IMSLP closed undefinately :(

Nikolas · Sat 20/10/2007 10:27:14

http://imslp.org/

For those who didn't know. IMSLP was a FREE, non COMMERCIAL, non gathering money database (wiki based) of FREE, and COPYRIGHT FREE ONLY scores.

However they received a cease and disist (or however it's spelled) letter from Universal Editions (the mother f*ckers and I'm not sorry to use this term), thus this amazing site is down, for who knows how long, or for ever.

And the letter: http://imslpforums.org/Second%20U-E%20Cease%20and%20Desist%20Letter.pdf

Notice that there is NOTHING WRONG yet, but in case that something DOES happen, they want imslp.org closed down.

A really awful thing! A really awful thing!

Radiant · Sat 20/10/2007 10:38:43

Perhaps you should contact the FSF. They have lawyers and funds for this kind of thing.

Nikolas · Sat 20/10/2007 10:50:10

What's the FSF??? Free Software Foundation???

Radiant · Sat 20/10/2007 11:04:34

Yes.

I'm aware that music isn't software, but they are also guardians of many kinds of free licenses.

RickJ · Sat 20/10/2007 12:33:02

Nikolas,

This is why I posted that link awhile back to give input to the US congress about preserving fair use rights under copyright law. I saw
this article in Redhat Magazine today about some guy who was hassled by security guards for taking pictures of his kids.

In addition to the Free Software Foundation the Electronic Frontier Foundation may also be of help. Maybe you could get someone like google interested in taking this over. They are already doing this with youtube and books so why not music? Anyway here are links to FSF - Free Software Foundation and the EFF - Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Nikolas · Sat 20/10/2007 16:32:48

Thanks guys

There are already 2 universities law departments working on the issue, but the legal fees involved are rather huge...

The actual letter, could be dealt with, by removing the obvious EU scores that "might" violate copyright, but then again the letter was not about a case, but something that could potentialy happen (which is the biggest bullshit I've ever read actually in my life!)

I'm honestly sadden by this!

Extremely I might say.

Kweepa · Sat 20/10/2007 16:51:30

Unbelievable.
Surely a judge would just throw this out of court since there's zero evidence of wrongdoing?
Next they'll send a cease and desist to the entire internet, just in case someone somewhere breaks copyright law.

Couldn't the current, provably legal, archive be kept online? As long as additions weren't possible, I don't see how a judge could possibly say there was a case. The community would probably die though.

Another frustrating example of the buying of "justice".

Radiant · Sat 20/10/2007 17:02:53

Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Sat 20/10/2007 16:51:30
Unbelievable.
Surely a judge would just throw this out of court since there's zero evidence of wrongdoing?

That's how the American legal system works - you can tie your commercial opponents up in lengthy procedures. Witness the SCO v. Linux suit a year ago, they didn't have a case either.

LimpingFish · Sat 20/10/2007 22:50:55

This has little to do with protecting copyright.

It's to do with the Media Industry's perception that anything you get for free takes food out of their mouths, regardless of it's copyright-free/non-commercial status.

And, as has been said, these lawsuits are simply meant to financially cripple anybody who thinks otherwise.

Copyright, in the US at least, is experiencing a period of lunacy as companies/guilds/individuals twist and distort (not to mention plainly fabricate) what copyright is and what it should protect.

This isn't the first instance of this behaviour, and it certainly won't be the last.

Erwin_Br · Sat 20/10/2007 23:58:44

Not to mention the patenting system.

--Erwin