Apple provided soundtracks in iMovie - copyright issues on with Sony on facebook?

I made a simple video, posted it on facebook and Sony claims copyright to the audio. Facebook removes the soundtrack, no appeal, nothing. This is the audio I used:


iMovie > Contents > Resources > iLife Sound Effects > Jingles > Three Pointer Long.caf


Do I not have royalty-free use of the audio that comes with iMovie? If I do, anybody know how to make Apple aware that Sony is claiming ownership to the iMovie audio library?


Thanks.


Paul

Posted on Jan 23, 2020 5:13 PM

Reply
3 replies

Jan 23, 2020 6:24 PM in response to Paul Williams3

You are not the only one who has asked about use of iMovie's audio media. Responses have been unclear or at least varied.


Open iMovie and go to iMovie/About iMovie/License agreement. Read the entire license agreement, but particularly the last paragraph of Paragraph 2G that says:

"The Apple Software contains media content including but not limited to graphics, audio clips, video clips

and/or templates (“Media Content”). This Media Content is proprietary to Apple and/or its licensors, and

is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws, including but not limited to copyright.

Except as otherwise provided, all Media Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a

royalty-free basis in your own video projects but may not be distributed on a standalone basis (and

audio Media Content may only be used for your own personal, non-commercial use)." (Emphasis added.)


The bold faced words that have been emphasized above are newly added. They weren't there last year. There may be a question as to whether uploading to a social media site, thus broadcasting to the public, goes beyond "personal use". I don't know. Also, "royalty-free" does not necessarily mean copyright free.


Copyright laws are a briar patch. Takes a specialty lawyer to figure them out. If you can't persuade FaceBook to post the video your only option is to remove the audio or change the audio to something that is not copyrighted.


-- Rich







Jan 23, 2020 8:17 PM in response to Rich839

I could be wrong, but I read this to mean uploading your iMovie videos for non-commercial purposed is okay. I think using them, for example, to make money on YouTube would not be okay.


Even the sharing option on iMovie allows for preparing your project for facebook uploading. It would be very odd to offer the facebook sharing option if the contents of the project are not allowed to be uploaded to facebook.


Has Apple ever officially chimed in on this to clarify this aspect of the user license? Does anybody know?

Jan 23, 2020 8:47 PM in response to Paul Williams3

I am not aware that Apple has chimed in to clarify exactly what is “personal use”, and specifically whether iMovie’s “royalty free” media content may be published as a part of your project on social media or elsewhere where the public or persons beyond your household can access it, if there is no monetary or commercial use involved. I would like to see an Apple bulletin on that subject because there is much confusion out there.


— Rich






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Apple provided soundtracks in iMovie - copyright issues on with Sony on facebook?

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