Song Story

[CommotioCordis]

So lately I've been thinking on what kind of story should I make. I've finally decided to write a compilation of short stories, but what kind of stories?

Isekai? Could probably work, but I'm not feeling quite like it today.
Random? Well, that could always work but I'm afraid it might not fulfil my standard.
Horror? Personally, I preferred Fantasy more, but I might give it a second thought.
Comedy? I do love myself a good comedy, but a good comedy is too high a hurdle for a newbie author such as myself.
Romance? For a guy with zero dating experience, definitely a no.

Then I got into thinking, I've been into J-Pop lately so... Why not, let's say, write a story based on the lyrics of a song? I could also put the original lyrics and my (attempt of a) translation of the song's lyrics as well so I could improve my Japanese.

So what'd you think about it? Was I even allowed to do that? And if it is allowed and I did write it, would it be considered a fanfic or original story?

 

[AliceShiki]

You're totally allowed to do it, everyone bases their story on something, there is no problem in basing it on a song.

I'd say it's an original story, it would only be a fanfic if you borrowed characters/setting from the source... And considering we're talking about a song, I doubt there is enough stuff to borrow from other than a basic outline.

 

[CommotioCordis]

You're totally allowed to do it, everyone bases their story on something, there is no problem in basing it on a song.

I'd say it's an original story, it would only be a fanfic if you borrowed characters/setting from the source... And considering we're talking about a song, I doubt there is enough stuff to borrow from other than a basic outline.

Thank you. I was actually quite a worrywart and tend to overcomplicate simple problems that wasn't even a problem if you think about with the slightest bit of common sense. Dunno why, it just occurs a lot to me.

 

[yansusustories]

You're totally allowed to write a story based on lyrics. I'd be worried about this part though:

I could also put the original lyrics and my (attempt of a) translation of the song's lyrics as well

Normally, song lyrics are copyrighted as well so just from a legal standpoint, you're likely not allowed to include them. That might depend on where you live though. I know for a fact that it's forbidden here and people have gotten lawsuits because of such stuff even if it wasn't the full song but just a few lines. Anyway, you'll only get into trouble if somebody notices and takes offense which might be unlikely but it's your call to make whether or not you want to take that risk.

 

[CommotioCordis]

You're totally allowed to write a story based on lyrics. I'd be worried about this part though:

Normally, song lyrics are copyrighted as well so just from a legal standpoint, you're likely not allowed to include them. That might depend on where you live though. I know for a fact that it's forbidden here and people have gotten lawsuits because of such stuff even if it wasn't the full song but just a few lines. Anyway, you'll only get into trouble if somebody notices and takes offense which might be unlikely but it's your call to make whether or not you want to take that risk.

Oh yea, I forgot those existed. I might rethink about it later. What if I just add my translation of it, then? I was thinking of splitting each song into two chapters, one about my story and the other is my attempted translation of the song and probably some discussion of the meaning behind the lyrics, or in-depth explanation of what the songwriter probably meant to convey.

 

[yansusustories]

Oh yea, I forgot those existed. I might rethink about it later. What if I just add my translation of it, then? I was thinking of splitting each song into two chapters, one about my story and the other is my attempted translation of the song and probably some discussion of the meaning behind the lyrics, or in-depth explanation of what the songwriter probably meant to convey.

So all of this just relies on my own understanding and this is not any legally binding advice :p But, I'd say the same thing still applies:
Legally, the right to translate (and publish that translation) is acquired by getting a license to do so because whoever holds the copyright can decide who is allowed to do so or not (same with rights like distribution and stuff). They can sell these kinds of rights and then the ones getting those rights might have the right to further give that right to somebody else depending on what's in the contract they made with the original rights holder.

Anyway, you normally can't just translate stuff without infringing on somebody else's rights. The whole translation of novels is the same thing: No, it's normally not legal unless a license was bought or the original copyright holder was at least asked for their consent and gave that. Like, they don't have to sell that right. They could just grant it because they'd like to see a translation or whatever. As long as nobody notices or cares, it won't be a problem. But if they do, then you'd get a webnovel case where they can send you a cease and desist order and sue you in the worst case if you don't comply. That's their right to do because people didn't acquire a license beforehand and aren't actually allowed to publish that translation. (You can totally make one for yourself. It's the publishing where you get into trouble, I'd say.)

 

[CommotioCordis]

So all of this just relies on my own understanding and this is not any legally binding advice :p But, I'd say the same thing still applies:
Legally, the right to translate (and publish that translation) is acquired by getting a license to do so because whoever holds the copyright can decide who is allowed to do so or not (same with rights like distribution and stuff). They can sell these kinds of rights and then the ones getting those rights might have the right to further give that right to somebody else depending on what's in the contract they made with the original rights holder.

Anyway, you normally can't just translate stuff without infringing on somebody else's rights. The whole translation of novels is the same thing: No, it's normally not legal unless a license was bought or the original copyright holder was at least asked for their consent and gave that. Like, they don't have to sell that right. They could just grant it because they'd like to see a translation or whatever. As long as nobody notices or cares, it won't be a problem. But if they do, then you'd get a webnovel case where they can send you a cease and desist order and sue you in the worst case if you don't comply. That's their right to do because people didn't acquire a license beforehand and aren't actually allowed to publish that translation. (You can totally make one for yourself. It's the publishing where you get into trouble, I'd say.)

I just realized that in modern times the term "rights" had been put on practically everything. It got me into thinking that if I save someone from killing themself, would I be infringing on their right to die or would I actually prolong their right to live? I might think too much of it, but guess I'll just play it safe for now.

 

[yansusustories]

if I save someone from killing themself, would I be infringing on their right to die

Well ... this is definitely rhetorical but for the heck of it: I guess it depends on where you live but as far as I'm aware over here, you would not be infringing on any of their rights and, in fact, you'd have to try to stop them, otherwise that'd be nonassistance of a person in danger or something similar and that'd be breaking the law.

Anyway, I'm probably part of a minority opinion here but I think that copyright isn't taken nearly seriously enough nowadays. There is so much infringement going on that the rights holders can't do anything about that it's maddening.
Just take a moment to imagine this: You painstakingly wrote your stories over weeks or months, put in hours and hours of work next to your job, taking care of your family, meeting with friends or whatever else it is that you do. And then somebody else takes those stories and sells them - maybe even as their own - without most people ever knowing that you were the original author. They might also translate them and still never say that they are and once again, nobody ever knows they're actually your stories and how much work you poured into them. How would that make you feel?
I know some people don't care about that and would just say 'Oh, well, as long as people liked it' but for the rest, this damn hurts. In fact, I've seen authors give up their entire careers because their rights were infringed on so often that they just couldn't take it anymore. I'd say that's a sad fact. Reflects really badly on the way intellectual property is treated in our times.