Background Music

J'rome · Post by **J'rome** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:24 pm

This not a question/problem while using MS8...just a concern. I am new at creating videos and such and was wondering what the law is when puchasing (legal) music (iTunes, WalMart...)and using it in the background. Is this allowable and how many copies can one make with the purchased music?

Post by **Ron P.** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:45 pm

Hi J'rome,

That could depend greatly on where you are located. By your posting about Wal-Mart, I could assume the US?

Copyright laws are very strict, technically you can not copy anyones music, even if you purchased it, without the author's permission. You could try to get permission, however that is not as easy as it seems. This is due to everyone involved in producing it. You would need the songwriter's, the band, the recording label's, and on and on... permissions to legally do so. Pretty easy to do right?...

Now with that being said, placing your music on a video for you're own use can be done. Just don't try to sell, or distribute it in any way. I had a client a while back that wanted a video/slideshow done. The client wanted specific music placed on it. What I done was, have the client provide the music, on CD's that the client had purchased. Then I used that, and gave the client the finished DVD, and CD's back. All I done was the work for the client.

Hope that clears it up...

Ron P.

J'rome · Post by **J'rome** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 5:38 pm

Thanks Vidoman I have heard and seen advertising on the net that stated what you said. I just want to be sure of what I can and cannot do legally. I have no intent to copy music and sell it...all my video work is for individuals--no commercial work

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:34 pm

I think you may hear from others on this forum that will say even that is illegal. As Vidoman said

Copyright laws are very strict, technically you can not copy anyones music, even if you purchased it, without the author's permission.

But do we do it? Of course we do - to have a copy in the car, at work, etc. So are the record labels and the songwriter going to hunt you down and burn you at the stake if you're making a video for yourself or a client. No, it's not worth their time or money. But if you're making a video and you're going to sell 1,000 copies on the Internet, that's a different story.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:37 pm

Check out http://www.freeplaymusic.com/, they offer a good-sized library of high-quality sound tracks that can be used either for free, or for a small fee -- the licensing depends on the intended use.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:13 am

You can buy royalty-free music on CDs if you hunt around: it is not really free of royalty, the fees are built into the purchase price (typically $50 for a 1 hr CD), but you can use it ad infinitum. I have one such of ethnic music, but it still has a copyright notice! This is correct, because you don't own the rights to the music, only to use it for your own purposes. If you commercially pirated the disc, you would be liable to pay a scorching fine or even contemplate the scenery from behind bars. IOW, you have licence to use it only for the purpose for which it was intended.

Gra · Post by **Gra** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:23 am

I assume the automusic/ smartsounds included with MSP8 Video editor are useable in any situation?

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:40 pm

I believe the licence to use the few automusic bit'n'pieces is included in the purchase price of MSP8. However, if you look at their web site, to purchase the licence for the high-quality ones or additional ones is not exactly given away.

skorson · Post by **skorson** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:39 pm

I believe the licence to use the few automusic bit'n'pieces is included in the purchase price of MSP8.

How can one find out for sure?

Thanks,
Steve

Brian Cadoret · Post by **Brian Cadoret** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:15 am

I also use Band in a Box 2007 for unlimited royalty free background music.The outlay for the program is not that much considering what you get and with a little musical knowledge can sound as good as anything out there.
Regards
Brian cadoret

MrA · Post by **MrA** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:36 pm

Just throwing my $29.95 in there.. Umm, Ulead no longers offers the Smartsound libraries through their web site. Just a heads up. I recently purchased through Ulead one of the Smartsound cd's that was offered back in April, this year. And after a prolongled, no deleviver/inquirery found out that they no longer offer the purchase through their web site and was refunded my purchase. The Smarstsound web site does provide the purchase directly, however. Just google or yahoo the website for more info..