Have you ever been ripped? Have you ever had anyone using your art totally of partially as a part of their own creation, without asking you for your permission to do so? It feels bad and wrong doesn’t it?

And if you haven’t experienced this, think how you’d feel about it. It’s really not nice.

Music makers are just like you, artists that have the right to protect their art from being used without their permission, no matter how popular or not it is. All music is art and for that reason it’s not only morally incorrect but also illegal to use it without the creator’s consent.

The Film Team is very concerned about the music issue. We are very concerned as a part of deviantART’s Artist Relation’s team, the ones responsible to keep the Film gallery clean from copyright violations (although we don’t directly deal with them, but we review films and monitor the galleries to prevent them), and we’re concerned as Artists.

We believe a community entirely focused in art and built upon art, by artists, should know better. However, we review dozens of films and animations each day and we keep on struggling with the same issue again and again, despite the fact that we have added a pop up message window to the film application form, reminding applicants about the music copyrights, and have dedicated a great portion of the Film FAQ’s to this topic.

what’s the main issue?

Guruubii: Unfortunately, forms keep reaching us without any information concerning music sources or rights, to begin with.
FAQ #844: Can I submit a film with copyrighted music?

Nico: That means our fingers are 30% shorter than they were in October, from typing the same question over and over “Do you own the music copyright? What are your music sources?”
Not really, but yes. (and really... *measures*)

Guruu: In all seriousness, enough is enough. We know you can read, or else you wouldn't have found the form. Please read what each heading is for, and actually READ the faq. its actually a rather short body of information as far as faq's go, and on top of that, its organized in little headings.

And classical music, why not? We’ve heard that music is of public domain.

Guruu: Classical music scores are of public domain, definitely. What is not of public domain is the performance of this music.So if you use Beethoven and you’re the performer or have permission from the performers or copyright holders, he cannot come and give you crap for it, but if you use Beethoven performed by Xphilharmonic and they haven’t given you permission for it…it is a copyright violation.

And sound effects?

Nico: exactly the same occurs with sound FX. There are many providers of sound FX’s libraries for royalty free use and some softwares for edition bring their own libraries too. You simply need to look for licenses and READ THEM, and understand them before you add a sound FX to your film or animation. We have named several royalty free sources, providing low cost or even free music tracks, loops and sound FX.

And what else, besides music?

feawen: Images, footage, trademarks, characters, slogans, voices from shows ….any creative idea executed or not that doesn’t belong to you or any art (imagery, music, words) that is not your own creation and is copyrighted (or not) by third parties, you will need permission for. And that means written express and physical permission.
Guruu: Thats why you cant upload your fanfilms! Character design is done by artists! You cant just use their design and make your own works without getting written permission. Instead of thinking of work as being free just because its famous, Imagine yourself in that artists shoes! That could be you one day! Same again for Lip-sync. You cant use Homer Simpsons voice for your lip-sync. That voice is part of the Simpsons trade mark.

But they're famous, what do they care if I use thier music, they're rich!

Guruu: Oh really? Is that why some file sharing programs got shut down? Because they didn't care? Is that why CD's have a sur-charge because they don't care? No thats just poppycock! Of course they care!!! Musicians all started as people like you and like me. Playing their art in their garage as their parents screamed at them to do their homework, suffered from people telling them they would go no where. They fought their way up to fame - some harder than others - but being successful is always hard, Especially for artists of all kinds! Lets be fair to our fellow artists and give them the respect they deserve by obtaining the written permission for the music we want to use. Sometimes its hard to get, sometimes its easy. There are places like Freeplaymusic that have music for use, with free licenses. and Jamendo There are always alternatives!
Music is a very sticky thing legally, and that is because of the lack of morals people have for its use. This is also why musicians aren't able to upload to deviantART as artists.
FAQ #852: Where can I find music for my films?

If you need us, we hang around dA all the time! ^deviantartfilm is a good place to start! Come visit us for updates, and ask us if you need anything. We are here for you, and all other artists

FAQ #846: My film was removed from the gallery. Why?
FAQ #343: Will deviantART ever allow uploading of music files?
FAQ #842: How do I become a submitting member of the film community?

Your loving and devoted filmteam,

^Nico1, ^guruubii & ^feawen