Does it break a law to turn someone's poem into a song?

is it against the law to turn someone elses poem into a song with out there permission?

Answer #1

would you like it if someone made money or got popular by singing a song that you wrote and they gave you know credit? It is illegal to steal. If the author is deceased, do your best to give credit where credit is due and pay necessary royalties.
FUNADVICE LITERATURE
Answer #2

well I think it's wrong, I mean you sound at least ask them. ya knw what I'm saying. and if you do, you need to give them credit for writing it, cause I write a lot of songs, and I wouldn't want someone to take it... ya get what I'm sayin
Answer #3

ask the publisher and you will probably have to pay some money. if you put it out on a cd you would have to give credit to the person who wrote it
Answer #4

I think it is thats copy writting in a way cause your taking there thing and making money off it even if you add a beat in the background
Answer #5

it's wrong but it gets illegal when you use it, make an album and sell millions of records and say it was written by you
Answer #6

Ya it does, you ask them first, its their poem and they get to do what they want with it.
Answer #7

but I mean what if it was someone who is dead?
Answer #8

if it is published or not ,matters
Answer #9

nvm I get it
Answer #10

what?
Answer #11

ok
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