Using a song lyric

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  • I am new to this forum and am very glad to see that it is available. I will visit often.

    My immediate concern:

    A college student wishes to use part of the Johnny Cash " I Walk the Line" lyrics as a slogan for a state-wide student government type campaign. Is this a violation of copyright? She will change the wording of most of the line to fit her circumstances, but the "I walk the line" would remain intact.
  • Not a lawyer, here's my take...

    Titles aren't protected by copyright (usually). In this situation, however, you might run afoul of trademark, particularly since this particular line has been receiving a lot of attention recently. I'd look it up from the trademark office:
    http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
    under the search function. It's busy right now, but you can look it up at a later date.

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