IMSLP.org Closed

Universal Edition of Austria has struck a terrible blow to music by effectively forcing the closure of IMSLP.org, what was once perhaps the most wonderful resource for classical musicians and enthusiasts on the internet. IMSLP hosted out of copyright editions of music - that is, music in the public domain which should always be free to be distributed in my opinion - and was a website that was officially recommended by MIT and was also used as a valuable resource by Oberlin, Manhattan School of Music, Stanford, Brown and others.

Over the past year or two it has been a valuable resource for me as a student, due to its vast resources. It was nearing completion of the complete Bach-Ausgrabe.

I read the cease and desist letter from Universal Edition and it makes some ridiculous claims that IMSLP and its users were plotting to commit copyright infringement against them. Only public domain works were to be allowed on IMSLP and that is all I ever saw there. I will never order music from Universal Edition ever again - if I need Ligeti or something I'll just get it through interlibrary loan or by some other means... but I will not be giving them a cent ever again.

WHAT THE gently caress??!?!?!?!?!????

how can universal editions shut something down when it's copyright free?

BASTARDS!

BASTARDS!

If there is an issue of money, I'm sure that I (we) could arrange some donations, etc and find some money or something...

That's VERY low of them - I am not impressed at all by UE - especially since IMSLP would have been happy to remove any of the offending scores habitually.

this is bullshit...imslp gave me the needed boost of inspiration to take my music and composition studies to the next level, with those thousands of scores I felt I finally had something to learn from

and shouldn't this be moved to the composers headquarters in the imslp thread? that way people will actually notice this thread

WTF?? I'm sorry, but this is just outrageous. I really don't have anything else to say; I might just pound something into smithereens before I even start...

Not only have I used IMSLP for studying scores, I've used it for practicing orchestration; I'd take a score and arrange it for a different ensemble. I've even found an audition piece on there. This makes me utterly mad. I hope they fight it however they can, they never did anything wrong. From what I understand, UE is jumping to conclusions.

EDIT: I've just seen the new message, they've just received a second cease and desist. It's a shame they can't do anything about it. I do hope the idea is continued by someone... if I could do anything to help I would, but I couldn't. And hell, for some it's a most valuable asset.

Yeah, I'm really angry right now. This is just one more thing that makes life in music that little bit harder. IMSLP was a great resource, why'd freakin' UE have to whine and complain over nothing? Because people would use public domain scores instead of paying for recent editions? If people want recent editions, they get recent additions. For the rest of us, which is a lot, we're happy with public domain.

I think you guys involved in the admin side of IMSLP should seek some legal advice. Somone versed in copyright and entertainment law ...There should be some way to resolve this...peacefully.

[edit]

However, after lengthy discussions with very knowledgeable lawyers and supporters, I became painfully aware of the fact that I, a normal college student, has neither the energy nor the money necessary to deal with this issue in any other way than to agree with the cease and desist

oops. :( That sucks guys.

That's very bad news...

I second the boycotting...

Well that's ironic... My theory teacher just suggested we go to this website (I've never been before) and download some selections, and I was on my way over there, then I stumbled across this thread. So I guess I'm not going there after all, huh?

Well that doesn't sound right at all. I'm sure something will be worked out. I'm sure too many people thought it useful enough, I'm sure the two companies can come to an agreement?

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!

This site was too great to be real.

If there's any cent they can make, they'll do all they can to get it. I think Bach ans his friends would be furious about that, UEA don't serve the composer finances, nor the familiy's...they're after their own stupid money.

I hate how this world works.

Long life to music as a free pleasure!

The world is clearly run by morons.

WHAT THE gently caress??!?!?!?!?!????

how can universal editions shut something down when it's copyright free?

BASTARDS!

BASTARDS!

Took the words out of my mouth.:angry:

Jeeze... this is like when you fall in love with a band only to find out they've been broken up for a decade or two.

What was IMSLP.org? A score depository I presume?

Yes, it is a place where people upload and contribute public domain (out of copyright, FREE) scores in the interest of providing a valuable resource for everyone to use and enjoy. Obviously it is nonprofit, thus the reason it is so hard for the owner to combat the claims made my UEA, there is a lack of the funding necessary to put up a good fight.

I originally conceived of this project after visiting a certain country a few years ago. In what is one of the largest bookstores there, I discovered less than ten orchestral scores. As a musician and music lover, I find unacceptable the fact that such a wonderful thing as music can be so inaccessible in certain regions of the world. I believe that access to our culture and the Arts is a fundamental right of every human being, and not simply a privilege[/b']. Therefore, I had created IMSLP with the intention that music, which is in the public domain, should be freely accessible to every single person.

I'm joining the UE boycott... spread the word.

I miss all the good stuff....

Why doesn't somebody start a new one?

I heard of this.......I went on it....that sucks....but I got a clarinet sonata before it was closed down so that is good!

Didn't someone have the cheek to say 'I cannot apologize enough' or something like that?

I'm sorry, but I just find that really irritating.

I just heard and came over to post this... oh well, you already noticed. This is absolutely outrageous - I'll see what I can do to support them, they have some suggestions on their site.

SUCCESS>. or atleast.. it seems IMSLP has a chance of surviving

Most recent post from IMSLP

I have decided that in order to not kill myself (figuratively) from overload, I will not be taking major actions with regards to IMSLP until the end of this semester (in less than 2 months), unless circumstance dictate otherwise. However, I will continue accepting offers to own or host IMSLP, very preferably by Canadian organizations; please do contact imslp@imslp.org . I will also be responding to e-mails and discussion on the forums, and very possibly prepare and release the IMSLP Mediawiki database within this time. I'm already in the middle of preparations for the continuation of IMSLP. No, IMSLP is not dead :)

And since this has appeared on Slashdot, let me respond here: I greatly thank Gutenberg Founder Michael Hart for his continued support and help offer in this matter. However, I have my reservations about being hosted in the United States, not the least of which being the fact that the US actually has a *much* rarier copyright term than Canada (in fact, US' copyright term is unique). But again, I greatly thank Michael for the offer; I believe that PG and IMSLP share many common goals. Incidentally, I have contacted Project Gutenberg Canada, and am currently awaiting a response.

Yeah i just saw that myself! YAY!

Long Live IMSLP!!!!!!

EDIT: What if we all signed a petition of support?