Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Oh drat!

I had what I thought was the greatest idea, even had a design in the works, then I had this moment of, ahem, illumination. This is not going to work.

My idea was to use a wonderful quote about light and do a piece in the style of an illuminated manuscript page. A two-fer, using the theme in two ways, as it were. Then it occurred to me that the quote is undoubtedly protected by copyright. It is a song lyric. I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner. It was only as I was thinking about potential possibilities that some or all of these pieces might someday be published that the lightbulb went on.

So drat. I am back in the dark again. (this illumination theme is useful.) I have nothing.

So since I won't be using it for my challenge piece, I guess I can, at the least, share this lovely thought.

"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen, Anthem

11 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

You are totally correct on that. I sought out permission to use a song title and found out that one can use the title without permission but needs to have permission for lyrics.

Kristin L said...

It's a lovely quote. Can you contact Cohen's music label and ask for permission? Or is it possible to find a way to contact Cohen directly?

Terry Grant said...

I did think of trying to get permission, but I think if it is ever published it would require further permissions and perhaps fees, so I am just thinking it is getting too complicated.

said...

Didn't that Buddha dude say that when he done got illuminated/enlightened all he got was 'nothing'?

Unknown said...

k Diane or brenda - I think they know a whole lot mote than me about USlaw / copyright law but I have a sneaking feeling that - at least here - a short quote from a work is not a breach of copyright - the whole lyrics would be.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. If there's an issue with using an extract of lyrics (and I don't know if there is or not), it will arise as soon as you display your quilt online, regardless of whether it is later published in the print media.

Anonymous said...

On second thoughts, I can see how publishing a quilt featuring lyrics in a book (for example) may constitute a commercial use and attract different treatment. I'm going to do some more investigating! In the meantime,pursuing another idea is certainly a safe course of action.

Deborah Boschert said...

What a wonderful quote. Thanks for sharing it regardless of whether it will be in your quilt or not.

Anonymous said...

Brenda you have a lot of "I think" in your ideas of what is or is not possible. Do you "think" that this phrase might be an obstacle for lots of things for you? DO check and be sure - one way or another - and free up yourself and your creativity.

Besides, as long as you give Cohen due credit for the words you are acknowledging they are his and not yours.

And "there is nothing new under the sun". Where did Cohen get these words from in the first place? probably knitted/woven/sewn from different sources? hmmm? hmmm? anne

PS thanks for being you and sharing your work.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...I'm not sure if this comment is directed at me or Terry. Either way, being copyright conscious is not a bad thing.

Unknown said...

Brenda, I've emailed you about this.