Several weeks ago I designed an Anti-Anti-Piracy Seal for creators who aren't concerned with file sharing and federal level copyright infringement. While browsing the Creative Commons (a nonprofit organization that offers a flexible copyright for creative work) website, I found a resource of downloadable logos. One logo, the Share Music License, is in the same vein as my Anti-Anti-Piracy Seal and would look just as good on the back of an album.
Creative Commons Music Sharing License
This license is aimed at the musician that wants to spread their music on web and filesharing networks legally for fans to download and share, while protecting the music from commercial use or remixing of any kind.
Put the logo below on your web page and let your fans know they can legally download, file-share, and trade your music but not sell, or make any commercial use out of it. They must also give you attribution when using your music, and cannot make remixes without permission. When a fan clicks on the logo, they will see this notice.
While I agree with the concept of Creative Commons, and actually license some of my work under it - I feel the complicated legality is completely unecessary.
If you implicitly state that your work is open to filesharing, free to remix/alter, or in the public domain - then that should be all you need to say or print. Attaching a license to everything only encourages lawsuits and misuse. For example, since there is now a method to license every form of use, it could be argued that if no license is attached something, than it can be used without permission.
If you don't want anyone to misuse your creative work, then copyright it. I hate feeling obligated to license something just so someone else can use it - because me saying "You can use it" isn't good enough.
Yes I can be very lazy and always hate "the man." And finally, before I go, here is the link to the Creative Commons Logo Press Kit.
Article was last edited on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 4:51 PM
