If you listen to a MIDI video game track and use your ear to write a violin-and-piano arrangement, do you own the copyright to your arrangement, or does the original composer?
The original composer still owns the copyright for the composition but you own the copyright for the performance. Just like if you sang someone else's song.
Much like cleanroom-written code, these are often made without ever looking at the official sheet music, just hearing some synth midi and figuring out a neat way to replicate the general idea using traditional instruments.
But yes, apparently it would be violating US copyright law to rearrange music this way.
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If you listen to a MIDI video game track and use your ear to write a violin-and-piano arrangement, do you own the copyright to your arrangement, or does the original composer?
The original composer still owns the copyright for the composition but you own the copyright for the performance. Just like if you sang someone else's song.
Much like cleanroom-written code, these are often made without ever looking at the official sheet music, just hearing some synth midi and figuring out a neat way to replicate the general idea using traditional instruments.
But yes, apparently it would be violating US copyright law to rearrange music this way.
http://ostrowesq.com/no-you-dont-own-your-arrangement-of-tha...