Free chord charts - any interest?

[BigRedX]

It's a good idea, but I suggest that Ped and the other Basschat owners check that there are no copyright issues with any of the songs published. It would be a terrible thing if Basschat got closed down for IP infringement. 

[MGB]

Fantastic and very kind gesture.

Definitely interested.

[ped]

26 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

It's a good idea, but I suggest that Ped and the other Basschat owners check that there are no copyright issues with any of the songs published. It would be a terrible thing if Basschat got closed down for IP infringement. 

As far as I know, unless it’s official sheet music being shared, enthusiast made resources are fine. Any idea who I could ask otherwise?

[FinnDave]

2 minutes ago, ped said:

As far as I know, unless it’s official sheet music being shared, enthusiast made resources are fine. Any idea who I could ask otherwise?

PRS, maybe?

[BigRedX]

2 minutes ago, ped said:

As far as I know, unless it’s official sheet music being shared, enthusiast made resources are fine. Any idea who I could ask otherwise?

If you are a member of the MU maybe now would be the time to take advantage of their free legal advice service. Personally I wouldn't risk it without it being approved by some with specialist legal knowledge in music copyright and IP.

[ped]

Thanks chaps I’ll try them in the new year. In the meantime, you ain’t seen me, rite 

[Silvia Bluejay]

This discussion on a US-based forum may give us some food for thought: PG Music forum

Edit: also this (again for the US): Avvo.com

Edited December 19, 2017 by Silvia Bluejay

[Dad3353]

I'm not a lawyer, but I've always held the idea that chord sheets aren't copyright. Melodies could be (and usually are...), or whole songs, but not series of chords. I'm a member of several other forums that make available, either as sites or by member's posts, chord sheets for many styles. It won't hurt to check, I suppose, but the example posted is, in my (non-legal-eagle eye view...) OK to have and to hold.

[TheGreek]

Perhaps the beginning of a music library which could be pinned?

[lowdown]

The chord chart posted in the OP,  isn’t totally correct. So you can’t really be done for copyright infringement.

 

But yes, a good gesture. Top marks.

 

[BigRedX]

11 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

I'm not a lawyer, but I've always held the idea that chord sheets aren't copyright. Melodies could be (and usually are...), or whole songs, but not series of chords. I'm a member of several other forums that make available, either as sites or by member's posts, chord sheets for many styles. It won't hurt to check, I suppose, but the example posted is, in my (non-legal-eagle eye view...) OK to have and to hold.

So I'm sorry Dad but your opinion on this matter is simply that, an opinion, and won't help Basschat in the slightest when a big copyright IP lawyer comes after them and closes the forum down.

If you'd taken the time to read through the two links that Bluejay posted, the general consensus appears to be that while a chord sequence on its own isn't subject to copyright as soon as you associate that chord sequence with a song title then it does become copyrightable.

The safest thing is for Basschat to hold off publishing this information (and personally I'd also remove the link in the OP and any subsequent post that quotes it just to be safe) until they have taken some serious legal advice from qualified to give them the right information in this matter.

Sorry to be a bit of a killjoy, but in these instances it always better to play safe than to be sorry. Personally I like Basschat and wouldn't like to see it closed down.

[Dad3353]

Thanks for the correction, BRX.  II'll not thank you for the condescension, though. 

[ikay]

37 minutes ago, lowdown said:

The chord chart posted in the OP,  isn’t totally correct ...

Oops, hopefully BC feedback will help to tidy up any significant slip ups. If the copyright issue doesn't kaibosh the whole idea!

[bassace]

Melodies are copyright, chord sequences aren’t.

[BigRedX]

11 minutes ago, bassace said:

Melodies are copyright, chord sequences aren’t.

Are you a lawyer specialising music copyright and prepared to offer your services for free to Basschat should they need it?

Courts make all sorts of weird decisions when it comes to music copyright. It would be a pity to see Basschat disappear due to poor advice.

[FinnDave]

Having worked with copyright (pictures rather than music, but...) I can only agree with BRX, the whole thing is a minefield ready to trap the unwary and some sort of legitimate legal advice is the only sort worth having. MU or PRS should be able to assist.

[bassace]

30 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

Are you a lawyer specialising music copyright 

No  I’m not a lawyer specialising music copyright (sic).  But take it from me, chords are not subject to copyright.

[BigRedX]

6 minutes ago, bassace said:

No  I’m not a lawyer specialising music copyright (sic).  But take it from me, chords are not subject to copyright.

Are you 100% sure and prepared to stake all your worldly possessions on being right? 

BTW being dyslexic the only way I can make sure what I type is right is if people point out my mistakes so please what is wrong with the phrase "No  I’m not a lawyer specialising music copyright" to warrant it having a "sic" after it in your post? Because I can't see anything wrong with it.

Edited December 19, 2017 by BigRedX

[FinnDave]

I am sure chords are not subject to copyright any more than individual note are, but couldn't guarantee that that applies to chord sequences any more than it does to a sequence of notes (a.k.a. 'melody').

[bassace]

Sorry, I meant chord sequences.

[ped]

8 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

Are you 100% sure and prepared to stake all your worldly possessions on being right? 

BTW being dyslexic the only way I can make sure what I type is right is if people point out my mistakes so please what is wrong with the phrase "No  I’m not a lawyer specialising music copyright" to warrant it having a "sic" after it in your post? Because I can't see anything wrong with it.

I think it’s because it’s missing the word ‘in’

OK enough legal chat (unless we have a lawyer onboard) - leave it with me. Thanks. 

[bazzbass]

play it safe, pm the op

[dand666]

17 hours ago, TheGreek said:

Perhaps the beginning of a music library which could be pinned?

 Try iRealPro for that!

 

The app is fantastic as well. And a huuuuuge library of songs. 

[BigRedX]

14 hours ago, ped said:

I think it’s because it’s missing the word ‘in’

OK enough legal chat (unless we have a lawyer onboard) - leave it with me. Thanks. 

Thanks Ped. I'd have never seen it myself.

I also think that it might be a good idea to remove the link in the OP until you are 100% sure that publishing this is not going to land Basschat in legal trouble for copyright infringement.

[lowdown]

2 hours ago, BigRedX said:

Thanks Ped. I'd have never seen it myself.

I also think that it might be a good idea to remove the link in the OP until you are 100% sure that publishing this is not going to land Basschat in legal trouble for copyright infringement.

Where does that leave all the transcriptions down in the Theory & Technique section? (Note for note lines with accurate chords and correct tune titles - PDF & links)

Just curious really.