Can a writer use a title from an in print or out of print book for a new book? Then there’s the question of the use of lyrics from songs, can they be used in the title of a book or even used in the book’s content? It’s not surprising that quite a few authors are uncertain about lawful use and what is believed to be copyright infringement, particularly when it comes to using the original works of others. Think, what if book title was subject to copyright? The law courts would be jammed to the rafters with criminal lawsuits. As breaching copyright is actually a criminal offence!
One advantage is that the title of a book cannot be copyrighted, although if it is part of a series like the “Dummies” series then you cannot pass your work off with that as part of the title. Sort of like in this example, “Using Song Lyrics in Book Titles for Dummies”.
A real hazard area is the use of popular songs in book titles and the likes of. Unless permission is first obtained for the use of popular songs being reprinted anywhere, other than what is commonly called “fair use”, musicians and their well paid legal teams do not take kindly to it.
Let us take the example of author George Korankye, he had a burning desire to use the lyrics covered under copyright, namely “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” by Johnny Nash. First he had to write to the copyright holder and ask permission. In some cases this can cause lengthy delays. Many times the request gets shuffled from department to department and no one responds, leaving the author in limbo.
There are successful books out there with titles from song lyrics. First example that swoops to mind: A series of titles from Wally Lamb: “I Know This Much Is True”. “She’s Come Undone”. “Couldn’t Keep It To Myself”. Oh, and of course the George Korankye book “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone”.
The Dunblane heartbreak novel “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” by George Korankye uses the events that happened in’96 when 16 schoolchildren and their teacher were murdered. That tragedy is a template for the book. Although permission was granted to use the title from Johnny Nash’s song, lyrics need permission. Usually a song title falls under “fair use”. Obviously this is something worth checking out, as it may be subject to a trade mark registration.
The novel “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” builds up to a crescendo, and the ending is quite tear jerking, but for all the right reasons. The song by Johnny Nash is quite apt in that the author George Korankye sees it as a song of optimism and courage in overcoming ALL obstacles. From the outset, it mirrors the Dunblane heartbreak and builds towards a more reassuring ending.
Who would think that an African-American pop singer-songwriter mismarkted by ABC Records as another Johnny Mathis would one day have such a hit as “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone”? Born John Lester Nash, Jr. on August’,'40, in Houston, Texas, he went on to change the mainstream acceptance of reggae music by being the first non-Jamaican to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.
Nash began as a pop singer in the’50s, enjoying success as an actor early in his career appearing in the screen version of playwright Louis S. Peterson’s “Take a Giant Step”. Nash won a Silver Sail Award for his performance from the Locarno International Film Festival.
Besides “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” Nash recorded several hits in Jamaica, where he travelled in early’68, as his girlfriend had family links with local TV and radio host and novel writer Neville Willoughby. Nash planned to try breaking the local rocksteady sound in the United States.
“I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” has had numerous cover versions, one by Jimmy Cliff went to number’ in the US in’94. His version was in the John Candy movie “Cool Runnings”, about the Jamaican bobsled team.
Sales of Nash’s hit song “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” shot through the roof, reaching well over seven million copies sold. With his fabulous voice and brilliant music scores, Johnny Nash is still as charismatic as ever. Perfect harmony exists between the George Korankye book and the Johnny Nash song, each meshed in a form of finely tuned synchronicity with the other. With just a little effort and patience applied, the legal status of the song’s copyright was kept intact without George Korankye being ignorant of the laws of copyright. Do ensure that you consult all copyright holders of material you intend to use in books, and stay within the law and out of court.
Radiographer turned novelist George Korankye wrote his first novel, bestowing upon it Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone”“. He secured the legal use of the song lyrics, which are also included in the book. You wil find, just like George Korankye, that it is best to always obtain the lyricist’s agreement for use of any popular song title before using it, as litigation can be costly!
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