Discussion:
What is the name of your state?
MY state is California, but that may be irrelevant since this is an "internet" question and the web site I'll be referring to is, I think, located in the U.K.
Here is the problem:
For nearly 3 years I have been a member of a web site for Yamaha musical keyboard players.
This site allowed members to post their latest news and information on keyboards and music, AND until recently it allowed members to upload "midi" songs they had created on their keyboards -- for others to hear.
There are a number of web sites that do this, so it's nothing unusual. HOWEVER, just recently, the website's owner and moderator "heard" or read somewhere that he could be SUED for copyright infringement -- even though most members are total amateurs simply sharing their versions of well-known songs on cheap amateur keyboards.
Well, our moderator suddenly panicked. He quickly removed ALL songs except those that were in the Public Domain (like "Swanee River" or the "Happy Birthday" song), and insisted that from now on the members upload ONLY songs that are their own original compositions.
This has caused membership to drop off dramatically, since few "amateurs" are skilled at creating their very own songs -- and have always preferred to
play well-known and popular songs for other members to hear.
Many of those remaining feel that the moderator acted too hastily, since there are a great many other sites allowing members to upload "copyrighted" music -- and none of them have discontinued the practice.
Although theoretically it may be "possible" to sue for copyright infringement, of course, most who are involved feel that it is highly unlikely, because (a) he is a small fish, and suing him would not bring in enough to be worth the bother and expense... and (b) there are many "bigger fish" out there with much stronger cases for a lawsuit -- i.e., the many "file-sharing" sites that actually allow millions of people to download A SINGER'S ACTUAL SONGS free of charge.
So we are looking to convince him that disallowing members the pleasure of sharing simple, amateurish Midi songs, is ridiculous -- even if the tunes are in most cases copyrighted.
Can anyone reading this offer some convincing and persuasive evidence showing him that his action was unnecessary -- so that he will change his mind and we can share our songs again as so many of the other web sites continue to do?
(We could, of course, simply join up with these other web sites -- except for one thing: they do not specialize in songs from our particular model of keyboard, and so there would be an incompatibility problem.)
Sincerely hoping someone has an answer for our problem,
Thanks for your help,
Yossarian
Answer:
US law only.
Answer:
US Law Only
Answer:
US LAW ONLY!!!
Answer:
US LAW ONLY!!! US Law Only
So, which country's laws does this forum cover?
Answer:
Besides, why would we want to convince someone that we don't know that it's okay to accept liability for copyright infringement, because the risk is "low"?
If you think the risk is so negligible, why don't you open your own board to swap songs, instead of trying to convince someone else to take the risk so you can benefit?
Answer:
Besides, why would we want to convince someone that we don't know that it's okay to accept liability for copyright infringement, because the risk is "low"?
If you think the risk is so negligible, why don't you open your own board to swap songs, instead of trying to convince someone else to take the risk so you can benefit? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that one!
Answer:
I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that one! So does Div. That's why he asked