mp3.com, what's the deal?

[Fleghand]

Just wondering, I got as far as signing up, but was cautious about posting any music since I don't have any copyrights on my work; what's the scene with these dudes? Are they safe? What about piracy and all that? I see that there are some people here who have their work posted there, so could you be so kind as to let me know some of your experiences? Is it a safe way to go to get your music on the net, or would I be better off paying for my own webpage? Do I need to copyright my material first? It's not exceptionally cheap to copyright, and I am always producing more, so I want to wait until I have a good repertoire before I go ahead and drop the cash to register it... there's another string to go on, copyrighting... anyone got any advice on that?

'Nuff.
Thanks.

[Enlightend]

I believe the Library of Congress(in the USA)would be the place to research Musical Copyright information. Unless they've changed the laws since I last checked, your music is automatically protected by law as long as it has 3 things on it: 1)Your full name 2)Year composed 3)the word "Copyright"/ the letter "c" with a circle around it/or another equivalent.

Unless I'm mistaken, you mainly need to register your piece when you want to bring suit. But of course it's nice to have songs registered there, I have several and it's cool. In addition to the documentation, your song should be in an archive long after you've kicked the bucket.

There is a "poor man's copyright" I've heard mentioned, like sending a copy of your song to yourself, and not opening it(proof of date). There are probably other ways.....

You might check out The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, I've been researching them and they look great. I think there are other similar organizations.
Maybe, if you had a song on file with them, that could be used as solid evidence in court, along with your appropriately-labeled composition, don't know though....

I think you can register a bunch of songs at one time(for one fee) with the Library of Congress, just do it as one work/title with lots of sub-songs/movements or whatever......even if it's not ideal at least you're saving tons of moolah....

Hope that helped -

[jecahn]

Originally posted by Fleghand:
...since I don't have any copyrights on my work.

Yes you do. Your material is copywritten as soon as you create it. Period.

Now, as far as whether or not MP3.COM is actually any good. That's another story all together.

[narcoman2]

Jecahns right,
As soon as its written you are protected under ALL copyright law. The problem is you may be called on to PROVE your copyright if someone infringes your rights in the future...and that's the point of ensuring people know that they're your tunes !!

cheers

[Fleghand]

I neglected, dear brothers, to mention one major flaw in my character:

I'm a Canadian.

Laws are different here, so I'm not sure that all that you've said is applicable to me.

However, I would be interested in hearing from those who actually have had any experiences with the good folks at mp3.com.

Should I? Shouldn't I?

A'ight. Thanks.

[Michael Quayle]

Fleghand,

I am surprised you are even concerned for copyright, given your flagrant disregard for it in Dubious Alibis post over on Production Tips and Techniques. But for reference, copyright law is international, and that includes SOFTWARE. How you can so openly enquire about protecting your moral rights to the results of your own blood sweat and tears and yet open advocate the vilation of others is beyond me.

[jecahn]

Good call Michael! Fleghand needs to observe everyone else's copyright before (s)he can expect others to pay him the same consideration. At least if you're stupid enough to steal, you'd think that you'd have the common sense to keep your mouth shut about it. I guess common sense ain't so common. Shame on you, Fleghand!

[bombastique]

and it comes full circle again.

karma has it's day.

what comes around, goes around.

[Fleghand]

Yes, you're right, morality IS subjective... I believe it's what's called self-righteousness, euphimistically, that causes us to deign others beneath our own virtues, however.

[This message has been edited by Fleghand (edited 11-03-2002).]

[jecahn]

Alright... I'll bite (against my better judgement.) Morality may be subjective and that can be argued. Copyright law, however is not. (That's the "law" part, for informational purposes.)

You don't have to think that stealing software is wrong. That's your decision. I think that it's wrong but there's no reason that you have to; especially since I don't buy into the whole argument that people stealing software makes it cost more for legit users to buy that software.

However, regardless of that decision it is STILL illegal. Violation of copyright is illegal. Based on that knowledge, you can make a decision as to whether or not you care about that fact. Some people steal software and don't think that it's wrong. Some people steal software and know it's wrong and do it anyway. Some people would buy software if they could and know that it's wrong to do it but do it anyway. Some people buy software and know that it's wrong to steal.

It doesn't matter what your "moral" stance on stealing is. Stealing is still illegal.

What you CANNOT do is decide that it's okay to violate someone else's copyright and expect everyone else to observe yours. It's a simple case of "fiscal dialectic" theory at its most basic.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

[Robert D]

Gawd, did I read that right Fleghand? Self Rightous? Jeez, quit while your just a hypocrate! Being Canadian may be far from your "one charachter flaw".
RD

[Fleghand]

I'd prefer not to dignify this thread with a response, but I'll not allow this issue to be left as is.

