Royalty Free Music.... Is this LEGIT?

Field305Field305 Member Posts: 29
So I was browsing the web for some music and sound fx for my game and found this site. I searched for awhile and found some great tunes that would work well with my game. I tried reading the legal info but couldn't really grasp if you can use their music for paid apps. So I emailed the company and they sent this back. Is it ok to use there music and sound fx for my game with the standard license? Thanks!

"Hello

By purchasing clips from our site, you are allowed to use them under our royalty-free license agreement, which allows for worldwide, perpetual use across all media. Please read through our license agreement to see if it is agreeable for your needs. If you require a custom license agreement we may be able to accomodate you for an additional fee.

Thanks!

Kennon
Pond5 Team"

http://www.pond5.com/

Comments

  • The_Gamesalad_GuruThe_Gamesalad_Guru Member Posts: 9,922
    Do you mind if I ask, have you checkout the music in the GS marketplace?
  • gyroscopegyroscope I am here.Member, Sous Chef, PRO Posts: 6,598
    Hi @Field305

    That sounds OK to me. There are quite a few sites like this, where you pay a one-off fee for graphics, images, sounds or music and with the standard licence, you can use it within the terms of that particular licence (they all vary to degrees).

    "...perpetual use across all media" says it here, once you've purchased the clip (well, your actually paying for the usage right). Custom or Extended licences vary too but by the sound of it, this standard licence - from just reading that snippet from the reply - sounds like you're covered for use within games, as many times as you like.

    ----------------------------------------------
    http://davidgriffinapps.co.uk/

    iPad: End of the Earth game coming soon to the iTunes App Store....

    ""You are in a maze of twisty passages, all alike." - Zork        temp domain http://spidergriffin.wix.com/alphaghostapps

  • gregr209gregr209 Member Posts: 441
    Make sure you ask if what you purchased can be used in a game or app. Sometimes the rights don't extend to apps or games and only apply to web use. You really have to be careful and read the license agreement closely!

    Good luck!
  • gyroscopegyroscope I am here.Member, Sous Chef, PRO Posts: 6,598
    edited February 2012
    A good point, @gregr209 , "all media" might not cover games and apps, then again it might, depending on the company, and their interpretation of all media. As you rightly say, read the licence agreement carefully... :-)

    ""You are in a maze of twisty passages, all alike." - Zork        temp domain http://spidergriffin.wix.com/alphaghostapps

  • The_Gamesalad_GuruThe_Gamesalad_Guru Member Posts: 9,922
    I was just wondering if they even took the time to look in the marketplace to see if any of that music was preferable.
  • Rob2Rob2 Member Posts: 2,402
    edited February 2012
    @Field305 Look for CC licensed stuff (CC BY-SA) is the one to go for if I remember correctly. Loads of people are happy with a credit and the chance to get their stuff out to a wider audience. If you have a quality app you will have no problem with musicians wanting to put their music to it.

    If you are feeling creative fire up Garage Band - you can master that one in a day - and all Apple's loops (used to be called Jam Packs) are now available via the MAS (about $30 for the lot ) if you know where to look.
  • Field305Field305 Member Posts: 29
    thanks for the quick response guys. I will def be using the Gamesalad marketplace, as I am a loyal supporter of this community and product. But just a few loops were very cheap off the site for cheap so I thought "why not". But I also let them know when I wrote the email, it was for a iPhone game. Thanks!
  • imGuaimGua Member Posts: 1,089
    edited February 2012
    @Field305, you have a stalker on your avatar, that means you're my friend now :D

    I did read license agreement, faq...

    And that what I had found:

    Are All of the Files on Your Site Fully Cleared for Commercial Use?
    No. We sell both commercial use and editorial-only footage. Editorial footage will be clearly marked with a disclaimer.
    http://s3.amazonaws.com/p5iconsp/site_image/000000020.jpeg

    @FryingBaconStudios, I looked at marketplace. It sucks. No filter by genre/mood, all loops are very short and a there is lot of other problems.
  • Field305Field305 Member Posts: 29
    Yeh Stalker rocks, soooo what does that mean imGua? Is it legit to use their sound files?
  • imGuaimGua Member Posts: 1,089
    It seems so, when there is nothing in description of a sound file that says no. If I find some interestiong tracks for my project I will sure buy it.
  • billkirimbillkirim Member Posts: 2
    you have to be very carefull with the licenses.. i do not believe that the standar license covers your needs..

    i use http://www.themusicase.com for royalty free music and in the license agreement you have to purchase the "platinum license" for apps, games e.t.c.
    http://www.themusicase.com/texts/license.html

    Ask them to answer your specific question and not redirect you to their license agreement page..
    Thanks
  • rock1rock1 Member Posts: 12
    Different websites have different use clauses in their royalty-free licenses. Most have at least these two: non-commercail license, commercial license. Usually the commercial license costs more than the non-commercial license, but means you can use the music or sound effect in pretty much any game and sell that game. Pretty much all music and sound effects have copyright, but in purchasing the license you are then allowed to sync the music or sfx with your project and then sell your game, app, video or whatever. Most suppliers however won't allow you to re-sell their music or sfx as raw files or alter them and sell them as a new sound effect or song if you know what I mean.
    There is a good article on understanding royalty-free music at
    http://rocksuresoundz.com/2011/10/11/royalty-free-music-what-is-it/
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