New forum added - jam tunes

For us non-dot readers how about an MP3 download with homework? You got enough server space for such a thing?

We are laying the foundations for just such a feature in our groups, which are currently under development. We don't have enough space for a free-for-all and are likely to charge a nominal sum for a bit of space. It won't be in our first cut at groups (because so much else will be) but yes, we like the idea a lot.

I always seem to be the wet blanket, but consider what tunes might get posted and what copyright issues you might become involved with if you provide this type of hosting.

Just a thought.

Banjo Brad
www.PricklyPearMusic.net

I hardly see you as a wet blanket. You and a handful of others are helping shape the site, and we appreciate that.

Copyright worries us too. Even on allowing sheet music PDF files or MIDI files, and especially with mp3s. We think we can mitigate this by having a clear policy in place on acceptable use, a way for copyright holders to work with us if violations are found and then a modest barrier to entry, such as a reasonable annual fee for a set amount of space for a download area within a group. We hope this would limit the feature only to the people who would use the feature to share as you do on your site and not as a location to share content that violates the law.

It is a challenge indeed.

Scott

Scott-

The overriding problem is that it's the music associations, BMC, ASCAP, RIAA, etc. that basically send you a notice saying "Pay up or Shut down, our lawyers are drafting the suit as we speak" or just go to your ISP and say "Copyright violations, shut 'em down!" You could go off line with not advance warning. You would need to post something like ezFolk, and police the entries, removing anything that you find isn't PD.

Tough to do, I know. I just ran across a posted .mp3 for a tune that was written in 1928 on a site that claims it provides PD stuff in it's name.

Banjo Brad
www.PricklyPearMusic.net