Editing Copy Writed Audio For Personal Video ¡V Any Utility.

oka · Post by **oka** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:12 am

This might be off (VideoStudio) topic, but I encountered this issue when trying to add audio into my video. My issue has to do with audio editing from a copy writed audio file.

Well maybe I am still behind in the copywrite laws out there. I feel that when I purchase a track, it is my property. I just bought three tracks I cannot edit. The issue is that I love editing music - cut-n-paste to make the track longer, or remove some parts or clean up the scratchy string of the finger on the guitar string. With a copywrited track, I cannot. Some tracks I like to use some of its segments in my video.

I finally found two sites I can purchase music with my PayPal account, but cannot edit the tracks. Maybe I am asking for two much. Is there any site out there that sells with PayPal, and with uncopywrited tracks to purchase? Buy.com and iTunes accepts PayPal for track purchases.

I know I am the only one listening to my tracks so I will like to have my music the way I want it. DVDShrink is pretty good for vide; is there any utility out there like DVDShrink to edit my audio (copywrited)?

Thanks in advance.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:30 am

Basically you cannot normally edit copyrighted material.
You will find some small print somewhere that normally reads something along the lines of this example taken from the end user licence agreement for VideoStudio.

2. Use of the Software: You May:(1) use the Software on any single computer, provided that the Software is in use on only one computer at a time. The software is " in use" on a computer when it is loaded into the temporary memory(i.e. RAM) or installed into the permanent memory (i.e. hard disk) of that computer. (2) make a single copy of the Software solely for backup or archival purposes. (3) permanently transfer all your rights to use the Software to another person or legal entity provided that you transfer this Agreement, the Software, and all accompanying written materials, provided that you retain no copies of the Software or written materials and that the other party agrees to the terms of this License Agreement. You May Not: (1) make, or have made, any form of copy, whether digital, printed, photographic or otherwise, of the Software, except insofar as such Software may be incorporated by you into on-screen or printed material. (2) place, or have placed the Software on an electronic bulletin board or other form of on-line service. (3) use, or have used, the Software in any form of pornography, or in any matter which is in any way defamatory of any person or business entity in any such image, or which implies any form of endorsement by the Software, its suppliers, its licensors, or any individual or entity depicted in the Software . (4) reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the Software. (5) modify, adapt, translate, rent, lease, loan or create derivative works from the Software. (6) export the Software in any form without the appropriate United States and foreign government licenses.

This is a standard type of wording for almost anything ranging from a piece of software to a piece of music.

bop · Post by **bop** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:07 am

I have never bought audio online however i remember reading about someone having to burn a copy protected song to a cd then ripping it to the pc for personal use in a project.

Just remember as Steve pointed out to do anything but listen to YOUR music is not legal

Brian

etech6355 · Post by **etech6355** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:10 pm

Copy protected music files, where the protection is in the music file, the protection format is a licensed & registered patent (by law).
It wouldn't be legal for any software to directly edit any music files that have this protection in the files. They aren't allowed (by law) to bypass/decode and remove the protection format from the file.
The company would be in violation if it removed this protection.

So this persons music files are both copy protected & copyrighted.
We all know the copyright issues.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:00 pm

As a person who dabbles with the guitar, the "scratchy" sound the finger makes when it goes from fret to fret or string to string is natural and just a part of playing guitar. I'm sure if it didn't belong there the professional musician and the professional recording engineer would have removed it.

Think of it this way. Would you want someone to purchase one of your videos, something you've worked very hard to make, then have them edit it so they can have the video the way they want it?

NoM.O · Post by **NoM.O** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:33 pm

Never heard of a remix Jeff?

On one hand I have to agree with you, when it comes to things like editing out noise of the fingers on a guitar string, that is just ludicrous. On the other hand, as someone who dabbles in sampling and music production, I can definitely see where the OP is coming from.

As for the OP's original question, etech6355 is on the money. The problem here isn't copyright, but copy protection. To remove this protection is illegal.

peace.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:11 pm

Never heard of a remix Jeff?

If you have the permission from the author/producer then it is ok. If you don't then it's copyright infringement.

I'm not sure where you are in the world, but these are from the US Copyright Law:

Federal law protects copyright owners from the unauthorized reproduction, adaptation, performance, display or distribution of copyright protected works.

The "fair use doctrine" of federal law is a complicated area. Basically, it limits the extent of property interest granted to the copyright holder. For example, this might allow citizens to cite a quotation from copyrighted material when the excerpt is used for teaching, research, news reporting, comment, criticism or parody.

There are some limitations. Whether the court allows you to reproduce, distribute, adapt, display and/or perform copyrighted works depends upon the nature of the use (commercial purposes, non-profit, educational), the length of the excerpt, how distinctive the original work is, and how the use will impact the market for the original work.

Generally speaking, one is not allowed to take the "value" of a song without permission, and sometimes that value is found even in a three-second clip. When in doubt, it is always wise to check with the copyright owner, because in many cases even a small clip of a song may not be "fair use."

Well maybe I am still behind in the copywrite laws out there. I feel that when I purchase a track, it is my property.

Don't get me wrong. I know editing, trading, and who knows what else is going on everyday. But the OP suggested a lack of knowledge regarding copyright laws. All I am doing is giving him some info so he can make an informed decision. What it boils down to is this: when you buy a music cd, movie on dvd, whatever, it is not yours to do with it whatever you like. Just ask Napster and it's users.

NoM.O · Post by **NoM.O** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:25 pm

Sorry Jeff, I was just poking fun

. I am familiar with the laws (ours in Australia are very similar), and you're right, common practice doesn't negate the law. I suppose my angle on things is slightly skewed, given the music I listen to/make is generally sample based, but that's another discussion altogether, so I'll shut up now.

Again, my apologies, I didn't mean to muddy the waters any more than they already are.

peace.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:42 pm

No apology necessary. No harm, no foul.