General Discussions

**Spud In Disguise** · 08-31-2008, 07:13 PM

Hey, I was just wondering about the legality of posting streamable music on a blog.

I have a blog where I recommend songs to my readers, or in some cases albums and playlists. Now, I personally am totally against pirating music, so I make sure each of my posts contains a link to a place where the song can be legally purchased or downloaded. In some cases where I find songs that the band have released for free download I will post the link – but only if I am totally sure the band is responsible for the release.

I would, however, love to be able to include the song for people to stream before they click through to the various online stores. Just so that they know whether they actually like the music or not. Can any one provide any info on the legality of this? I won’t make it possible to download the song via my blog, just so people can listen to it. If this isn’t possible where would I stand with 30 second samples?

Thanks for any info you can offer me

**kb241** · 09-01-2008, 04:17 PM

I don't have a direct answer, but maybe a possibility of where to look. Last.fm is currently streaming both 30 second samples and full songs. It would be interesting to see how they are protecting themselves legally by doing so.

**Learning Newbie** · 09-01-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spud In Disguise

I would, however, love to be able to include the song for people to stream before they click through to the various online stores. Just so that they know whether they actually like the music or not. Can any one provide any info on the legality of this? I won’t make it possible to download the song via my blog, just so people can listen to it. If this isn’t possible where would I stand with 30 second samples?

It's actually really easy. If the band lets you do this, either out of the goodness of their hearts, or because you paid them for permission, you can do it. If you don't have their permission, you can't. Putting a link from your site to theirs works, if the band decides to trade their product for advertising on your site.

**Spud In Disguise** · 09-01-2008, 05:16 PM

mmm, I may have to just include a video from youtube of the song instead or something...

**jv17** · 09-02-2008, 10:08 AM

i guess that is ok..that's why some of the websites provide embedded codes so that you can put it in your site..

**nyef** · 09-02-2008, 12:25 PM

If people can listen to it from your website, they can download it from your website. There is no way to stop them from finding a way. If nothing else, they can record the song as it is playing on their system. There are much easier ways to save embedded music, though.

**Spud In Disguise** · 09-02-2008, 04:35 PM

But the point is I don't just want to hand it over on a plate.

I provide the links to buy the music legally, because I personally feel that is the right thing to do, and myself do not even attempt to obtain music illegally.

But it's a tall order to expect people to just go on my word without hearing the songs in the first place.

Surely there's a thread of human decency left out there!?

**jabo** · 09-03-2008, 02:30 AM

Know the social network Friendster? they allow the users to include a soundtrack or an MTV in their profile page, I guess you could imitate that or something

**Spud In Disguise** · 09-03-2008, 04:50 AM

It's a nice thought, but I think they probably some pretty high licencing fees to be able to offer that feature!

**jamaine12** · 09-03-2008, 05:21 AM

There are some sites that allow downloading songs and you don't need to worry about the license.

**Spud In Disguise** · 09-03-2008, 05:27 AM

True, again if the Artist is ok with then I'll go ahead - but ONLY if the artist is ok with it, be it a signed or un-signed name it makes no difference.

Won't have to worry about the license??