Thanks, that makes sence but there're so many sites offering ringtones for free. So in reality they should pay for every download the author of the song which is a bit crazy but then again not all of us can make such popular songs.

back around 2000-2001 there was an organization that started shutting down big midi sites (free and professional ones). i dont remember exactly what they said they infringed on- it might of been the notation or "likeliness" to the copyrighted song.

i'll look up the info and post it


edit:
Some MIDI website owners have been sued by TMI aka Trycho Music International aka Stephen Kern. No warnings, no requests to remove the MIDIs, just a summons delivered by the local sheriff's dept.

Don't believe that? Click here to see how many site owners have been sued by this one person. Even credit card companies and banks will give you a warning notice first before having a summons issued.

Some of the more "lucky" website owners are just told to remove their site immediately by The Harry Fox Agency, ASCAP, BMI and possibly other music agencies, OR pay royalties in excess of $500,000 USD. Others just had their pages deleted, without any warning, by the server that hosts them. And still others are just afraid of the whole thing and removed the pages themselves.

Sounds unfair doesn't it? Well it is! The music industry does all they can to make their songs a part of our lives, then say, "I'm sorry, but you have to pay me if you want to use this music." Which is fine, if you are making money from using their songs. And, everyone has that "special" song. You know, the one you shared when you first fell in love, the one you play when everything is getting you down. Remember the first song you ever learned? Mine was "The ABC Song". If that song was written after 1924, then technically you have to wait 95 years from the day it was copyrighted before you can legally use it for free.

But what if you have a personal website that you do as a hobby or for fun and not for money? Then what are you supposed to do? Pay hundreds and thousands of dollars just to be able to share with others for free? Of course, you wouldn't be able to do THAT anymore. You would have to charge for each and every MIDI. And your not doing this as a business. Sadly, you shut down your pages that you worked so hard on and are so proud of. If you would like to read more details about this, and what is happening to website owners, CLICK HERE.

And if you would REALLY like to help to get your favorite MIDIs back on the interent, then show your support and help with the fight to "FREE THE MIDI". Let's show them that we won't just give up what we believe in. Our plan is to ask Congress to add the "Personal Web Site" to the Fair Use section of the Copyright Act. And the majority of MIDI websites are just that, personal websites. A way to share the love of music with others for free. And with your help, we can become one BIG voice that can't be ignored! So, if you enjoy listening to MIDIs, please CLICK HERE to become a support member and join the MRA Newsletter. It's free, and it's for a really good cause. And do it before personal MIDI sites become "Dust In The Wind".


Hidden Content


so yea the next time you're walkin down the street whistlin your fav tune, u might wanna be careful cuz some exec could serve u some papers

I don't know the specifics but I think if its in the artists contract then yea they take a portion of it..depends on the site and what contract if for what and blahblah but I don't think too many artists worry about getting paid for ringtones anyway

Hey,

Wanted to ask if its legal to make and download free ringtones. Or do authors of the songs have to get paid of every download of their ringtones. Not that i would like to pay (i like free ringtones) but would like to know how this works.

Thanks