So - here are our top FAQs:
Is
it any good?
What
do you mean by "copyright-free"?
Is
"copyright-free" the same as "royalty-free"?
What
is copyright?
Can
I use your music commercially?
Are
there any repeat fees?
Are
there any limitations on using your music?
If
I use your music in my video/film/CD-ROM/DVD/software/ring tones/answering
machine etc.. do I still have to pay MCPS fees?
If
I use your music in my restaurant/shop/hotel/exhibition etc. do I still
have to pay PRS fees?
Do
I need to credit NVM?
Back to Copyright-free Music Library
Yes! (Next question please!)
Seriously, when we first started selling copyright-free music by mail order in 1992, most of the competition (not all) was poor. Times have changed. These days you should at least expect a good quality recording as equipment is better and cheaper.
We believe that our strengths are in musicality - you can usually listen to our music and enjoy it rather than accepting that it will probably be good enough for "something in the background". We make a point of using real musicians with real musical instruments on most of our recordings - giving you a human feel rather than "tick-tock".
And the proof is in our many excellent reviews. our huge customer base, and our music.
What do you mean by "Copyright-free"?
We own all the copyrights (where they exist) on our music. So - our music is our property, and we can do what we like with it. We choose to release it in albums which you buy along with our "Licence for Unrestricted Use", which allows you unlimited use of the music in your productions, or as background music.
Is "Copyright-free" the same as "Royalty-free"?
Yes!
Another term is "non-copyright"
When you create a work it is essentially your property - you automatically hold the copyright to your work. This is fine until you try to sell it or make it public in some way, because then you must be absolutely sure that your work does not contain somebody else's work which is itself under copyright. A regular example of this is video of a wedding reception. The video is yours, but if you have recorded any of the music you do not have the right to duplicate (copy) it. The result is stalemate. You can't use your video because of the music, and, likewise, the owner of the music couldn't use your video because they are your shots,
What we do is get out of the problem by licensing. This can be a formal licence such as those provided by the MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society), an informal agreement with a friend who writes and performs some music specially for you, or buying a copyright-free music CD.
We should also mention Option 4, which is breaking the law. Organisations such as MCPS and the PRS (Performing Rights Society) take copyright infringement (which is basically stealing) very seriously. They can and do prosecute offenders. They also police music use very thoroughly, and your chances of being caught are much higher than you might think!
Going back to legal solutions ours is "Copyright-free Music" (also known as Royalty-free Music and Buyout Music) where you buy our CDs and we give you a formal and signed "Licence for Unrestricted Use" giving you unlimited use of the music.
NOTE 1: Copyright is fairly complex, but there are straightforward ways to understand it. We will be adding a more comprehensive section on music copyright soon.
NOTE 2: Our notes refer to the UK, but similar laws and copyright-policing organisations exist in most countries.
Can I use your music commercially?
Yes - you can (easy answer!)
No - there aren't (another easy answer!)
Are there any limitations on using your music?
Yes - one small one. We sell our music for use in other people's creations, which range from productions such as videos and DVDs through to creating a pleasant atmosphere in a restaurant or exhibition. We do not permit its use by itself as audio tracks (for example on a music CD) or as unmixed broadcast ("Here's a great track from NVM..").
The example we use to explain this is paint. You buy a can of paint and paint your door with it. The painted door is still yours - the paint manufacturer does not have any claim on it. BUT - if you make your own paint and sell it in his cans, or if you steal his recipe, then he would probably sue you!
You can see the exact wording of this limitation in our Licence for Unrestricted Use.
If I use your music in my video/film/CD-ROM/DVD/software/ring tone/answering machine etc.. do I still have to pay MCPS fees?
The simple answer to this is "Not on our music". But, it is vital to realise that using our music does not give you indemnity to use someone else's music. So - if you use a pop hit as well you still have to pay for it.
For full details of licensing rates for music in copyright pleas contact the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS), in Streatham High Street, London, UK.
If I use your music in my restaurant/shop/hotel/exhibition etc. do I still have to pay PRS fees?
NO
- IF YOU ONLY USE OUR MUSIC.
YES
- IF YOU USE ANY OTHER IN-COPYRIGHT MUSIC - THIS INCLUDES RADIO, TV,
AND YOUR FRIEND'S CDS!
No.
But - credits and links to http://www.nvmdigital.com are always very welcome!
Why can't I order more than one item at a time in your shop?
THE BELOW WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR D-COMMERCE SHOP WHICH IS CURRENTLY REPLACED BY ONE OPERATED THROUGH PAYPAL, WITH WHICH THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE.
If you are unlucky you may find that every time you add another item the previous one disappears. This is probably because your browser is blocking the cookies which the shop uses to remember what you've bought. This happens particularly with Windows XP and with Internet Explorer version 6.0, where the default setting for cookies (medium) is too high.
There are three ways round this:
1) Change the setting for cookies on your browser - . For Internet Explorer v 6.0 click on "tools", then "Internet Options", then "Security". With the slider bar on the left change the setting either to "Low" (2nd from last) or "Accept all cookies" (last). Then click "Apply" (bottom right) and close the "Internet Options" box.
When you've finished ordering you can if you wish change it back again.
2) Become a registered customer when you make your purchase, which should prevent future problems.
3)
Order each item individually. This does take longer, and we sincerely apologise
for the inconvenience.