Brighton, MA asked in Copyright for Florida

Q: Can I create a website that features playlists with artists' music and make money off advertisements?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Will Blackton
Will Blackton
Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • Raleigh, NC

A: If you mean creating playlists which include the associated music files, you cannot legally do what you asked about.

If you mean merely posting the names of songs and artists in an orchestrated order as a text file on a website, there wouldn't be an issue under copyright law in this scenario, names and short phrases are not subject to copyright protection. It's unlikely that you would open yourself up to liability for trademark infringement, but it's possible depending on the nature and circumstances of your usage.

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