I rarely use samples in my work, apart from the occasional drum loop, but I have recently purchased some vocal sample packs to use in EDM and pop productions.
I got this email today from a UK law firm. Fortunately, I haven't used any of the samples in question in anything. However, this raises the murky issue of sample libraries, in relation to their origin, even when purchased from "legitimate" sample library companies. Ironically, I received no notification from WA about this as of yet.
This is a potential legal headache for anyone who has already released tracks, had placements, etc. with work containing any of these samples.
Here is the email:
9 July 2019 By email
Dear Sir/Madam
Notice of copyright infringement
We act on behalf of Extreme Music Library Limited, which operates the Extreme Music Library (EML).
It has come to our client’s attention that packs of samples, called “Construction Kits", recently sold by WA Productions (WA) infringe our client’s copyright Specifically, these Construction Kits contained vocal samples unlawfully copied from tracks from the EML.
The specific Construction Kits in question are as follows:
We are writing to put you on notice that the vocal samples from the Construction Kits must not be used by you in any way without a formal written licence from our client. Without such a licence, any use of the vocal samples owned by our client will constitute copyright infringement, for which our client will hold you personally liable.
If you have already included the vocal samples from the Construction Kits in any work delivered to a third party, please notify such third party immediately that your work contains infringing samples and report the details of such work to us.
Finally, our client requests that you immediately delete all and any infringing vocal samples from any devices to which you may have downloaded them.
I got this email today from a UK law firm. Fortunately, I haven't used any of the samples in question in anything. However, this raises the murky issue of sample libraries, in relation to their origin, even when purchased from "legitimate" sample library companies. Ironically, I received no notification from WA about this as of yet.
This is a potential legal headache for anyone who has already released tracks, had placements, etc. with work containing any of these samples.
Here is the email:
9 July 2019 By email
Dear Sir/Madam
Notice of copyright infringement
We act on behalf of Extreme Music Library Limited, which operates the Extreme Music Library (EML).
It has come to our client’s attention that packs of samples, called “Construction Kits", recently sold by WA Productions (WA) infringe our client’s copyright Specifically, these Construction Kits contained vocal samples unlawfully copied from tracks from the EML.
The specific Construction Kits in question are as follows:
- Synthwave & Retro Dream
- Deep & Phat House
- Outlaw Mega Pack
- Big EDM - Futuregon Vocals
- Big EDM - Trap Vocals
- Big EDM - Septagon Vocals
- Vocals of Tomorrow
We are writing to put you on notice that the vocal samples from the Construction Kits must not be used by you in any way without a formal written licence from our client. Without such a licence, any use of the vocal samples owned by our client will constitute copyright infringement, for which our client will hold you personally liable.
If you have already included the vocal samples from the Construction Kits in any work delivered to a third party, please notify such third party immediately that your work contains infringing samples and report the details of such work to us.
Finally, our client requests that you immediately delete all and any infringing vocal samples from any devices to which you may have downloaded them.
