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Can i sell images of soundwaves?

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crayne

New member
Can I create soundwaves from music, and then create the image along with the title and artist, selling it as an image?
 


quincy

Senior Member
Can I create soundwaves from music, and then create the image along with the title and artist, selling it as an image?
You would want permission from the musical artist to create a derivative of his music.
 

quincy

Senior Member
...or her music ;)
Yes. Or her music. :)

The artist who created the musical work holds exclusive copyrights in the work (absent an agreement to the contrary) and one of the exclusive rights of a copyright holder is the exclusive right to create derivative works.

There could be an argument that the soundwave image is a transformative use of the original musical work (adding new expression to the original) but that would be an argument for court should the artist object to the use (and court actions can get costly).

crayne would be smartest to contact the owner of the rights and obtain permission.
 
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FlyingRon

Senior Member
Frankly, doubtful most observers would recognize "sound wave" plots. You could just as well make prints of you singing the Star Spangled Banner in the shower. But then you still have the problem that you are attempting to use what would likely amount as the artists' trademarks to promote your work and you'd run afoul of that.
 

quincy

Senior Member
Frankly, doubtful most observers would recognize "sound wave" plots. You could just as well make prints of you singing the Star Spangled Banner in the shower. But then you still have the problem that you are attempting to use what would likely amount as the artists' trademarks to promote your work and you'd run afoul of that.
Right. The image alone probably wouldn't attract any attention (including attention from buyers :)).

It would be the use of the artist's name that would attract the attention of the public and the artist's attorney(s) to the soundwave image.

It could be s costly legal risk without permission granted from the artist first.
 

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