[WikiEN-l] WikiLyrics

Fri Jan 9 03:17:14 UTC 2004

Actually, I was planning on start a project like that for a while now.
Maybe I'll actually get around to doing it. :-) I believe that lyrics
should be under fair use, and I think that most artists would agree with
me. That's why people who buy music on eBay would more likely bid on CDs
without the liner notes, as opposed to liner notes without CDs. While I
think a lyric project would be a great use of our wiki software, I think
it doesn't really belong on Wikimedia, which has prided itself on open
content. Unless the Wikimedia version restricted its lyrics to public
domain songs or songs under a free (as in freedom) license.

On Thu, 2004-01-08 at 14:16, Kent Wang wrote:
> I was browsing through OHHLA.com (Online Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive) and
> realized that a lyrics archive would be an excellent application of Wiki
> technology. Although OHHLA is the most comprehensive website in its
> genre, there are still many less popular artists that are not covered,
> and most of the pages I've seen contain at least a mistake or two.
> 
> So I think a great new WikiMedia project would be a "WikiLyrics" that
> would cover music lyrics for all genres.
> 
> Hip-hop lyrics are particularly in need for a wiki because they are full
> of slang words and in-references that can be Wikified to articles
> explaining them. Hip-hop albums also rarely come with lyrics sheets
> though ironically, are probably most in need of them.
> 
> I've already Googled for "lyrics wiki" and found no significant hits.
> 
> I'm very enthusiastic about this idea but a major problem that will need
> to be resolved is that almost all lyrics are not open content and the
> GFDL will most certainly be incompatible. Though the RIAA is definitely
> tort-happy, I don't believe there have been any attempts to shut down
> online lyrics websites, especially since they should not undermine
> record sales.
> 
> I eagerly await your comments on this idea.
> 
> Kent Wang
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> WikiEN-l mailing list
> WikiEN-l at Wikipedia.org
> http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikien-l