[Titan]

ok, i want to use some music from, say, a soundtrack, and put it in Freespace. (i got audacity, turns out some of the SCHOOL COMPS use it... go figure) Is that illegal? i think it's only illegal if you try and use it in a way that gets you money, without the artist consent.

[Rico]

It's a debatable subjet. Depends where u live etc.
Tho in general as long as it isnt being used commercially (aka making money) it is usually acceptable under the 'fair use' policy.
But I aint a lawyer, so dont come crying to me if the FBI nab you 
 

[karajorma]

You'll never get put in jail for it but the original owner of the IP could potentially sue you for damages.

However that is unlikely unless your mod becomes very popular in the wider world beyond the FS2 community. It's even more unlikely if you credit the people behind the original.

[captain-custard]

this is a very sticky subject , here in france as i understand through my work in live shows and the performance world , if you use someones music and then reinterpret it  i.e using it in away that was not originaly intended, like using it on backing music or in a video you are liable to pay a fee for this if at any point this passes in any public domain, so if its in a game that is downloadable this counts as a public domain.....;

this counts for any sequence of the original music that is more than 3 seconds long  !!!!

[Jeff Vader]

You should be fine if you make no money with the mod and give appropriate credits for used tracks. Of course, if the target artist isn't a really big and busy cheese in the music industry, it is possible, to some extent, to contact them about the issue. But generally I'd think that it's only promo for them if their music is used in some context without making money.

Edit: Come to think of it, if I ever manage to make a campaign (stressing the word 'if'), I'd really like to use some Dir en grey tracks. Though I'd prefer instrumental versions, which might be difficult to acquire.

[Getter Robo G]

DId you buy the music? Is it staying on your comp? IF yes to both unless you email them saying "I DID THIS!" you should be fine... (Titan has to avoid frontline security first, the parents!)

Good call doing it at school! 

I've got tons of casettes that have disintegrated since and very few I copied to my HD.
I bought my music and legal or not I damn well do what I want with it in the privacy of my home aside from distributing it... 

[Titan]

no, i didn't do it at school, but the fact that school used it means that my parents thought it was ok...

[Jeff Vader]

Hmm. Clever. Now convince them that your school uses 7-Zip as well.   

Edited to better match Getter Robo G's preferences.

[Getter Robo G]

You forgot to put a smiley on the end of that, he might think you're serious... 

[Seriously, be careful what you try to pull on your parents!]

[Titan]

heh...

[Krallis]

Why can't you just ask the people if you can use the soundtrack. Either that or fully credit them to ensure no risk of potential damage.

[Getter Robo G]

Because:

A: If he's making a mod to go public he risks a D&C if they don't approve (thus gets on their radar). Plus since it's music involved last thing you want are Record Labels and RIAA or whoever getting their panties in a knot!
In this day and age they hold teh reigns NOT the artists! (in most cases).

B: If it's for personal use there is absolutely no reason to contact anyone (and no credits needed since it's his computer, no ones ever gonna see it, no IP's are in danger).

[JGZinv]

To be honest there are some iconic songs I'd like to use as well, so I'm in the same boat.

BUT... I realize like all the warnings here that's just not realistically possible for a (hopefully)
very public TC mod.  There's just too many parties on an international level that'd like to sue you
for any possible reason they can get a hold of. It's not worth it.

So what we'll end up having to do is make new songs from scratch that are close in theme and
style to what we want.  Thankfully we've got a great music guy in order to help pull it off. On the
plus side, they'll be our songs, and the musician will get the credit for his work...

[Titan]

i want to use a couple songs from PotC. Look HERE, check out the demo for "Swords Crossed", that's what i want to use.

[S-99]

I could see how this could be interpretted as including a non-free song into a mod and distributing it (because that song is probably going to be it's own single file like it is right now...mp3, ogg, whatever format it is). Actually it would be distribution of a non-free song 
I just wouldn't do it. Find free music, credit it, and don't distribute non-free songs.

[Titan]

what if i edit it? then TECHNICALLY, it wouldn't entirely be their song...

[S-99]

And now you be walkin' on eggs sailor

[JGZinv]

Then they'd sue you for intellectual property infringement, damages from releasing their works in whole and/or in part,
modification to a copyrighted work and claiming it to be your own in whole and/or in part.

This is what it'll sound like as the attacking attorney rips you left and right while on stand.

Do not do it.

Just say noooo!

Unless you have explicit permission to use a certain song in your mod, in writing... from the artists
and whoever else controls the distribution of their music (IE receives or spends money) then you are setting
yourself up for potentially far more trouble than it's worth.

[Getter Robo G]

Are you familiar with the main IP rule???

CANNOT be more than 30% similar...

Of course a judge will make that determination , but I wouldn;t try to pull that kind of defense.

If you are gonna use it, use it... But don't think a simple alteration will let you dance around saying it's different enough not to get into trouble anyway...