Question about SampleSwap

[specklefrond]

I didn't see an existing topic about this, so I made my own. (Also, is this the right section to post this?)

Anyway, sampleswap.org has some really great stuff on it that I enjoy using. However, in their FAQ section, it says this:

Are these sounds royalty-free? Can I use them in a commercial arrangement?

In two words: Not necessarily. Our policy is to require that contributors only upload original sounds that they are giving up into the public domain, but there's no way for us to be sure that 100% of the sounds on this site are free and clear from any copyright restrictions. You'll have to use your own judgement.

This worries me a bit--because, while some of the sample packs have helpful readme files that explain the license on them, others don't. So I guess my question is, how can I know for sure that the samples I'm using aren't stolen from somewhere, or are actually royalty free? I love the various drum loops I've found on the site, but the last thing I want is to get myself into copyright trouble by using them...

[Gamma-UT]

They've already told you: they can't be sure of the provenance of the samples. So, if you want to be safe don't use them or only use them privately (ie don't distribute them or music that uses them).

However, the risk of being sued if you use them is pretty limited unless you get famous. It then comes down to how much you are worried about the Loog-Oldham wallet-lightening treatment: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists ... 7-20160608

[shidostrife]

If you're not sure whether samples are royalty-free or not, consider they aren't.

Ofc if you're really persistent, you could try searching for the loops title, messaging the original uploader on the site, etc.