Plagiarism and standard logic samples

[Silje]

My song "road trip" got returned for listing D101229RI with the following comment: "A very fun track but this is too close to the classic pop song "The In Crowd". There would be copyright issues with using this."

I had never heard the track "The In Crowd", but I looked it up on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... crowd&aq=f

You can hear my track on http://www.taxi.com/silje

Of course I can see the similarities, but I do not agree it is a case of copyright issues. In my opinion, the similarities is based on the I-IV-V chord progression, and the first phrase which is commonly used in this type of music. Also, this melody line is a standard logic sample and not something I wrote! Does this mean that you can encounter copyright issues by using the samples that comes with logic?

The intro to my piece is also a standard logic sample. Jessica Simpson used the exact same sample in the production of her version of "these boots are made for walking", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPtfsk4ETjM (video 1:37)

I would like another review of this track, how do I contact taxi regarding that? I looked at the contact page, but it was not clear to me what contact to use for a question regarding a submitted listing. Also, I know this might be the wrong forum for this question, but does anyone have any thoughts regarding the samples that comes with logic and copyright?

: )

Silje

[t4mh]

Not sure how I feel about using the samples that come with Logic. I haven't used any of them "yet". I tend to find most of that kind of content less useful to me. I usually am looking for something that requires modification or customization in some way and most sample content that I modify comes from other sources than that included in Logic. But thats just me and part of my idosyncrasy... I don't necessarily think using a stock sample is a bad thing or the stuff that comes with Logic for that matter.

I'm not sure who you should contact at TAXI. Just call the main 1-800 number on the website and let them direct your call. I don't know if you'll get the answer you want but I always learn something when I call there!

Good Luck!

[billg1]

I don't know anything in regards to the legalities of the samples in Logic, I think a big part of the problem here is that your opening melody is exactly the same as the opening melody of The In Crowd, which oddly enough happens to be the hook of the song . . ."I'm in with the in crowd" is the only memorable melody from that song (not to mention it contains the title). At first listen & without knowing the situation, I would have had the impression you were doing a cover . . . until the changes of course. If that's a direct "riff" from Logic then shame on Logic is what I say. Someone should have known better.

[nick.moxsom]

Not sure if I've misunderstood, but my interpretation of this is that the screener thinks your organ line is too close to "The In Crowd", although it falls on a different part of the bar (your sixth note being the 1 beat of the bar). In my opinion, it's a pretty standard opening to a 60's 12-bar jazzy piece à la Booker T and the MG's, and not too close to be construed as plagiarism. But then some people just don't want to take risks. If your opening G note was a Bb, probably nobody would notice.

Nick