19 replies to this topic

[Noah Fentz]

Hi folks!

As some of you know, I'm overhauling our upload policy, and there's one thing I feel needs to be addressed immediately ...

Many table uploads lately have contained music mp3's. We cannot, and will not, host mp3's! Distributing copyrighted music is not something we're here for. It's illegal. If your table contains music, please upload the music files elsewhere and link, if you must. My preferred method would be to list the tracks in the description, and folks can use their own music, or find it themselves, if they must.

I know this makes these tables 'inconvenient', but it would be much more inconvenient, if VPF no longer existed. Let's keep music and video clips as close to fair use as possible to ensure we're here for many years to come.

Please note: For those of you with uploads containing mp3's with approval pending, please edit the file and remove the mp3's. Please link them, or list them, in the description.

Thank you!

[batch]

Hi, hope you're doing well

 

I have three tables with mp3 files included in the download, Accept (Germany), Motörhead (England), and Penthouse

 

What do I have exactly to do with them ?

[afinegan]

Hi, hope you're doing well

 

I have three tables with mp3 files included in the download, Accept (Germany), Motörhead (England), and Penthouse

 

What do I have exactly to do with them ?

Just make sure you own the rights to any sounds and music in your tables, if not add a readme, and maybe a link to where they can get can complete there mp3 set (if that's cool lol), just cant have it hosted here from my understanding, we have to do this until DCMA gets it through there thick skulls that people buy more music when we advertise for them.... (else music just gets lost in the either)
 

[LynnInDenver]

Hi, hope you're doing well

 

I have three tables with mp3 files included in the download, Accept (Germany), Motörhead (England), and Penthouse

 

What do I have exactly to do with them ?

I'd say be prepared to reupload the files with the MP3 files removed entirely, and provide a link to the files elsewhere, or an indication of what tracks are needed and what they need to be named, or both. I'm making a note for original tables to either get Creative Commons files, or to just not bother with music.

[batch]

What is the deadline, please ?

[Noah Fentz]

Sorry for the late reply, guys.

No deadline, per se, but if you have uploaded mp3's with tables, I'd really appreciate a new upload without them. You can then host them, if you like, and link to them, or, simply list the soundtrack for people to use/get their own music.

Thank you.

[LynnInDenver]

The whole thing is understandable. The RIAA is a more problematic issue than any pinball company - even Gottlieb looks tame in comparison.

[CameronMcGehee]

When you say you will not host mp3s, do you mean mp3s that contain copyrighted music or just all mp3s in general. Because mp3 files can hold audio that people have complete rights to as well (such as sound effects). They are not just for copyrighted music, so I don't think mp3s themselves should be abolished...just the contents have to be non-copyrighted.

[Noah Fentz]

It would only apply to copyrighted music to which you do not have the rights.

Copyrighted sounds and music, for which you do have the rights, should be clearly noted with a license disclaimer.

[LynnInDenver]

So, basically, anything you have an explicit license to be able to use, which includes Creative Commons (be sure to credit it if it's not explicitly type 0, better make sure you're in a good crediting habit) and anything where you're otherwise licensed to use. It's going to likely mean that most fan work tables will have to go music free with a list of tracks and file names to use so the end user can provide it.

[Noah Fentz]

Pretty much. I don't really want to make this complicated. We're here to enjoy pinball, not legislate. Lol

There must be at least a dozen uploads pending approval that contain entire albums of songs. It's simply not something we should be doing. Short clips of music and video is okay, within reason, but distributing entire albums is definitely not what we're here for.

[Shockman]

What about roms that contain copyrighted images. sounds, and music? Can you host those anymore?

[jpsalas]

I have removed the mp3 files from my tables that included mp3 files.

[Noah Fentz]

C'mon, Shocky, you know better than that. Mp3's are an entirely different animal.

Thanks, JP! I'll go over them tomorrow and remove the previous versions.

[batch]

I sent you messages about my tables Motörhead, Accept and Penthouse (VPX & VP9 versions) and also to remove some VP9 tables

[Noah Fentz]

I sent you messages about my tables Motörhead, Accept and Penthouse (VPX & VP9 versions) and also to remove some VP9 tables

I thought I had gotten them all. Did I miss some?

[batch]

I just sent you a new message with a list of files to remove

Edited by batch, 24 June 2020 - 06:25 PM.

[batch]

Hi Noah, hope you're doing well

 

I sent you several messages about files to remove (with mp3) but it seems you didn't receive them

Edited by batch, 15 July 2020 - 12:02 PM.

[mfuegemann]

Hi,

 

sorry for my late action. I just removed in the three "The_Web" uploads the music archives and at for the VPX version the tables containing music.

 

Michael

[_Zaphod_]

You naturally want music in your table, but can't write your own songs, or want it to be a tribute to a band or movie.

 

There are many working approaches.

 

1) Use public domain music.  Most classical pieces count as this, and there are pretty good ones out there.  But there IS other music you can use. Many people in the 80s did just this with their computer games. they whipped up a chiptune cover of a classical song.  This can work out very well.

2) write a suspiciously similar song. one that's legally distinct enough to not get sued.  Bobby Prince was really good at this. That said, people have tried this and failed.  Notably the "I Am Man" song in the arcade ninja gaiden.  but since this is a free table, you are most likely not gonna get called on it.

 

Asking the band themselves can work, BUT the band may not actually have the authority to grant permission, and the record company is unlikely to cooperate.

 

A cover that you did yourself is PROBABLY okay for a freely available table as well, though i'm not sure enough to do this myself.