Can I sample a copyright exempt recording?

The best thing since sliced bread for the music makers.

There are some works that copyright never applied to in the first place.

The majority of works by the United States Government fall into this category, but not all of them – and most other governments don’t do the same thing.

Like expired copyrights, you’ll have to do your own research on whether or not a recording you want to sample is copyright exempt.

If you’ve uploaded your release through RouteNote and we ask about the sample/recording during the moderation process, please send in:

  • a link to where you downloaded it
  • a link to whatever information proves it is copyright exempt
  • your username
  • the UPC of the release

Check out the full RouteNote Style Guide here!

In the meantime feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns!

See also:
Will Content ID be blocked on my release if I use samples?
Can I include ‘non-profit’ or ‘copyright free’ in my release metadata?
What is the public domain?

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