Hello all - Can anyone confirm whether or not you can legally sample an instrumental section from a song (less than four seconds) and loop it for use as background music on a film without having to pay any copyright fees etc.
Thank you!
Use of music - Help needed please!
I'm probably way off the mark here but I heard you can use any music you like as long as the clip is less than 30 seconds long.
Just like that joke a la Simpsons when Krusty (or someone) sings something and then goes, "STOP the music, anymore and we'll have to pay!"
My understanding is that you are supposed to get permission no matter how small a sample is used. I think EA Games got stomped by EMI or someone because they used tracks which they had permission to use but the tracks themselves contained samples which EA didn't get permission to use themselves.
Ah. Looks like these are the people you need to speak to:
Many thanks!
If you didn't write the music (and perform it) then you do need the permission of the rights' owners unless it's royalty-free. That 30 seconds is the cut-off point is a myth as far as I'm aware.
There is a legal loophole relating to use of material if it is included solely for educational or critical review purposes but it isn't going to help you.
If you're using such a small clip and looping it then it'd be unrecognisable or as intensely irritating as an Aqua single. I'd really consider the many decent royalty-free music sites and plug some of our peers' talent.
Quote: SlagA @ February 25 2009, 7:49 PM GMTthen it'd be unrecognisable or as intensely irritating as an Aqua single.
Aaron might like it.