Disklavier

> Let's put this copyright issue to bed, once and for all.  I spent a little
> time (expensive) with a lawyer and got some guidance for this group, that is
> more than anecdotal.  Here we go:
>
> DON'TS
> Do not upload or otherwise share copies midi files that are sold
> commercially.  These would be copyrighted performances, which are, and
> should be, patently illegal to share. If you want it, buy it.
>
> GRAY AREA
> Public domain performances of copyrighted songs, made available for free on
> open web sites is a gray area, yet to be resolved in court.  The Harry Fox
> Agency (representing the composers of about 55% of copyrighted songs) has
> been attacking these sites with scary letters from lawyers threatening
> lawsuits for huge amounts of money.  Since virtually none of these sites
> make any money, they aren't in a position to fight the legal battle and cave
> in.  That is why the supply of this type of midi file has dried up
> dramatically as a result.  Many of the good ones left are outside the US.
>
> WHY WE ARE OK
> The whole reason this group got started was because of the sudden lack of
> web sites with popular music midi files.  Most of us have built up some
> decent collections over the last few years, invested time in screening,
> editing, balancing volume levels, etc.  A vehicle to share this material
> amongst ourselves did, and still does, make a lot of sense.  There is a well
> established exception to the copyright law, which entitles people to share
> free private performances of copyrighted material with their friends.
> Although there are no absolutes with lawyers and courts, my legal beagles
> say that they see no problem with this group qualifying under this exception
> since it is a small members-only club swapping public domain performances.
> The song copyrights should not be an issue if we are not charging each other
> for the files.  It is also unlikely that Harry Fox will ever stumble across
> our site, because you need a member's password to get in.  Their notorious
> web crawler programs can't get in to scan us.  Even if they did attack us
> legally, the worst case possibility is that they would convince egroups to
> shut us down.  In that event, I keep fresh email membership lists on my hard
> drive, along with a mirror image of the vault.  I could set up another group
> with a non-musical name (bagel-lovers@egroups.com), restock the vault, and
> pre-enroll all current members in an hour or two.  With about 225 members,
> we are large enough to stop soliciting members on DUG and elsewhere and
> remain extremely low profile.
>
> The current plan is business as usual, but stop drawing attention to
> ourselves on DUG.  Any questions?
>
> Todd Muncy
> disklavier-owner@egroups.com
> Check out my family web site.
> It contains some fun disklavier stuff.
> http://MuncyFamily.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <jwelsh2141@...>
> To: <disklavier@egroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, April 14, 2000 8:14 AM
> Subject: [disklavier] Uploads
>
> > Hello all;
> >
> >     I have posted my rendition of Ebb Tide to the Popular piano folder.
> >
> >     However, after reading many of the older posts on this site, I find
> there
> > is some concern over copyright issues.  I Have no idea  if this song is
> still
> > under copyright.  If it is I guess it will have to be deleted.
> >
> >                         Thanx
> >
> >                         Jim
> >
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