Freesound Project

I'm working for Komputer for alle (Scandinavias largest computer magazine - www.komputer.dk), and we are planning an article about new sounds in Windows. We would like to include a selection (555 to be exact) of sounds for the enjoyment of our users, and the Freesound ones fit the bill well. Also I like the Creative Commons license system in general and support it whenever I have the opportunity, for example by promoting CC-licensed material.

Now, I'm in need of some legal clarifications, as a magazine is obviously a private, commercial enterprise, and we do not want to violate anyone's rights. I think that using Freesound samples on our cover CD, of course properly attributed and linked back to the web, constitutes a reasonable use of the free samples, also because it would not influence the price of the CD, thus no direct profit would be derived from them.

Would such a use of the Freesound samples be permissible?

I think this is a correct usage of freesound samples, as long as the license of the samples is CRISTAL CLEAR to your users, and the attribution is properly taken care of.

Perhaps you could send a nice donation to freesound as well?

- bram

Although I do agree with the usage of freesound samples and its links with such a magazine, I cannot however agree with the method employed.

HenrikRClausen openly states that they are to be on a 'cover CD', and we all know that cover CDs are designed to promote and sell the magazine which clearly contravenes the CC License ............'You may not use this work to advertise for or promote anything but the work you create from it. '

I am sure the best way round this is to use the method employed by other magazines eg: 'radiouser' where their monthly CD/DVD software collection detailed within the magazine can be obtained by sending them the magazine corner flash with a nominal £5 postal order or cheque. This would avoid any promotional contention!

Microscopia/HenrikRClausen,

I think Microscopia has a good point... This WOULD seem to fall under the advertising notice.

HenrikRClausen, why can't you just point to freesound as a source? Your users will be able to download the sounds from here anyway, for free!

- bram

Or you can set an intern to work and message all the sound creators whose sounds you want to include to ask for their permission. Upside is when you get their permission, you can safely include the samples on the cd. Downsides, well, it takes a lot of time to send messages to 500+ people and a lot of them probably won't reply (in time) or won't give permission.