Hi,
I'd like to release some of my music for free under a free license such
as Creative Commons-Attribution in synthesized form (i.e. as Wave or
OGG files or something along these lines). Therefore, I am looking for
sound fonts.

However, I have found that there is hardly any clear information
available about the licenses of the sound fonts on the web; many state
that the sound fonts are free, but may only be used non-commercially
but do not indicate the terms under which they may be used
commercially; or the sound fonts have to be paid for but yet after
paying still must not be used commercially; or there simply is not any
information about how the sound font may be used - in short, I am
looking for a sound font archive which clearly states the terms under
which I may use each sound font in Creative Commons-Attribution
licensed synthesized pieces.

On a related side-note, does anyone know whether I may use the samples
from my keyboard in such works? My feeling tells me that it would be
some kind of a copyright infringement to build a sound font from
keyboard samples and then synthesize music with that sound font, but on
the other hand, this would imply that I could not use my instrument to
play at public (possibly commercial) events, which obviously cannot be
the case as it is done dozens of times every year at least for school
concerts everywhere.

Thanks in advance!

Greetings,

I think the likelihood of someone prosecuting you for using even a 'stolen'
soundfont is extremely small. Even less likelihood that someone would try
to prosecute you for using a soundfont in music that you are offering for
free, in other words, with no commercial gain to you.

I doubt there are many soundfonts that fit this description: "sound fonts
have to be paid for but yet after paying still must not be used
commercially". What kind of person would try and release something like
that? A sample library that cannot be used!

You can investigate the source of any soundfonts you have that you may be
concerned about by searching the internet. e.g. if you had "Johnny's broken
whistle.sf2" you could search for it online and you might find a quote from
the original author saying its copyright status, like "Hi I'm Johnny, here's
my new soundfont. Use it for whatever you like!"

Myself, I ensure my main instruments in the mix are ones I've purchased or
that I got online when they were offered free by the developer. I like
Sonivox stuff a lot.

As for keyboard sample, they are all designed for public performance and
therefore there is no issue about copyright of the samples. (unless you
electronically hack the ROMs and tried exploiting them purely commercially
and not musically).

I would be happy to share public soundfonts with you if you are interested.

Thanks

"Florian Haag" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
> I'd like to release some of my music for free under a free license such
> as Creative Commons-Attribution in synthesized form (i.e. as Wave or
> OGG files or something along these lines). Therefore, I am looking for
> sound fonts.
>
> However, I have found that there is hardly any clear information
> available about the licenses of the sound fonts on the web; many state
> that the sound fonts are free, but may only be used non-commercially
> but do not indicate the terms under which they may be used
> commercially; or the sound fonts have to be paid for but yet after
> paying still must not be used commercially; or there simply is not any
> information about how the sound font may be used - in short, I am
> looking for a sound font archive which clearly states the terms under
> which I may use each sound font in Creative Commons-Attribution
> licensed synthesized pieces.
>
> On a related side-note, does anyone know whether I may use the samples
> from my keyboard in such works? My feeling tells me that it would be
> some kind of a copyright infringement to build a sound font from
> keyboard samples and then synthesize music with that sound font, but on
> the other hand, this would imply that I could not use my instrument to
> play at public (possibly commercial) events, which obviously cannot be
> the case as it is done dozens of times every year at least for school
> concerts everywhere.
>
> Thanks in advance!

Hi, merry Christmas and thanks for your response!

Evan wrote:

> I think the likelihood of someone prosecuting you for using even a
> 'stolen' soundfont is extremely small. Even less likelihood that
> someone would try to prosecute you for using a soundfont in music
> that you are offering for free, in other words, with no commercial
> gain to you.

Uh ... over here, it is common practice to have attorneys write an
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abmahnung letter for any kind of
(perceived) copyright infringements particularly to owners of private,
non-commercial websites or non-commercial forum posters because it is
well-known that they can't afford an attorney to fend off the charges.
So I tend to be a bit careful about this kind of things.

> I doubt there are many soundfonts that fit this description: "sound
> fonts have to be paid for but yet after paying still must not be used
> commercially". What kind of person would try and release something
> like that? A sample library that cannot be used!

Well, not sure about sound fonts - I just know that I came across quite
some bigger sound sample libraries which are sold over here; after
sending an inquiry to the producers and/or vendors, I was always told
that the samples must not be included in public or commercial works.
They are intended for hobbyist video creators who want to enhance their
holiday videos with some sound effects or alter their Windows sound
scheme - analogously to all the CDs with huge clipart collections you
can buy.

