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> Do you have some sort of different understanding of copyright law where it's legal to commercially use lyrics (verbatim, mind you) without a license?

Some places have a concept of de minimus as applied to copyright. It is often not prosecuted to have an acoustic guitar and an open case and play music on a park bench. You may need a license for busking in some places - but that's not tied to the music that you play (it could be your own or it could be covers).

I am not saying that it is legal, but rather that it is beneath the notice of the courts.



De minimus is when you only use a small portion of the lyrics, so it is not considered infringement.




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