The Unlitigated Case: A Study of the Legality of Guitar Tablatures

Boston College Intellectual Property and Technology Forum, Forthcoming

18 Pages Posted: 26 Feb 2009

See all articles by James T. Tsai

James T. Tsai

Case Western Reserve University School of Law; George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Date Written: February 24, 2009

Abstract

Guitar tablature Web sites have been the subject of recent cease-and-desist letters, forcing most to shut down. Litigation has been side-stepped with the arrival of new creative means to continue operation. The case that may have gone to court is discussed here, ranging from the appropriate legal claims of copyright infringement to the fair-use-defense arguments that would have been made. Policy solutions are considered to resolve the tension between the public's desire to use such tablatures and the copyright owners of the original artists.

Keywords: copyright, fair use, guitar tablature

Suggested Citation

Tsai, James T. and Tsai, James T., The Unlitigated Case: A Study of the Legality of Guitar Tablatures (February 24, 2009). Boston College Intellectual Property and Technology Forum, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1348799

James T. Tsai (Contact Author)

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Case Western Reserve University School of Law ( email )

11075 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106-7148
United States

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