[globuous]

What are the laws on using copyrighted material in mixes do you know ? I know Sound of Monte Carlo's soundcloud (they uplaod monthly mixes or w/e) is about to be taken down, they do use copyrighted material in their mixes though.

[DrJokepu]

In the US, if you use someone else's work or recording in your work, it's derivative work and unless the original work was in the public domain or your usage constitutes "fair use" (e.g. parody), you need to get their permission.

In the UK, where Soundcloud is based, it's very similar, except the equivalent of "fair use" is called "fair dealing" and it's much more restrictive in scope.

[chefkoch]

I thought soundcloud is based in Berlin?

[DrJokepu]

They're registered in the United Kingdom (England and Wales): https://soundcloud.com/imprint

[mrottenkolber]

No idea about the legal situation. And to be frank I don't care. I have no economic incentive for my hobby. I consider it an art and a means of expression along the lines of singing and dancing. For all I care I am doing commercial musicians a favor for promoting their work, but really that's just an unintended side effect. SoundCloud was profiting of me giving away free content. Its people like me that enabled its business in the first place. So in the end its their loss, and they will fail because of the laws. I personally don't mourn the loss of SoundCloud as a viable publishing platform. I have many choices and it was never my primary platform to begin with (which is an independent pirate radio).

My point is that the laws don't stop the people doing the "infringing". We don't care. Its the businesses that could profit from the human need for creativity that are hurt by the absurd situation.

[DrJokepu]

Surely, infringers of the GPL could cite the same argument?

[mrottenkolber]

I am sure RMS is with me on this one.