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The Music Publishers' Association (MPA) says such unlicensed publication is illegal and that closing websites and fining their owners is insufficient punishment.

MPA president Lauren Keise said: 'throw in some jail time I think we'll be a little more effective'.

Keise added that the photocopier had hit songwriters and composers' incomes but that the Internet 'is taking more of a bite'.

Keise's remarks follow legal action earlier this week against the developers of software that searches the Web for lyrics. Walter Ritter was forced to withdraw one such application, pearLyrics, after receiving a cease and desist notice from record company Warner/Chappell Music.

The president of the National Music Publishers' Association, another US body, backed Keise's call.

'Unauthorised use of lyrics and tablature deprives the songwriter of the ability to make a living, and is no different than stealing,' he said.