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By endlesstoil on
A friend is setting up drupal to use as a blog and to host some photos they've taken. They want to use mp3 files that they got off the web for background music. This isn't stuff I've paid a lot of attention to but I have to think that unless they've licensed the music it'd be unsafe to do this. They of course are not worried about it. How much risk do they incur using the mp3? Is it as stupid as I think it is? Are there any sites where there is grown up discussion of this topic?
This isn't about drupal of course, I hope it's ok that I posted this. I couldn't find a forum for community off topic blather. I searched a bit and didn't find anything that hit the spot.
Comments
They are only
They are only legal
-IF-
They are the creators/authors of the song in the mp3
- OR -
If they payed licence fees for _unlimited_ internet distibution
- OR -
The mp3 file is licensed with an open licence (CeativeCommons or something like that)
--
I work for Ontwerpwerk
OK, thanks. Are you aware of
OK, thanks. Are you aware of any 'easy' way to license files for use on casual websites?
Reality check: do people in fact get in trouble for doing what my friend wants to do, or is it more an issue in theory?
in theory only
If yr friend is doing something private and small, it's technically not legal but in reality the worst that could happen (and is 99.99% unlikely) would be a cease and desist.
I say go for it and don't sweat the legalities. If you're not offering music for download and not going big/commercial, should be no problem in reality.
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Personal: Outlandish Josh
Professional: Chapter Three
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Personal: Outlandish Josh
Professional: Pantheon
Don't take this lightly
I would be very careful with this. There is legal music out there that you could use (you should check that, though), because it's free to use for podcasts, etc. But using copyrighted music from a major label is a very bad idea, because it is easy for the RIAA to find webpages that link to mp3s, and if they find that you are using the files without permission, you will be in a lot of trouble.
Besides, background music on web pages is a dreadful idea anyway - but I guess that's a matter of taste.
EagerEyes.org
That's kind of what I
That's kind of what I figured. I don't think the music part is essential anyways but it's not me doing the deciding.
Can the people or robots that 'hunt' for non-legit mp3 files get past file renaming? If a song is called "What the heck" and it's renamed as "someotheraname.mp3", and it's behind a site membership login, is that any less likely to be discovered? I have to ask because those are the responses to my concerns that I've gotten so far.
Renaming won't help, that's
Renaming won't help, that's really not too hard to figure out. They will be looking for files that end in .mp3, or that have the MIME type for mp3 files (application/mp3, or whatever that is). I don't know if they actually really do that, but I can't imagine that they only monitor file sharing networks.
Of course, if the music is only available to logged in users, that's impossible for them to find (unless the file can be found by listing a directory, or there is some other link to it). Depending on the number of registered users, that might even be legal (i.e., you're playing music for your friends, just not all in the same place/at the same time), but it's rather unlikely (especially with an unprotected format like mp3) and IANAL.
I would still suggest looking for music where there are no strings attached. Just because he/she can't be found out easily doesn't make this right.
EagerEyes.org
Background music
In addition to what everyone else said, background music on websites is annoying. If you're a good friend, you'll talk him out of it completely. ;)
Michelle
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My site: http://shellmultimedia.com
Music in the background...
Music in the background...not a good idea in general.
Yeah, in general is really
Yeah, in general is really sucks but for certain types of sites it can be done with good taste. Ya seldom see it these days. Art sites done in flash I've seen work well with background music. Nothing worse than having the song restart on every page load.
–joon
How do you add music in background on a drupal site?
Music should continuously play even if the node changes (I click something on the menu).
Please HELP!
Thank you,
Andrei Ciubotaru
Inocentric Srl
www.inocentric.com
New thread
Please start your own thread for new questions rather than ressurecting year old ones.
Michelle
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See my Drupal articles and tutorials or come check out life in the Coulee Region.
I just put a radio link conspicuously on the page
If users want music you can just provide some links to radio stations...
Voila! if they want it, they've got it. If not they don't link to it.
There is a commercial on most of them to start, but it goes to station when done.
All they have to do is minimize when when the station kicks in...
THis is one of my favorites, give it a go and get the feel for site music. LOL
9 songs between commercials most days.
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The Wave--->Now streaming cool jazz....Enjoy!
http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/index.php?CALLSIGN=KTWVFM
If this was about 4 years
If this was about 4 years ago I'd say to go ahead. However, it isn't 4 years ago. The RIAA has been on a crusade to sue everyone who infringes on their licensing from 5 year olds, to 95 year old grandmothers, to the deceased. Also, if there is any way they could ascertain the file path to the mp3, they could, and probobly would, try to press charges for distrobution. If your friends decide to do it, make sure they're using royalty free music. Its just not worth getting nailed.