• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Is this legal?

J

josh609

Member
I would like to start a small, side job creating DVD movies from people?s digital photos for different occasions such as anniversaries, weddings, funerals, ect. I would also put music to them from their own CD?s that they have. Now here is the question. Is it legal for me to take songs off their CD?s and put it on a DVD video and make money off of the work that I have done? Thanks!
 
Is it legal? It sounds like it'd fall under fair use to me... but a lot of things that are supposed to fall under fair use dont according to the 'industry'.

You may want to talk to a lawyer. In my forums there's a guy who's dad is a lawyer and has learned a lot by osmosis (and if he doesnt know, he can probably find out), so you may want to post this question over there.
 
I would guess so. As long as you only make one copy, it sounds to me like fair use. Who knows how it would sound to the evil thugs at the RIAA though.

You could also look into online music licensing. One place you might check out is www.magnatune.com/
 
actually didnt he say that he would be using music from each of the clients???

" I would also put music to them from their own CD?s that they have"

Sounds to me like he would be getting some music from each client along with their files to make the DVD... how is that not fair use??? the clients DO own the media.
 
It's a thing for personal use.
If they were to give the DVD to their friends, then I would guess that'd be illegal, but as long as you don't keep a copy of the music, and they only have the DVD for personal use there shouldn't be issues, since I would assume it comes under fair use.
 
Originally posted by: Lonyo
It's a thing for personal use.
If they were to give the DVD to their friends, then I would guess that'd be illegal, but as long as you don't keep a copy of the music, and they only have the DVD for personal use there shouldn't be issues, since I would assume it comes under fair use.
Click to expand...


That is how i would understand it. They are paying me for work of making the DVD movie of thier pictures. They let me borrow the CD's to add songs to the DVD video.
 
If you were doing it for free I don't see how anyone could get you, but since you're turning a profit on it I wouldn't be quick to say it's legal. I however am not a lawyer and just barely more knownledgable than someone who knows nothing so... yea...
 
Dont ask stuff like that. People will probably rat on you if it is illegal.... beware!

For the record, i dont know but i think it seems legal.
 
Originally posted by: Soviet
Dont ask stuff like that. People will probably rat on you if it is illegal.... beware!

For the record, i dont know but i think it seems legal.
Click to expand...


I really don't know what would be illegal about it. I don't keep the music, i just put them together along with the pictures in the movie. They pay me for my time, that is all they pay me for. :S
 
I don't think it would be legal, because after the songs are copied, they might end up being listened to by two different people at the same time.
Sort of why it's legal for libraries to lend one book to many different people, one after another, but not legal for them a new copy for everyone that is interested.
But i'm no laywer, and I haven't read any succinct description of Fair Use recently.
 
It's illegal to use copyrighted material for your own financial gain. There's no loophole or anything, it would be illegal to sell dvds and such that contain music legally owned by someone else. It's what's happening with Eminem suing some online ringtone company for using his music as real music ringtones.
 
Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
If you were doing it for free I don't see how anyone could get you, but since you're turning a profit on it I wouldn't be quick to say it's legal. I however am not a lawyer and just barely more knownledgable than someone who knows nothing so... yea...
Click to expand...

i'd have to agree with this.
i'm not a lawyer either though. go see a lawyer.
 
I think if you don't keep a copy of the music for yourself, you'll be fine. They'll have their licensed music on two different media. One original, and one backup (the one you made). Plus, if they make copies of that DVD for their friends, that is *still* covered by Fair Use.

You would be getting paid to consolidate content for which your client has legal license. Sounds good to go to me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top