Hi all:
I've read a number of Steven King's novels, where he begins a chapter with a verse or two from some very popular rock songs. I've always assumed that he either got permission to do this because he's famous, or he paid for the right, because he's (now) rich, or both. In all cases, I believe, Mr. King did credit the songs' authors.
Are we allowed to quote song lyrics in a story, as long as we attribute them to their author, even if we didn't ask permission?
Is there a character-limit or other quantity limit?
How should the attribution be handled:
a) immediately, in a parenthetical note,
b) in a footnote or endnote, or
c) is it okay to mention, in the text introducing the quote, who the author is?
On a related issue: if radio stations have to pay royalties to bands, or to the bands' record publishers (?), how come bar bands, playing cover songs, all across America most weekend nights, don't have to pay royalties?
Thanks in advance.
Peter
Host of Your Environment Today, at
http://www.rocklandworldradio.com/program/envtoday/
When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”
--Sinclair Lewis
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.
--James Madison