> You can investigate the source of any soundfonts you have that you
> may be concerned about by searching the internet. e.g. if you had
> "Johnny's broken whistle.sf2" you could search for it online and you
> might find a quote from the original author saying its copyright
> status, like "Hi I'm Johnny, here's my new soundfont. Use it for
> whatever you like!"

That's kind-of the problem - this info very often seems to say "Use it
for non-commercial purposes only." ... failing to explain the terms
under which I could use it for (indirectly) commercial purposes.

> Myself, I ensure my main instruments in the mix are ones I've
> purchased or that I got online when they were offered free by the
> developer. I like Sonivox stuff a lot.

I looked at the Sonivox website, but again, their legal terms of use
for any material from their site state "you may download copies of the
material (including any document, information, data, sound recording
demo files or other materials provided that (...) (3) you use the
material only for non-commercial informational purposes. Modification
or use of the materials for any other purpose violates Sonic Network,
Inc. intellectual property rights. (...) You may not (...) convert any
sound recording from this site to a human perceivable form. You may not
resell or otherwise distribute the sound recordings or any derivative
work thereof, (...) mixed, combined, filtered, resynthesized, or
otherwise edited, for use as sounds, multisounds, samples,
multisamples, wavetables, programs or patches in a sampler, microchip
or any sample playback device."
Thus, they basically forbid any public use of sound files that are
somehow based on or make use of their sound files, as far as I
understand these license terms.

> As for keyboard sample, they are all designed for public performance
> and therefore there is no issue about copyright of the samples.
> (unless you electronically hack the ROMs and tried exploiting them
> purely commercially and not musically).

Ok, good to know.

> I would be happy to share public soundfonts with you if you are
> interested.

Actually, yes :-) Follow-up to e-mail in this case.

Thanks,
Florian

Hello again,

"Florian Haag" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi, merry Christmas and thanks for your response!
>
> Evan wrote:
>
>> I think the likelihood of someone prosecuting you for using even a
>> 'stolen' soundfont is extremely small. Even less likelihood that
>> someone would try to prosecute you for using a soundfont in music
>> that you are offering for free, in other words, with no commercial
>> gain to you.
>
> Uh ... over here, it is common practice to have attorneys write an
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abmahnung letter for any kind of
> (perceived) copyright infringements particularly to owners of private,
> non-commercial websites or non-commercial forum posters because it is
> well-known that they can't afford an attorney to fend off the charges.
> So I tend to be a bit careful about this kind of things.

That's really good. You know you can't be a photographer without having a
solid knowledge and understanding of copyright. And music copyright is an
even bigger deal so we would be stupid not to be very sensitive to copyright
issues.

>> I doubt there are many soundfonts that fit this description: "sound
>> fonts have to be paid for but yet after paying still must not be used
>> commercially". What kind of person would try and release something
>> like that? A sample library that cannot be used!
>
> Well, not sure about sound fonts - I just know that I came across quite
> some bigger sound sample libraries which are sold over here; after
> sending an inquiry to the producers and/or vendors, I was always told
> that the samples must not be included in public or commercial works.
> They are intended for hobbyist video creators who want to enhance their
> holiday videos with some sound effects or alter their Windows sound
> scheme - analogously to all the CDs with huge clipart collections you
> can buy.

This goes to show that you may need to verify each soundfont afterall, as
the vendor may have a different purpose for the product than what you
thought it had, e.g. music samples for home wedding videos vs. for composers
who use samples. We need to make sure we are not the victim of deceptive
marketing, for example, if a product was marketed to "add funky new grooves
to your music" but it was actually a product for kids and teenagers to make
music for private purposes only.

>> You can investigate the source of any soundfonts you have that you
>> may be concerned about by searching the internet. e.g. if you had
>> "Johnny's broken whistle.sf2" you could search for it online and you
>> might find a quote from the original author saying its copyright
>> status, like "Hi I'm Johnny, here's my new soundfont. Use it for
>> whatever you like!"
>
> That's kind-of the problem - this info very often seems to say "Use it
> for non-commercial purposes only." ... failing to explain the terms
> under which I could use it for (indirectly) commercial purposes.

