MP3, websites and copyright
Running a CD ripping service we get a lot of calls, yesterdays was on the face of it quite reasonable, but it opened a can of worms.
"What's the lowest bit rate suitable for playing music on an internet site?"
So I made a suggestion, based on 64kbps being the puny rate pumped out by digital DAB radios. But what music are you going to play, I asked. The answer was a track by Elton John, thought to be a suitable background track for a wedding photography website. Wow, said I, how had he got Elton to agree this?
Silence.
My caller didn't think he needed to get the artist's approval, he did own the track on several CDs he had paid for. A lengthy conversation ensued.
We are a CD ripping service and the digital music we produce, or that which you rip for yourself, cannot be broadcast - and a web site falls into this category. If you get caught, and of course a wedding photography business wants to be highly visible, you'll be in deep trouble. What you need to find is music produced for the purpose of website use, royalty free is the term to search for. You'll need to buy the music but at least you'll get a digital file you can play on your site. Yes, it will be more lift music than Top 10 material, but you won't spend every waking day wondering if the copyright police decide to track down a wedding snapper in Solihull.
My caller pointed me in the direction of another photographer who was using mainstream music on his site, and from which he'd got the idea. I'm left with a dilemma, to blow the whistle or not?
"What's the lowest bit rate suitable for playing music on an internet site?"
So I made a suggestion, based on 64kbps being the puny rate pumped out by digital DAB radios. But what music are you going to play, I asked. The answer was a track by Elton John, thought to be a suitable background track for a wedding photography website. Wow, said I, how had he got Elton to agree this?
Silence.
My caller didn't think he needed to get the artist's approval, he did own the track on several CDs he had paid for. A lengthy conversation ensued.
We are a CD ripping service and the digital music we produce, or that which you rip for yourself, cannot be broadcast - and a web site falls into this category. If you get caught, and of course a wedding photography business wants to be highly visible, you'll be in deep trouble. What you need to find is music produced for the purpose of website use, royalty free is the term to search for. You'll need to buy the music but at least you'll get a digital file you can play on your site. Yes, it will be more lift music than Top 10 material, but you won't spend every waking day wondering if the copyright police decide to track down a wedding snapper in Solihull.
My caller pointed me in the direction of another photographer who was using mainstream music on his site, and from which he'd got the idea. I'm left with a dilemma, to blow the whistle or not?
posted by Unknown at 12:39 AM
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