ask a moderator

[the_wretched]

As to keep things organized, let's try to keep to one thread for people to ask moderators about general problems and general questions. If you're having a problem that is new and you don't see it discussed here, feel free to start a new topic in this forum.
So think of this as a "random NIN questions" for remix.nin.com.
I will edit this post later sticky a post with an FAQ of general problems/questions that have been asked thus far on The Spiral and Echoing The Sound.
The FAQ can be found here.

[doridoreau]

ok, this forum seems to be a good idea, i was just searching for an answer on ets (i'm "Xanthippe") and didn't find anything helpful.

so here's my question: what kind of copyrights apply to all of these remixes? i'd love to present the best, funniest, weirdest remixes on my private blog at chaoscantina.wordpress.com/ but need to know if it's ok to host the files on my blog's webspace and to add a player for each one, maybe a download link, too. if it's ok, i need to know what kind of copyright information i need to add to make sure no greedy advocate will bite my hairy ass.

i need to add that in germany there's a low species of advocates who make money with complaints about copyrights and stuff, even without a specific order from the copyright holders. the money is made with ludicrous fees who come with the complaint, and our law allows this practice

i hope you can help me, since i can't find anything on remix.nin.com either. or if i'm blind, please direct me so i can see the light ;D

thanks in advance!

[swimfin]

Well, I think we should be careful about giving any legal advice – obviously we are not experts, but we can certainly debate and research the topic. I personally find the topic very interesting and would love to hear other’s ideas on how copyrights come into play with remixes. I see on your blog that you have cited the creative commons licenses that apply to the original work, including links on the music streams, downloads etc., which is what I would suggest for anyone.

For remixes, I would do the same; cite the original commons license with a link to remix.nin.com explaining the source of the file, if the multitracks are available there, or a short explanation if the files were found on a purchased DVD (like the YZremix package or the Ghosts deluxe package for those files that aren’t available for download).

I think it’s straightforward when the original works were licensed with cc (which for now are only Ghosts and The Slip; I’m not sure about Saul’s N.Tardust – I’ll will check into that). But what about the files that are available that aren’t cc, like YZ, Only, THTF and all the other files that Trent has made available for download on nin.remix.com. My thought is that if you cite the source, you would be OK.

But, I have read about some things that have happened in Germany, and I would be cautious. You may want to use only the cc licensed files. Of course Trent and Saul would never go after anyone, and even Interscope at this point probably couldn’t care less, but if any internet geek can make a complaint that can lead to a violation, then I would be careful. Have you found any other German blogs that have hosted remixed music? I wonder it anyone else has already set a precedent.

Your blog is very nice, btw. I don’t know the German language, but it is so well organized and linked that I enjoyed viewing it (I supposed it helps that I’m a NINgeek also).


I’d like to eventually provide some links and articles on this subject (maybe a separate thread?), especially concerning creative commons, which is a very interesting subject on it’s own. And if anyone has any other ideas, suggestions, links to articles, etc, please post them.

[the_wretched]

Really wish I knew a straight forward answer. Like swimfin said, it would probably be fine if you cited things properly, but especially being in Germany, you never can be too sure. I can e-mail Rob asking, but I can't promise a swift response (poor busy guy).

Also, swimfin, a topic about CC would be great, feel free to start it up. I know little on the subject, so I would probably have little input.