Lyrics Aggregation Software Maker

Music Publisher Apologizes to Lyrics Aggregation Software Maker

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 20, 2005 - 7:14am.
San Francisco - Music publisher Warner/Chappell Music has apologized to a lyrics website operator after sending a threatening cease-and-desist letter, and in fact now plans to collaborate with him, according to published reports. Publishers have taken steps to shut down websites that offer databases of song lyrics, which are copyrighted works owned by publishers and songwriters. But the operator of PearLyrics, a free software program that aggregates song lyrics available online and imports them into iTunes, received an apology from Warner/Chappell after becoming the target of similar action. "The goal of Warner/Chappell's prior letter to Pearworks was to gain assurance that PearLyrics operated according to [legal] principles," the apology reads. "However, in both tone and substance, that letter was an inappropriate manner in which to convey that inquiry. Warner/Chappell apologized to Walter Ritter and Pearworks."