to use or not to use copyrighted music

[ifixem]

I'm wondering if there are other video enthusiast that can help me with a dilema. I make home videos that are sometimes duplicated and given to other family members. Not to violate copyright laws associated with music tracks I am finding it difficult to include these on my movie projects. I am aware of royalty free music sites but these are pricey as well. I'm wondering if any of you can help me with this situation with any suggestions to ulilize music soundtracks and stay within the legal requirements without taking out a second mortgage. Thank you.

[Ron P.]

To Error on the side of caution is wise..

If it is just family members, I don't see the music cops showing up on your doorstep, but better safe then sorry.

Some possibilities would be expanding your SmartSound Library. It can get a bit pricey, however you have the option of purchasing and downloading single songs. If you break down the cost of a CD, to price per song, it averages out between $8-10 per song.

Next along that same line, something that I recently done was to purchase SonicFire Pro 4.5. You get with the Standard Edition 2 CDs of music, which are their Strata Series.

Another method is to compose your own. There are numerous programs available, where you can compose your music. The downside is that you need to have some understanding of music composition, and time.

There are other music packages available like Stack Traxxs from Digital Juice.

[Clevo]

I'm planning on doing something similar and distributing within the family (10 copies max).

I'm going to use copyrighted music, I have sent the band inviolved an e-mail asking for permission. I'm going to use it anyway but what I'm also going to do is to include their details in the credits, i.e. Band & track name, website details.

Techinically I am still breaching copyright and I am aware of that.

[Radioman62]

I agree with Clevo.

Offcource you can have such music on family videos for family members. You are not earning money on it and if you give credits to the authors in the "aftermovie titles" it will maybe up the selling.

I use to try to play "the right" kind of copyrighted music on my family videos. The memory comes to you right in the head and stomach when you play exactly the kind of music which was on the toplists for the time the video was shot.
It can be the last detail that finally brings the tears to flow. When I did my videos when my children was born I went that path. It wasn't any big deal then. But today the feelings is there when we, together in the family looks at the videos.

Come on , bring the cops to my home If they havent anything else to do

[skier-hughes]

I agree with Clevo.

Offcource you can have such music on family videos for family members. You are not earning money on it and if you give credits to the authors in the "aftermovie titles" it will maybe up the selling.

Of course you can't legally.

Most places in the world offer you the right to play the music you have purchased a licence for. You have no rght to copy it or to use it in videos, even if only you are going to watch it.

Now as with anything illegal, it all depends on whether you think you will be caught or not, which is why criminals take part in crime, they rate their chances of being caught and then go ahead or not!!

So to answer your question, I'd go for recording your own, using programmes to mix your own or to purchase copyright free music.

[Clevo]

Many countries have what's called "standard practice" in their copyright laws. It's why no-one has had their doors kicked-down for using music in their non-commercial videos.

However... I don't know how Youtube get-away with it.

[Black Lab]

Typically, for my personal use I will use popular music. For a DVD I make for someone else I only use royalty free music.

Read this thread (from another forum) for some interesting facts about copyright and fair use.

While you're at Digital Juice you may want to check out their StackTraxx and BackTraxx. They are very high quality. They are a bit pricey too, but are always having deals (VERY good deals ). If you are serious about using royalty free music then you are going to have to pay the piper.

I'm going to use copyrighted music, I have sent the band inviolved an e-mail asking for permission. I'm going to use it anyway but what I'm also going to do is to include their details in the credits, i.e. Band & track name, website details.

Techinically I am still breaching copyright and I am aware of that.

I would think twice about this approach. By doing this you are acknowledging that you are breaking the law (if you were to be caught ). Just use the music, play dumb, and fall on the mercy of the court.

[Radioman62]

I agree with Clevo.

Offcource you can have such music on family videos for family members. You are not earning money on it and if you give credits to the authors in the "aftermovie titles" it will maybe up the selling.

Now as with anything illegal, it all depends on whether you think you will be caught or not, which is why criminals take part in crime, they rate their chances of being caught and then go ahead or not!!

I'm definately criminal then And the worst, I'm not even regret what I have done. I wonder if there are any one else on this forum or is it just me?

In real life. How many is purchasing copyright free music for all music they have on their homevideos they looking at in the family?

Maybe I'm the only uncivilized crazy fellow here ?

