Questions about the use of samples from LMMS in my music

[andra17game]

Hi everyone,

I'm kind of confused, so here are the questions I have: I understand that LMMS is under GPL, but does this really apply to the files containing the samples? Am I allowed to use these files in my music and publish it on YouTube or elsewhere? Apart from some forum posts on here, I couldn't find much information about the licensing of individual samples on the LMMS website, only that the software itself is under GPL. What license are these samples under? Or does it vary by sample? If someone could provide a link to that license, that would be very appreciated.

[musikbear]

Hi everyone,

Hi, Welcome to the Forum andra17game!
Here are all important links:
http://lmms.io/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4740
-A few rules and useful forum instructions
If you like to introduce yourself, to the community, go here:
http://lmms.io/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4480

I understand that LMMS is under GPL, but does this really apply to the files containing the samples?

GPL2, actually. Samples are a grey-zone. You are not allowed to re-publish any sample in any circumstance, but used inside derogative work, you are allow to use any sample as long as your derogative work does not leave the sample un-altered. That rule is to avoid anyone just dragging samples into a project and publish that. Re-publishing is forbidden!
Everything else related to license can be read here:
https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/legal/license

[andra17game]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

Could you please clarify what you mean by "grey-zone"? Do you mean that these samples that come with LMMS aren't associated with any license? If that's the case, how can I be sure I am allowed to use them in my music?

Thanks

[musikbear]

how can I be sure I am allowed to use them in my music?

They are just not cleared for redistribution as samples. Used in altered form in your derivative projects, they are ok to use, but not isolated in a project witch only purpose would be to re-publish these samples. That is not allowed!
Sorry for the postponed answer, but as you may have noticed, the forum has been temporary down.

[andra17game]

Sorry for the postponed answer, but as you may have noticed, the forum has been temporary down.

No worries, and yes, I have noticed that, but I am glad the forums are back up now.

I am still conflicted about this though. From what you're saying, I understand you're only supposed to use these samples in your own derivative works and not redistribute them as is, but is there a license that states this? This is why I asked you earlier if these samples were associated with any license, as I would need a formal document (license) to be sure. If you could provide me with information about what license the samples are under (if any), that would be greatly appreciated.

[musikbear]

Sorry for the postponed answer, but as you may have noticed, the forum has been temporary down.

No worries, and yes, I have noticed that, but I am glad the forums are back up now.

I am still conflicted about this though. From what you're saying, I understand you're only supposed to use these samples in your own derivative works and not redistribute them as is, but is there a license that states this? This is why I asked you earlier if these samples were associated with any license, as I would need a formal document (license) to be sure. If you could provide me with information about what license the samples are under (if any), that would be greatly appreciated.

No, there are no license for the samples. They were 'found' some 20 odd years back by orr Dev Tobydox, and has been shipped with LMMS for decades. You can limit your usage to only the Drumsynth samples. They are GPL2.

[tresf]

is there a license that states this?

Sadly no. We are aiming to replace all of our bundled assets to be CC0, but haven't made it there yet.

For all intents and purposes, use our samples however you like in your derivative projects (sell them if you wish!). No one will copyright claim the samples we bundle as part of a derivative work.

Why is this gray? Well, we inherited other's mistakes, like this one: viewtopic.php?p=80762

In the case of the above link, we did try to get clarification on the exact license but didn't receive a reply. So, until this sample replacement is done we encourage people to assume no attribution is needed for any of the stock samples we bundle. If you're still super cautious, you can avoid them completely.