Copyright issues on Music similarities

[txtk]

I noticed that the "The Agency" music pack ( http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/a/music/the-agency ) has a track (Mission Unstoppable) that is very similar to the Mission Impossible theme. It's more probable than not that this track is based on the Mission Impossible theme, atleast in the beginning.

Can I use that track or similar tracks for commercial games?

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

Yes, you can use that track.

 

[Zabaka]

An interesting topic. I also wonder, can i use BGM and Music from movie for a non-commercial game?

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Definitely yes. Music will oftentimes borrow from, or make itself sound similar to other pieces, especially one as legendary as Mission Impossible. Think about the hundreds if not thousands of sound-alike tracks there are that sound like that ONE THEME.

You paid for the resources, and IIRC it's in the license that you can use it commercially. Use it without guilt.


Edit: Using music from a movie is risky. Unless you have express permission from the composers, It IS copyright infringement (And that's a whoooooole other thread)!

 

[Andar]

An interesting topic. I also wonder, can i use BGM and Music from movie for a non-commercial game?

No
No matter if commercial or non-commercial, ripping other resources is not legal and can get you into problems.


The original topic here was about something else, resources influences but not copied by other works. That is allowed as long as all the work is the artist's own and he/she doesn't violate trademarks (which is different from copyright)


Check the (many) topics on copyright here on this board for more details

 

[deilin]

If you watch a lot of spy movies/shows, many will have themes similar to each other. You could say Mission Impossible coppied the others, but, Mission Impossible is what most people know. The style is accepted by the genre.

 

[_Shadow_]

"Mission unstoppable" is similar to a song but it isn't a rip of that song. It isn't even a remix.

So to keep this simple, you can create something similar on music as long as you don't almost rip any part.

Otherwise music would be dead because of such a stupid law.

I listened "Mission unstoppable" and I can surely say it is well influenced by Mission Impossible, but even the well known riff is not the exact same. Correct me if I am wrong but the main riff (distinct) phrase is composed on different notes.

Being influenced by something and making something brand NEW from scratch, is a totally different thing than stealing music from somewhere, remixing it a bit, and using it as yours. No no no  no no!

 "Mission unstoppable" is a genuine composition influenced by a certain tune and the title admits its influence anyway!

 

[txtk]

So, music copyright law is different from common copyright law? I'm sure we can't remake a game, film, artwork, novel or something that have too much similarities and use it to make money without royalty payments, even if we change the name to avoid trademark infringement.

 

[_Shadow_]

There is a difference on making a remake and making a rip.

I can't take a song as it is and add a 4/4 beat at 127 bpm and claim it mine for example. I will get into serious trouble.

On the other hand, I can't patent a tune like  c#,d,c,c,d,d,d#,c BUT I CAN PATENT A WHOLE SONG.

First off something that has  too much similarities will be lame. People might actually hate it, as a rip, trust me on this.

 "Mission unstoppable" though seems really OK!!!

There are Bollywood examples of such a thing, that can make you laugh.

There are also remixes and covers.

I am not a lawyer, don't take my word for granted,  but I believe, using the DLC you mentioned will probably NOT get you into trouble.