legal issues on my rap music?

[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.

Lethal G Reviewed by Lethal G on 07-18-2006. 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 Rating: 5

[yoda]

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.

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

[Lethal G]

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

One can only dream...

[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.

[make it legal]

arnt most songs influenced from real life situations?

[Lethal G]

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.

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.

[birdgirl73]

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.

[birdgirl73]

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.

[graph]

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.

[birdgirl73]

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!