I have written a short play which uses song titles as dialogue between the characters. Before I start submitting it for production, I'd like some input on legality of their use.
According to LegalZoom:
Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases.
Does anyone here have any experience or information in this area?
Last edited by DWolfman; 01-30-2009 at 12:29 PM.
I don't have an experience, exactly, but as far as I know you can use titles. Lyrics are a no-no, but names are fine.
Thanks, Sparky!
As an example of what I'm concerned about, here is an excerpt from the play:
WOMAN
I got the music in me. Born to boogie.
MAN
Born to be wild!
WOMAN
That’s the way…
MAN
(Nodding comprehension)
Uh huh…Uh huh…
WOMAN
I like it.
MAN
Dancing queen!
It is specifically the "uh huh" I'm concerned about. Legal or no?
Should be fine.
Thanks again, Sparky!
What would you think of repeating a title which makes it similar to a lyric?
For example the song SAY YOU WILL could be used twice as in:
WOMAN: Say you will, say you will!
Which sounds a lot like the lyric of the song.
As far as I know, you can use the title and the artist's name to you heart's delight. More than about two lines from the actual lyrics and you'll have copyright issues, but names are fine.
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