[Molybdenum]

The title says it all. What do you think about using commercial music tracks or music from other games in fan-made missions. Is it common or frowned upon? If you hear a know track while playing a mission does it distract or bother you?

I am asking because I am planning on making full custom music missions for my Shivans missions(the old terran music just doesn't fit the bill). I know Darius makes his own music for Blue Planet(with awesome effects ) but I feel that I couldn't make it that good.

Basically I feel the shivans should have a less electronic and more "metal" feel when they play or at least heavily distorted electronic. Several tracks by Apocalyptica come to mind or some Juckie XL mixes or Total Annihilation theme music.(those are from the tip of my head right now)

Obviously if I use a piece of copyright I should mention it in the credits even if I mix my own stuff out of pre-made bits.

Also is it possible to hire some people to make some custom tracks. For a mention in the credits of course.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Well you could try to find some public domain music. 

[Dark Hunter]

Either public domain or obtain permission from whoever wrote the song. Otherwise it's copyright infringement.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

This does raise another question I've been thinking about along the lines of the same subject.  If you use public domain music performed by someone other than the original artist do you need to get the permission of the performer? 

[Dark Hunter]

If it's public domain anyway, why would the performer have any right to his version?

I'm no lawyer though, so I don't know.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

It's probably one of those things that varies wherever you are.  If you think about it almost all the basic Christmas songs are public domain but people still record them and sell them.  Same with a lot of classical music.  Guess the question is is the actual performance of the public domain music copyrightable? 

[Kie99]

Obviously if I use a piece of copyright I should mention it in the credits even if I mix my own stuff out of pre-made bits.

If you use copyrighted music in your campaign without permission you're breaking copyright law, whether you mention it in the credits or not.

[Jeff Vader]

Hmm. Concidering that we're talking about FreeSpace, the risk of detection isn't very high. But still. Advise caution.

[Mars]

Out of curiosity, in JAD weren't several of the Village People's songs used? Are they not copyrighted?

[Jeff Vader]

And one from the Trammps.

[tinfoil]

ask permission and give credit - it's all you can really do although since the risk of detection is so low it's more a question of moral code than anything really...

[redsniper]

Of course, asking permission draws attention, so it might be better to just go for it and just remove the music should you ever get a Cease and Desist.

[Mars]

Of course, asking permission draws attention, so it might be better to just go for it and just remove the music should you ever get a Cease and Desist.

So much for moral code

[eliex]

Just ask, and they'll most likely give to it you, not to mention that you'll feel better for obeying your moral code.

[TrashMan]

I made a thread a while ago and posted a link to a site with great free music...www.freeplaymusic.com

[S-99]

When using copyrighted music. Just make sure hollywood doesn't notice or they'll find your works and insert advertising.

I can just imagine that happening. You'll know something's up when you go to launch dual cyclopses that it's two 2 liter bottles of sprite going for that shivan destroyer. The launch noise will be the sound of a sprite bottle opening. The propulsion of the sprite bottles will be the sound of sprite being poored into a cup, followed by a refreshing "aaaaaaaaahhhh" upon impact of the shivan destroyer. Then you'll swear that the music just said drink sprite 10 times in half a of second really quietly while being totally curious if you actually hurt the shivan destroyer. Then you'll pause the game and go for a sprite.

If music companies could have their way with people using copyrighted media. It'd be either massive inserted advertising, or take you to court. Instead of taking me to court. Youtube decided to send me an email saying that the music in my youtube video was copyrighted and was identified by the record label who published it and would be inserting advertising to "cover the cost". I just sit there still today going "wtf?". Modified fs2 music i don't think much will happen for. Profit loss due to music piracy is so totally exaggerated by these stupid companies, especially riaa and mpaa.

Dark-hunter. Don't ask for permission to use the song. Just use it and credit the artist. There's not much of a point in asking for permission. And you will be F'd in the A if you don't credit them.

[DarthWang]

JAD used YMCA, but I think that falls under the fair use law (since it's a parody)

[Socio]

The likelihood of you getting in any trouble is very small, and on a personal level, I'd really have no problem playing a campaign that had copyrighted music.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

JAD used YMCA, but I think that falls under the fair use law (since it's a parody)

I think it's also because he used a very short segment of it.

[peterv]

Of course, asking permission draws attention, so it might be better to just go for it and just remove the music should you ever get a Cease and Desist.

So much for moral code