Copyright Attribution Question

Aelianas wrote on 8/25/2020, 2:19 AM

I've been reading the forums off and on for a few days, looking for an answer to a few questions, but can't quite find the answers what I'm specifically wanting to ask.

I put together some works on Music Maker using soundpools (purchased with commercial royalty-free licenses). If allowed, I want to put them on Spotify and other platforms in order to generate revenue. Spotify says you have to go through a distributor. Distributors ask for copyright information before submitting the works.

I've read that I cannot claim copyright over the works where I use Magix soundpools, even if I purchased the commercial license for each soundpool used in the works.

So, here are my questions: Am I allowed to distribute to Spotify and other platforms for revenue if I put together a work using Magix soundpools that I purchased with commercial licenses? If I were to go through with the distribution process to have the music put on Spotify, who do I attribute the copyright information to (I would assume would be Magix, but that's what I'm here to find out specifically)? What would the format be when typing the information of the copyright owner into the Copyright Owner field?

I've also included a screenshot of the CDBaby "Basic Album Information" page with all fields defaulted in order to point out exactly what I'm referring to.

I want to make sure that I'm doing this as legally as possible in order to avoid any sort of conflict with Magix in the future due to errors on my part because I misunderstood something. The more I can learn about the process and everything involved, the better.

Comments

SP. wrote on 8/25/2020, 3:00 AM

Am I allowed to distribute to Spotify and other platforms for revenue if I put together a work using Magix soundpools that I purchased with commercial licenses?

Yes.

If I were to go through with the distribution process to have the music put on Spotify, who do I attribute the copyright information to (I would assume would be Magix, but that's what I'm here to find out specifically)?

You have the copyright of your composition.

What would the format be when typing the information of the copyright owner into the Copyright Owner field?

Your name.

Magix has the copyright of the loops you use but not of your songs created with them.

I want to make sure that I'm doing this as legally as possible in order to avoid any sort of conflict with Magix in the future due to errors on my part because I misunderstood something.

Most likely you will not have future conflict with Magix but with other artists or scammers or automated Content ID claims because the loops are used by many people. Then you'll need a proof of your commercial licence to shut them up.

johnebaker wrote on 8/25/2020, 5:45 AM

@Aelianas, @SP.

. . . . You have the copyright of your composition. . . . .

With one exception - you did not use Soundtrack Maker wizard, in which case, by strict definition, it is not your 'own work'.

. . . . Most likely you will not have future conflict with Magix but with other artists or scammers or automated Content ID claims because the loops are used by many people. Then you'll need a proof of your commercial licence to shut them up . . .

Agreed, however this where you have to be careful - only provide music publishers, radio and other commercial entities that require it - never to person or persons unknown on the Internet

John EB

Aelianas wrote on 8/25/2020, 5:54 AM

Thank you very much! That clears up everything I've been rattling my brain to understand for the last few days. I didn't use the soundtrack/automatic song maker (I don't have that feature since I'm sort of broke after getting the soundpools and can't afford anything else. 😜), so I guess I'm safe in that regard.

I have to say, I should have asked this sooner. It would have saved me the literal headache I got from trying to go back and forth to read several dozen forum posts to compile information. Thank you both for the quick responses and clear answers. I really appreciate it!