Which reinforces the point that we may need to spend time researching each
soundfont. I can spend hours and hours finding just the right soundfont, so
it doesn't bother me to spend a few more minutes to verify whether I can use
the soundfont or not.

I have some soundfonts that were initially put on the internet 7 or 8 years
ago, and I have still been able to contact the original author and ask them
if it's alright to use the instrument in commercial music.

You may like to consider posting a list of soundfonts you are concerned
about here (so we can verify the soundfonts for you.) You may also post in
forums like kvraudio.com, as I have been able to find and email the original
authors of a soundfont using that web site. There may be others - please
let me know if you find some.

>> Myself, I ensure my main instruments in the mix are ones I've
>> purchased or that I got online when they were offered free by the
>> developer. I like Sonivox stuff a lot.
>
> I looked at the Sonivox website, but again, their legal terms of use
> for any material from their site ... (snip)

Please note that that legal statement is for the material on their web site
(text and demo tracks) and not for their actual purchased samples. For
example there is a $2,000 orchestral library there and I doubt that it's for
private use only!

>> As for keyboard sample, they are all designed for public performance
>> and therefore there is no issue about copyright of the samples.
>> (unless you electronically hack the ROMs and tried exploiting them
>> purely commercially and not musically).
>
> Ok, good to know.
>
>> I would be happy to share public soundfonts with you if you are
>> interested.
>
> Actually, yes :-) Follow-up to e-mail in this case.
>
> Thanks,
> Florian

Cheers

On Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:28:48 GMT, "Evan" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>...
>
>This goes to show that you may need to verify each soundfont afterall, as
>the vendor may have a different purpose for the product than what you
>thought it had, e.g. music samples for home wedding videos vs. for composers

Bottom line is to read the license agreement for the sound font, and
see what it allows you to do. Too many people just ignore the
agreement, and pretend it doesn't exist.

>who use samples. We need to make sure we are not the victim of deceptive
>marketing, for example, if a product was marketed to "add funky new grooves
>to your music" but it was actually a product for kids and teenagers to make
>music for private purposes only.

Again, best if you ask for, and read the license before 'buying'. And
keep a copy of that license for your records, perferrable a copy that
can be verified as accurate, though that can be difficult sometimes
with online licenses.

>
>>> You can investigate the source of any soundfonts you have that you
>>> may be concerned about by searching the internet. e.g. if you had
>>> "Johnny's broken whistle.sf2" you could search for it online and you
>>> might find a quote from the original author saying its copyright
>>> status, like "Hi I'm Johnny, here's my new soundfont. Use it for
>>> whatever you like!"
>>
>> That's kind-of the problem - this info very often seems to say "Use it
>> for non-commercial purposes only." ... failing to explain the terms
>> under which I could use it for (indirectly) commercial purposes.
>
>Which reinforces the point that we may need to spend time researching each
>soundfont. I can spend hours and hours finding just the right soundfont, so
>it doesn't bother me to spend a few more minutes to verify whether I can use
>the soundfont or not.
>
>I have some soundfonts that were initially put on the internet 7 or 8 years
>ago, and I have still been able to contact the original author and ask them
>if it's alright to use the instrument in commercial music.
>
>You may like to consider posting a list of soundfonts you are concerned
>about here (so we can verify the soundfonts for you.) You may also post in
>forums like kvraudio.com, as I have been able to find and email the original
>authors of a soundfont using that web site. There may be others - please
>let me know if you find some.
>
>>> Myself, I ensure my main instruments in the mix are ones I've
>>> purchased or that I got online when they were offered free by the
>>> developer. I like Sonivox stuff a lot.
>>
>> I looked at the Sonivox website, but again, their legal terms of use
>> for any material from their site ... (snip)
>
>Please note that that legal statement is for the material on their web site
>(text and demo tracks) and not for their actual purchased samples. For
>example there is a $2,000 orchestral library there and I doubt that it's for
>private use only!

Right! And asking is useful (as you mentioned...)

>
>>> As for keyboard sample, they are all designed for public performance
>>> and therefore there is no issue about copyright of the samples.
>>> (unless you electronically hack the ROMs and tried exploiting them
>>> purely commercially and not musically).
>>
>> Ok, good to know.
>>
>>> I would be happy to share public soundfonts with you if you are
>>> interested.
>>
>> Actually, yes :-) Follow-up to e-mail in this case.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Florian
>
>Cheers
>