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oldsoul · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:35 pm Post subject: Music Copyrights

For those of you who are creating these shows commercially, can you tell me about copyright issues for the music used? Don't you have to get permission to use music or do you use only what's in the public domain? And if you use only public domain, how do you ascertain what's in it? Any other issues to be comcerned about?

rsnow · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 8:08 am Post subject:

I'm no expert in this area but from what I have found out there is not much music available in the public domain. There are several sites on the web where you can purchase music, i.e., www.magnatune.com. Also, if you have a video editing program such as Pinnacle Studio 8, they include the means to create music. Of course what you get with the program is limited and they give you a link to purchase more. My son informs me that there are CDs available in stores that offer royalty free music but I haven't found any yet.

I think it is legal if your customer provides the music from a CD they have purchased. Maybe someone out there is more knowledgeable in these matters and will provide some input for us.

WRANGLER95 · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 9:52 pm Post subject: re music lic in Pinnacle Studio 8

Just an FYI, you should be aware that the music generation software included with Pinnacle Studio 8 (SmartSound) is only licensed for personal use, not commercial use. If you use it in a commercial project and get caught you are deservedly opening yourself up to a potential lawsuit and fines or jail time. You will be reported.

If you want to use music in a commercial project, make sure you obtain an appropriate commercial use license.

nan · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:24 am Post subject:

The commercial use license (SmartSound) is $49 per song. Nowdays its hard to find a generous company like 3D-Album to let you download for free.

Bill Smith · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:18 am Post subject:

I did a Google search, and found several sites that sell you royalty free music which I believe you can use in commercial software. Double check the site to be sure. Here are two of the URLs: http://www.iamusic.com/ and http://www.royaltyfree.com/index.shtml. I have not purchased anything yet, so Ican't say anything about the quality. To find other sites, do a Google search using keywords "royalty free music".

oldsoul · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 11:12 am Post subject:

Thanks to all for your input -- still seems pretty vague but maybe more people will provide info as time goes on.

fortemac · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 3:10 pm Post subject:

Personally, I don't even know what kind of music to put in as most people have their own styles. I'm a music teacher too. I know my tastes are different than a lot of people, so it is a hard decision. Very Happy

Cyndy

johnflemingusa · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject: link

Maybe this site would be helpfull -http://www.loopsound.com/xcart/customer/home.php

What if the person that you were making a slideshow for provided the music, their music, their slideshow.

Tom Carbo

Wrangler95 (previous reply) is correct when it comes to "home based" software such as Pinnacle & ULEAD that uses SmartSound technology. However, he/she is incorrect about SmartSound. SmartSound's SonicFire Pro software is commercial software that provides royalty free music for a nominal cost. Here's how they advertise it:
"Expand your choices with more great selections from SmartSound?s ever-growing library of royalty-free audio content."

I've been using it commercially for over a year. See their website for more information.

http://www.smartsound.com/music/order.html

Hope this helps...

Tom

desert dave · Guest

Check out the article about this at:
http:www.creatingslideshow.com
Cheers,
desert dave Cool

AZ Dave · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject:

Several commercial web sites claim that if the customer owns the CD that has the music on it that they want used in their presentation, it may be used under their "fair use rights of ownership". Copyright law in this area is not clear-cut, and is usually judged on a case-by-case basis. When in doubt, consult a copyright attorney.

Dave

NiteOwl · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject:

I run an independent internet radio station and have done my share of investigating. Here are a couple links and thoughts for those who are checking this thread out.

Any music protected by ascap.com and bmi.com is subject to royalty fees. Further information can be found on either site. However, alternative sources are available, in addition to the aforementioned royalty free disc compilations, of which there are plenty of.

BTW: The discs available through Pinnacle mentioned up above are not worth the price for what you get, unless canned is what you want.

If you are looking for alternative sources, check out the following:

Creative Commons
http://www.creativecommons.org
Licensing regarding independent artists of the copyleft movement, also has an index of independent artists and sources

My Favorite Music Sources

Comfort Stand
http://www.comfortstand.com

Internet Archive
http://www.archive.org
This is where you WILL find PUBLIC DOMAIN music, as well as free to use music. Also has an index to more sources.

Dance Industries
http://www.dance-industries.com
Mostly dance oriented, but other music on the site as well.

SoundClick
http://www.soundclick.com
Just about everything

These are good starting points. If you need just small samples that you can loop, try flashkit.com, they have quite a few short wav and mp3 sound fx and musical clips that are free to use. If you need an editor to create the loops you need, you can get an excellent open source editor at http://audacity.sourceforge.net that works great.

A note on royalties... If you are producing a commercial product, many of the independent artists will be happy to help. You do not need to go through a licensing organization with independents, instead, talk to the artist directly. Also, many artists will let you use their work for just a mention in the credits, which is a fantastic way to help the arts community out. Promotion is their biggest hurdle since they don't have the power of corporately signed artists.

Using the sources above means doing a little digging, but in the hunt, you can find some real gems, just don't let the trash discourage you. Not only that, the music will add a unique flavor to your compilations since this is not your average fair.

On the other hand, if you don't have the time to hunt and pick, royalty free compilations may be the ticket, just expect to pay a lot more than you have to. Personally, I would rather pay the artist than a company that just mass produces the same thing everyone else has, with little to no money going to the artist.

Last but not least, unless you are putting something together for your own enjoyment, do not play with copyright content. If you feel the urge to include a Sarah McLachlan song on a wedding compilation that you are doing for pay, you better get permission, pay the fee and include the fee in your price. It just isn't worth the legal hassle playing with the RIAA.

Well, I hope this helps some of you. I don't know if I'll be back this way, just dropped in to check out the software and decided to check out the support groups as well, so posting a reply is a little sketchy at the moment. Just remember, artists need to eat and pay the bills too. That does not mean you don't have choice though. Need more help? Google it and I'm sure you'll find tons of sources.

Happy New Year!