone, and you don't attach any specific names or other details in there that make them specific, then you're safe. You can indeed cite creative license and say the lyrics weren't motivated by any specific event.

Even if the song became wildly famous and someone took issue with it, your prime defense--which is always the one and only winning defense against slander or, in this case, libel, since the song would be written/recorded--is the truth. If you are faced with having to defend a charge of libel and have owned up to having written it about those two, who'd be the plaintiffs, and the statements you make in the song are objectively, provably true, then you're safe from that angle, too.

If you do produce and publish the song through a music label or even a Web site, whoever owns that label or site ought to have an attorney who reviews lyrics for precisely this sort of thing. It's routine CYA protection in the music business.

OK, I just read that you already have it up on MySpace. Better look at the truth factor real quick! MySpace already has some legal troubles on its hands for making online predators so easy. I'm not sure they're particularly protective of their posters. Just be careful and claim creative license. And I sure hope the song doesn't have names or connectable details.

I once took a class about creative license and copyright law. It was about five hours long, and it was so boring. I'm surprised how much it's actually come into my daily life, though. It seems like if you do something well, there'll be five people trying to steal it from you.

That to me was one of the two areas that interested me a lot in law. Contract law and intellectual property/copyright law. I had good teachers in those areas, I guess. As a writer for a corporation, the intellectual property law has come in handy. It's good info to know when you work in a creative field even if the classes are boring!

Yo, no offence but that shits wack and why the fuck are you wearing a do rag?

You know what thats for?

Get at C-way

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Originally Posted by Fattie

Yo, no offence but that shits wack and why the fuck are you wearing a do rag?

You know what thats for?

Get at C-way

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That's your own opinion, and it doesn't bother me at all. I'd appreciate it if you were a bit more constructive in your criticism though, lol.

Durags and bandanas are what I like, so I'm gonna continue to wear them. I don't care for your opinions on my clothes.

Anyways, thanks guys, the creative license issue cleared up all my doubts. birdgirl, I will be careful with Myspace, the song shouldn't be up that long as it is anyway since I have others in production as well. I've already claimed creative license on the page as well.

Again, thanks everyone.

Did you get Eminems permission to use his voice on that track? I'm just saying, that's all. :)

You can't use other samples, or beats, without the proper permission. If this song is just for fun though, then roll with it!

Is that your beat too? I'm just curious, that's all. :)

freedom of speech

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Originally Posted by Nochowderforyou

Did you get Eminems permission to use his voice on that track? I'm just saying, that's all. :)

You can't use other samples, or beats, without the proper permission. If this song is just for fun though, then roll with it!

Is that your beat too? I'm just curious, that's all. :)

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No, I didn't use his permission, but since it's not for commercial or profit use and was released on one of his mixtapes I can legally use it for demonstration and cover purposes.

The beat to the second song was made completely by me, however the first song was indeed Eminem's beat.

Didnt say there was anything wrong with bandanas. Du rags are to keep your hair from getting nappy and shit. Does your hair get nappy?

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Originally Posted by Fattie

Didnt say there was anything wrong with bandanas. Du rags are to keep your hair from getting nappy and shit. Does your hair get nappy?

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Yes, quite often actually.