IMSLP Forums

Hey guys.

I was hoping someone would be able to clear this up. I'm editing a short film and my director asked me to check out this website for music. Is all the music on this site in the public domain? As in, could I use this music without needing permission from someone or paying for it?

The piece of music he wants to use is Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". Can anyone see any legal problems with using this piece of music?

Thanks in advance!

All stuff available on IMSLP is PD in Canada an the US with the exception of the Creative Commons works. Of course, the Beethoven shouldn't be a Creative Commons work.

That said, how will a score be used in a short film? Are you going to hire a pianist to play it (contracts will need to be signed)? Because the copyright of a score is different from the copyright of a Recording.

Furthermore, it would not be okay to use somebody else's recording of a PD piece, since (almost certainly) the recording would be copyrighted.

If you don't have a performer, it would be possible to use MIDI output.

Furthermore, it would not be okay to use somebody else's recording of a PD piece, since (almost certainly) the recording would be copyrighted.

Unless the recording has been released into the PD, or is a NC CC license.

You can also try http://pianosociety.com/cms/index.php?section=105, but I strongly suggest asking the performer if you can use it.

Also, if your film has a budget, I strongly suggest you actually pay the musician. One of the main problems with indi films is that they ignore the musicians and composers (or in my experience treat the composer as a foley artist almost).

Yagan Kiely wrote:[...] One of the main problems with indi films is that they ignore the magicians and composers [...]

A little slip of the fingers?

Freudian slip even?

Thanks for all your help guys. We have a very miniscule budget; I haven't talked to the producer about it yet so I'm not sure how much, if any, is put aside for music.

Just to recap, it's okay to use Moonlight Sonata as long as we get the musician's permission?

Thanks again for all your help.

Yes, but remember, spoken word isn't an easy contract to uphold.

Ah, but of course. Everything we do is above board anyway. We have release forms for everything we use; locations, actors, music etc. We always keep ourselves covered.

Thanks a million for your help guys, I REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks for sharing this useful information. It's great.



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Yagan Kiely wrote:All stuff available on IMSLP is PD in Canada an the US

There are some exceptions to that, for instance Glazunov's Saxophone Concerto. That is available and is not PD in the US but PD in Canada (great copyright laws!) and the EU.

It shouldn't be downloadable though, unless there is more information. We are following US laws.

I think if the score is PD in Canada and Europe but not in the U.S., IMSLP doesn't block it. It takes two to not block it.