Christopher_Jion wrote:

I've been listening to some obscure stuff lately that I think would make an amazing mix-CD.

and of course IF i ever got off my ass and actually did the mix and wanted to release it I'd ask the artists permission, etc... but let's say I just cant get in touch with them. No contact info or whatever....

....IF i went ahead and had the CD made, BUT DIDN'T SELL IT and just used it as a free promo giveaway. Is that OK? Or could I still get shit for that??
is that super-frowned upon?

I mean, I'd rather not do a crappy little home-made cassette or CDR.
but ya know, a nice real CD. (I hate half-assing anything even if it IS just a promo.)

.exe. wrote:

I don't know, when other people is involved is better to ask, usually people must be ok with this, but you never know...

Barry_Crumbcheeks wrote:

if it's a MIXTAPE i'd say you don't necesarily. i mean it would be polite to if you felt like it, but a mixtape is different from a compilation, and if it was a mixtape just on a CDr format i think it's generally fine. (viz. boomkat selected mixtapes, for one thing).

moshka-medicine wrote:

if you make money off it. ASK
if you are afraid of law suits. ASK
if you press to cdr and give it away as promo. dont bother. (think dj mix tapes)
if you press professionally. best to ASK

im thinking you can track these people down if you have the patience. if the cd or lp is completely unlabeled, http://www.discogs.com/group/9

i tracked this guy down Sean Washburn and he is REALLY obscure. IMO

remember. record companies have been making examples of people at 10000usd per song or some bullshit like that for downloads. but of course the music is obscure.. and they are promo.. shouldnt be a problem. make sure you add on the discogs entry and on the disc (not for sale) and it should skip a lot of hassle.

O.S.Dvil wrote:

Put Out That Mixtape!

But also listen to these guys here. Your not giving away their song in its entirety and that's just enough under-the-radar where we don't cross the very, very fine line of legality... in some cases.

^^ I'm just some shmuck but you already know what I've got to say about it .