KVR Audio

Oguru · Post by **Oguru** » Sat Dec 07, 2013 1:23 pm

Hi, I just joined this forum because I want to try to get more involved with the community side of music production and I have a question.

I'm making a track at the moment with hip hop vocals over a dubstep backing. Over certain key words (like R2D2), i've added sounds in the backing to make the lyrics fit better with the backing. However, i'm concerned about copyright issue and whether i will have any.

Ideally I would like to use an actual sample of this but i've used synths to mimic a couple of the sounds R2D2 makes as i initially thought this would bypass any potential legal issues as i'm not sampling straight from the films etc. Now i'm not so sure. Skynet is also mentioned in the track and i've made a sound similar to the one every couple of seconds about 3 mins in on here

Would i need permission to actually use these sounds in my track? The skynet one is not quite as similar to the original sound as the r2d2 one but would i still have an issue? I did read about sample clearance but that seemed to relate to sampling other music as opposed to films (although in this case the terminator theme might be relevant to that if it is required).

Thanks

Plyphon · Post by **Plyphon** » Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:31 pm

Are you planning on selling your track?

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:15 am

Since you're not using a sample, there's no copyright on the recording. But they might think otherwise: infringement of the character. Disney for example might take action if you draw three spheres in a certain configuration

The appropriate route I think would be to contact LucasFilm about the issue and explain exactly what you're doing and weather that might lead to legal actions from their side.
http://www.lucasfilm.com/inside/faq/

How can I get approval to use a photograph or film clip?
Lucasfilm manages the rights to films in the Star Wars saga and the Indiana Jones trilogy, as well as Red Tails, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Willow and Labyrinth, and requests related to those films should be directed to ClipAndStill@Lucasfilm.com

Oguru · Post by **Oguru** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:46 pm

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, i'm planning on selling the track. I will get in contact with them and see what they say.

Oguru · Post by **Oguru** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:58 pm

I emailed them about it and am trying to find who to email regarding the terminator sound. The production company that made it (Hemdale Communications) is defunct though, so i'm not sure who to contact about it. Any ideas?

Frantz · Post by **Frantz** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:14 pm

If these are original sounds, you don't need anyone's permission to use them. I wouldn't bother contacting LucasFilm. I suggest keeping your synth patches used to create them in case any questions arise in the future.

Oguru · Post by **Oguru** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:00 pm

Ah ok, i've already emailed them about it though. If they say i can't do it should i just go ahead with it anyway?

Oguru · Post by **Oguru** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 10:31 pm

I just got a reply from them, here it is:

"Thank you for your email dated December 9, 2013 requesting authorization to use STAR WARS™, R2-D2™ sound effects and proprietary elements from the Star Wars motion pictures in connection with your dubstep track. Although we appreciate your interest, we cannot grant you the permission you seek. We receive many requests seeking permission to use material from the Star Wars motion pictures, and we are unfortunately unable to grant permission for uses that are not associated more closely with our films.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is the sole and exclusive owner of the Star Wars motion pictures and any other Star Wars properties. These properties and unique elements that appear therein are protected by the copyright and trademark laws of the United States and other nations. Please note that any unauthorized use of these names, characters, music and images would, at a minimum, be inappropriate. "

Not exactly clear on whether i can synthesize the sound which is also what i asked them if i couldn't sample it directly. Any advice?

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 10:42 pm

Of course you can make your own sounds and use them in your own songs. By the way, I know the guy who currently owns the Arp 2600 used to make R2D2's voice!

Oguru · Post by **Oguru** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 4:58 pm

Cool, i'll keep it in then, thanks. And wow, that's awesome! I bet it cost a lot

kalel76 · Post by **kalel76** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:47 am

Hey deastman,
Does the guy that owns the ARP 2600 know the formula to creating R2D2's beeps and boops? I'm looking to create a bank for a custom R2 droid. Or if you know of any information at all that may be helpful. Thanks!
Clinton

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:15 am

Just analyse the waveforms & pitch envelopes. It's not too difficult to come with something simular.

But LucasFilm WILL send their lawyers after you, since you published an infringement on one of their trademarked characters. And you don't have a chance if that comes to court, since there is a precedented case (Disney, three circles) so better save up for the settlement out of court!

Read up: http://www.legalzoom.com/intellectual-p ... ed-use-not

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:48 am

I'm sure he's made some R2 sounds with that ARP... how could you not?! He's a "friend of a friend", so I'm not really in a position to get info from him about it. To my ears, it sounds like a lot of snippets of an oscillator being modulated by sample and hold fed by a noise generator. I never really got on well with the 2600 myself- the layout feels so foreign compared to modern conventions.

Copyright issues with synthesizing an R2D2 sound?