Including mp3s on a web site

Don't know if this is the place to post this--but--

From what I understand, it is illegal to have mp3's for download on your site, by artists, other than yourself, and those that have permission to do this.

Does this apply ONLY to ENTIRE MP3's, and are ALL formats of songs by others, in part or whole, illegal to have for download on your site?

I am tabbing for guitar very many small ( a few seconds each) clips from a bunch of songs, and would like to have the mp3, with all 70 or so clips there, either in one, or a few mp3's so that people can play the tab, and also hear it in it's original form from the artist's recording--

Any help, and ideas where I can find the leagl info on this without paying a lwayer, is MOST appreciated--
Again, sorry if this should not be posted here--
Thanks, Bob

Thread moved to Business Help.

Thanks for putting this in the right forum--
Any ideas on this? It is a free site, only to help people learn how to transcribe.
Bob

Even though if you put in clips you need artist's permission. doesnt matter how short it is.

Thanks, bombaywala, for all your help!
Bob

Any part of any song which is protected by copyright (pretty much anything written during the 20th century or later) you must secure permission to distribute. You seem to be actually needing to cover two distinct rights of copyright:

1. Right to perform
2. Right to print/display

Which are separate. You need both publishing right and a limited use broadcast/performance license for each and every song you include distinctly. Your purpose is wholly irrelevant. HFA can likely help with the distribution license. You need to secure a right to reprint from the publisher for the sheet music/tab aspect.

It matters not that your files are mp3, wma, real audio, flash, wav, etc. It is copyright law, mp3 is just another "record".

see also:
copyright.gov
songfile.com

Well,
doesn't the online music stores have the right to publish samples of songs on the Internet?
How the amazon.com and other similar companies work, I wonder.

I have understood that If you sell music, then you have the right to make available those 30 sec samples.
It benefits both the client and music companies.

Amazon, etc. have secured permission from the record companies is how.