[MacDV] Re: The deal with FreePlay

[Jeff Smith]

When I originally read the terms of use for FreePlay's music, I got a 
different impression than I have been reading here. I went back to 
their website and checked and found that their usage policy isn't as 
obvious as you might think.

As was said, they do grant rights for personal non-commercial use but 
in addition, they also grant free commercial use for programming and 
even advertising if the resulting product is to be broadcast or 
transmitted on TV, internet, or...well let me just quote them.

"Freeplay Music, Inc.'s musical compositions and recordings may be 
broadcast and/or copied for the purpose of being included in any 
programming or advertising being produced for transmission over any 
medium (including television, satellite, wireless or internet media) 
worldwide. Freeplay music may also be synchronized in programming for 
the purpose of retail videotape or DVD distribution, if such 
distribution follows broadcast or transmission of the synchronized 
Freeplay music in the programming over television, satellite, wireless 
or Internet media. These rights are also granted for personal, 
non-commercial uses. These reproduction rights (known as mechanical, 
synchronization and master recording rights) are absolutely FREE, and 
are granted in perpetuity."

Anyway, we are using some of their music for Public Access cable 
television. The usage rights seem pretty generous for music that can be 
downloaded for nothing. It's true though, if you are looking for music 
for a commercial production only distributed on DVD or videotape, they 
want to sell you a license.

-Jeff Smith


On Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at 02:47 PM, Charles Martin wrote:

>> From: rainydaypictures at shaw.ca
>> For those who thought of using the FreePlay music via Apple iDisk 
>> might
>> as well forget it (if you want to use it for commercial productions).
>> They said it is for non-commercial use.
>
>> I thought their (FreePlay) was an
>> absolute rip off. Any thoughts?
>
> It is pretty obvious that Freeplay's provided music on .Mac members' 
> iDisks is for non-commercial use only, but surely that exactly what 
> 99% of the people who have iMovie/iDVD would be using it for? I think 
> it is *wonderful* that Apple arranged the deal with Freeplay so that 
> people could have decent music for their videos and show them on the 
> web (for example) without worrying about breaking copyright law or 
> having to hassle with rights issues. All for free!
>