Version: 1.0
Date: 2026-02-11
Purpose: Track the origin of every MIDI file used in production
MIDI files can carry copyright in two ways:
1. Composition copyright — the melody/harmony itself (solved by using public domain compositions)
2. Arrangement/transcription copyright — the specific MIDI transcription may be someone's creative work
A MIDI transcription of a public domain piece is generally safe, but if someone made creative arrangement choices (added harmonies, changed structure), that arrangement may be copyrighted.
| Category | Copyright Risk | Action Required | ||
| **Self-composed** | None (we own it) | Log with "ORIGINAL" tag | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Self-transcribed from public domain score** | None | Log with score source | ||
| **Downloaded — faithful transcription** | Low | Log source URL + verify PD composition | ||
| **Downloaded — creative arrangement** | Medium | Verify arranger's rights or avoid | ||
| **Unknown origin** | High | Do not use |
| # | Filename | Composition | Composer | PD Status | MIDI Source | Category | Added | |||||||
| 1 | swan_lake_original.mid | Swan Lake | Tchaikovsky (d.1893) | PD (133yr) | Unknown | Downloaded — faithful transcription | 2026-02-23 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | pavane-op50-faure.mid | Pavane Op.50 | Gabriel Fauré (d.1924) | PD (102yr) | Mutopia | Downloaded — faithful transcription | 2026-05-12 |
1. Before rendering: Every MIDI file must have an entry here.
2. Unknown origin MIDI: Do not render. Find the source or recreate.
3. Arrangements: If the MIDI adds harmonies/counter-melodies not in the original, the arranger may hold copyright. Verify or avoid.
4. IMSLP scores: Mark the IMSLP URL as source. IMSLP verifies public domain status.
5. AI-generated MIDI: Log the tool used. Current consensus: AI-generated MIDI has no copyright holder, but document the generation process.
Built between shifts.