Press Release

Music publishers pursue illegal lyric sites
Legal marketplace harmed when unlicensed sites go unchecked
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2009

WASHINGTON—National Music Publishers’ Association members today filed copyright infringement lawsuits against two businesses exploiting unlicensed lyrics for profit through their operation of four web sites and as the source of unauthorized content for numerous web applications.

Peermusic, Warner/Chappell and Bug Music filed an action against LiveUniverse, Inc. and its owner Brad Greenspan in the Federal Court of the Central District of California for willful copyright infringement on a vast scale. These publishers also filed a similar action against Motive Force LLC and its owner Sean Colombo in the Federal Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania. The Music Publishers seek both equitable relief and damages for these infringing companies’ knowing and unlicensed use of the lyrics from musical compositions on their respective web sites and in conjunction with certain web applications.

“Unlicensed web sites exploiting song lyrics for profit have become a significant problem,” said David Israelite, NMPA President and CEO. “These sites are profiting on the backs of songwriters. It is unfortunate that copyright holders must so frequently divert energies to protect their rights to license and distribute their works. However, the demand for music prompts a seemingly endless stream of illegal business models.”

For the past three years, the NMPA has sent cease and desist notices to hundreds of illegal sites, providing multiple warnings and opportunities for the site operators to license the content and operate legally. These efforts have resulted in a significant reduction of illegal sites, as the majority of those contacted have either ceased operation or taken licenses. Unfortunately, Live Universe and Motive Force ignored these notices, resulting in today’s filing.  

“Music fans are the biggest losers when licensed businesses, like LyricFind, Gracenote and TuneWiki can’t survive and prosper because unlicensed, illegal businesses are allowed to thumb their noses at the law,” Israelite said.

“We are confident the courts will conclude that, like Napster and Grokster before them, these sites are simply freeloading off artists and fans,” Israelite said.


About the NMPA
Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is the trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and songwriters in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.