I still think this is ridiculous nonsense when it comes to family videos for the near and dear.
There is crimes out there but this one must be of low priority. How much will it hurt the author of the music ?
If I copy some tunes from different music CD's to one "my best off" CD, I burn for using in my car. That is also formally illegal i presume ? Anyone doing such illegal stuff here ?
There is something called common sense, but people have forgotten what it was.

[Hugo]

I use commercial music in all my 'home' movies. How can you show a family vacation to England without the 'The Clash' singing 'London Calling'.

So here's a question. I recently filmed my step-daughter in the local middle school band, marching through the street for Memorial Day. They were playing the theme tune to "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

Should the school be paying royalties for a public performance of a copyrighted piece of music, and in turn, should I be paying for recording and distributing said music, albeit only to family members.

If I record a football game and the crowd burst into song with "You'll Never Walk Alone" do I have to mute it or pay for it?

I'm sure if you are creating an Indie production and selling it off for a profit then there is likely to be a price to pay, but otherwise I think this basically comes under the same heading as buying a CD, dropping it on to your MP3 player and listening to it in the car, while jogging, sitting on the bus etc. It's copied - it's illegal - nobody cares.

Paul

[Clevo]

Typically, for my personal use I will use popular music. For a DVD I make for someone else I only use royalty free music.

Read this thread (from another forum) for some interesting facts about copyright and fair use.

While you're at Digital Juice you may want to check out their StackTraxx and BackTraxx. They are very high quality. They are a bit pricey too, but are always having deals (VERY good deals ). If you are serious about using royalty free music then you are going to have to pay the piper.

I'm going to use copyrighted music, I have sent the band inviolved an e-mail asking for permission. I'm going to use it anyway but what I'm also going to do is to include their details in the credits, i.e. Band & track name, website details.

Techinically I am still breaching copyright and I am aware of that.

I would think twice about this approach. By doing this you are acknowledging that you are breaking the law (if you were to be caught ). Just use the music, play dumb, and fall on the mercy of the court.

The music I'm using is from an uknown folk band who I suspect wouldn;t mind the very little extra exposure.

If it was U2's latest hit I would think twice, especially if using it on YouTube.

[Black Lab]

How much will it hurt the author of the music ?

Put it this way. How would you feel if someone took your video, one that you took hours and hours to perfect, and made changes to it and copied it, without your permission?

[Black Lab]

So here's a question. I recently filmed my step-daughter in the local middle school band, marching through the street for Memorial Day. They were playing the theme tune to "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

Should the school be paying royalties for a public performance of a copyrighted piece of music, and in turn, should I be paying for recording and distributing said music, albeit only to family members.

I believe schools do have to pay for the music they play. I know churches do. And, technically, you would not be allowed to distribute your video tape with that copyrighted music on it.

I actually went thru this a couple of years ago. I wanted to tape a volleyball tournament and sell the "highlight" DVD. During the tournament a DJ played music which could be heard in the background. I did not want to mute the music, as I wanted to record all the ambient sounds of the tournament. I was advised that having that music was not legal. Technically, this is the same for wedding receptions.

But what I really think this boils down to is personal vs. commercial use. Will the record companies come after you for using popular music in a home video? I doubt it. How about for a DVD for which you are going to sell 10 copies (a wedding video)? Probably not. What if you are selling 1,000 copies? Then maybe you should hire a lawyer.

[Radioman62]

How much will it hurt the author of the music ?

Put it this way. How would you feel if someone took your video, one that you took hours and hours to perfect, and made changes to it and copied it, without your permission?

I would appreciate it and be flattered (if I heard about it ). If I'm famous it would clearly show I was the author of the altered clip. And if it's for the family near and dear and he or she doesn't earn money on my work it's fine with me.

To steal anything and pretend you have done it all, is bad behaviour though But again, if they don't earn money on it and only show it for the near and dear it's his carma that he have to live with. I don't loose anything.

[Black Lab]

Aslo, don't forget (as I sometimes tend to do) that we are speaking across oceans and that the laws here may not be the same as where you are.

[Radioman62]

Aslo, don't forget (as I sometimes tend to do) that we are speaking across oceans and that the laws here may not be the same as where you are.

Maybe

But don't forget, whats happen in US also comes to sweden, sooner or later.
Nowdays it seems everyone sue each other in US. Every individual which are employed and earn his money also have his personal lawyer

Tell me I'm exaggerating please, or has it gone this far over there