It's one thing to be an upstanding citizen, it's another to sit on a high horse; and I'm afraid the two are mutually exclusive.

This conversation has quickly degraded into a vindictive release for anyone who is otherwise unable to dominate others. The tone I sense from these accusitive posts are haughty, at best, and do not demonstrate an actual desire to help, moral fibre, or even reasonable knowledge base.

I would go as far to say that the posters of these messages are more intent on demonstrating their superiority to others than on supporting others or, God forbid, developing their own character.

I'll not speak on this further.

On that note, I believe it was the great WaR that said, "Why can't we be friends?"

[jecahn]

We can be friends. I'm not saying that you're a bad guy. I'm just saying that you have to see the irony in your support of cracked / illegal software and the simultaneous desire to protect the same thing that you're violating when it is yours. This is like guy who is constantly cheating on their girlfriends and are shocked and amazed when they discover that their girlfriend is doing the same thing behind their backs. No one likes it when it happens to them.

As I said before, I could care less if you or anyone else uses illegal software. However, I could also care less whether someone violates your copyright.

No one here is "dominating" you or being "vindictive". We're having a discussion. No one is preventing you from saying what's on your mind and just because we disagree doesn't mean that we aren't still discussing. If you think that you have valid points of discussion, provide them and support them.

And, while I support you as a member of this forum and a fellow musical artist, I must say that: no, I don't support your right to protect your copyright in view of your disregard for the same of others. But that doesn't make me a bad guy or you a good guy. And, if someone DID violate your copyright, the courts certainly aren't going to base their decision on MY opinion. And if posting anonymous messages on the internet makes me or infers my "superiority"... then I'd suggest that you and I both need to get out and get some fresh-air more often. http://www.audioforums.com/forums/wink.gif

Nobody is accusing you of anything that you didn't freely admit. No one is preventing you from developing your character. Instead, I'd suggest that by helping you to be honest and consistent (if not moral, because that's your decision) we ARE helping you to fortify your character.

[Robert D]

Honestly, while you're putting on airs, you're just digging yourself in deeper. If you really want to know "Why can't we be friends", then here's the thing....friends tell friends when they don't have their head screwed on right about something. A good man, or woman, then holds up their hand and admits they're wrong. It's no big deal, and everybody gets along. Your reaction was instead to call everyone self rightous, vindictive, etc. No one's picking on you, this forum has many threads that make it clear that software piracy is not something this community deems acceptable. You actually didn't get blasted for advocating software piracy in the other thread, as you might have. But to my knowledge, you're the first to advocate stealing intelectual property out of one side of your mouth while nearly simultainiously asking how to protect your intelectual property out of the other side of your mouth. Just own up to it, and get over it. Or don't. Why do I care? Cause I worked god damned hard to PAY for all my software, and I don't want those companies failing, or charging me more for upgrades and such because of all the money they lost due to piracy.
Off my soapbox and outta here, RD

[Fleghand]

Good enough.

Touche.

[Sonic Valley]

I...err.....am deciding to change my nationality after all this...instead of Candadian...I'm...pssst(someone name a far off eastern country)

Thanx for the closure Rob.

[Robert D]

SV - Having grown up in Alaska, and spent a good deal of time along the AlCan highway I'm rather fond of Canada and it's people. So please retain your citizenship, even here in the virtual world. http://www.audioforums.com/forums/wink.gif
Hell, we've got a President who's a MAJOR national embarrassment, so if I can still admit to being an American, you've certainly got nothing to worry about. http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif
RD

[narcoman2]

jeez,

you think your embarressed. What about the way my hairs thinning.....

cheers

[bombastique]

Very well put RD. Here's a suggestion for those of you who use cracked software and justify it by saying you can't afford the real deal - send the company that makes the software an anonymous letter and a postal money order for the amount you CAN afford (even if it's only $5). I think by doing that, it shows at least true INTENT to be honest - which is far better than using the software and saying 'screw the company'.

Think about it from a personal perspective - if I made software and someone was using it that didn't actually buy it, but they were nice enough to send a letter and some money, I would feel just a bit better about it. I wouldn't think that the world is just a villanous place where everyone wants everything for free, where people don't care about anyone's livelihood as long as they get what they want.

know what i'm saying?

Another suggestion - if you want free or cheap software (and hardware), work at a music store, or in the industry. That's how I did it.