For any of you who have ever been frustrated by getting a publisher, producer, artist, or ANYONE In the music industry to listen to your songs, one of the PRIMARY REASONS is THIS.

FEAR OF FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS!

Now the "American Lottery" is to SUE someone because they have a word, a title, a melodic phrase that sounds like their song. Listen up folks, EVERY SONG SOUNDS LIKE SOME OTHER SONG!!!!! THERE ARE ONLY 12 NOTES!!!! ONLY SO MANY EMOTIONS, ONLY SO MANY WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU!!!!! You SOUND LIKE SOMETHING ELSE!!! TRUST ME!!!

For that past 20 or so years, people have been suing hit writers left and right and almost ALL OF THEM ARE TOTALLY WITHOUT MERIT. But it costs money to defend them, money to fight them, and all REPUTATBLE companies have STOPPED LISTENING TO ANYTHING FROM ANYONE THEY DON'T KNOW. It is the reason for the "NO UNSOLICTED SONGS" policies.

Recently the entire "Led Zepplin/Stairway to Heaven" Lawsuit, illustrated this perfectly. A totally meritless lawsuit, brought forth by an unscrupulous attorney and an entire money grab. Causing Jimmy Page to say something like "You are asking me if I remember a SONG from the 60's and 70's, I DON'T REMEMBER THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES!!!!"

(I'm paraphrasing).
But it is something organizations like NSAI (Nashville Songwriter's Association International) have been trying to get instituted for years, THE LOSER PAYS.

If someone brings a totally frivolous lawsuit, and LOSE the case, they have to pay all legal fees and court costs. This would cut down on this and bring some much needed common sense back into the equation. Read and learn. If you think someone has STOLEN YOUR SONG, you better be able to prove that they not only did so, but MEANT TO HARM YOU PROFESSIONALLY. Most people just can't make that claim.

By: Marc-Alan Barnette
MAB