Can we take action against Bard Macro Player yet?

[Feron]

The real argument against players using third-party bots to play MIDI files isn't that it's ultra-lame (although, real talk: it is. Please stop with the rationalizations, the current state of things is not much different than somehow streaming an 80s Pop Hits channel from Pandora into Gridania.)

The real argument is that MIDIs of copywritten songs are derivative works and it's likely infringement for SE to allow these bot-players to so easily perform (or, you know, at all). At least when you had to actually play something yourself, it reduced the number of hacks by like 99%, which the OP kind of obtusely alluded to.

Metallica and their lawyers will probably hear Enter Sandman playing in Limsa from all the way in Colorado, and the more popular this feature becomes, the more likely it is that it's going to somehow get ruined for everybody.

All that said, I don't expect SE to do anything until they're literally forced to.

[Larirawiel]

The real argument is that MIDIs of copywritten songs are derivative works and it's likely infringement for SE to allow these bot-players to so easily perform (or, you know, at all). At least when you had to actually play something yourself, it reduced the number of hacks by like 99%, which the OP kind of obtusely alluded to.

I don't think that it is a real problem. The bard is not a MP3 player and the sound differs vastly from an original song.



I have a problem with such kind of tools because they are bots, plain and simple. And no, i don't think that bots should be allowed when they serve "for a good purpose".



Cheers

[Vidu]

The real argument against players using third-party bots to play MIDI files isn't that it's ultra-lame (although, real talk: it is. Please stop with the rationalizations, the current state of things is not much different than somehow streaming an 80s Pop Hits channel from Pandora into Gridania.)

The real argument is that MIDIs of copywritten songs are derivative works and it's likely infringement for SE to allow these bot-players to so easily perform (or, you know, at all). At least when you had to actually play something yourself, it reduced the number of hacks by like 99%, which the OP kind of obtusely alluded to.

Metallica and their lawyers will probably hear Enter Sandman playing in Limsa from all the way in Colorado, and the more popular this feature becomes, the more likely it is that it's going to somehow get ruined for everybody.

All that said, I don't expect SE to do anything until they're literally forced to.

Copyrighted songs are copyrighted. Period.

What I mean by that: You're not allowed to perform them. At all. Doesnt matter wether you play them yourself or by using any third party tool. (Something you agreed to when unlocking the performance feature - you're not allowed to play copyrighted works at all. Which is, of course, very much SEs strategy to cover their butts if you do play such songs - because in that case Metallicas lawyers will come after you, not SE.)

[Trixxy]

Nooooooooo you can't just use the performance boterinoooooooooooooooooooo

[LianaThorne]

Copyrighted songs are copyrighted. Period.

What I mean by that: You're not allowed to perform them. At all. Doesnt matter wether you play them yourself or by using any third party tool. (Something you agreed to when unlocking the performance feature - you're not allowed to play copyrighted works at all. Which is, of course, very much SEs strategy to cover their butts if you do play such songs - because in that case Metallicas lawyers will come after you, not SE.)

While you are correct, the only way it really gets exposed is by having it uploaded to the internet and having it go massively viral to the point SE notices/gets hit with legal from the copyright owner. Otherwise, the odds of facing consequences are pretty much non-existant.

[Snorky]

While you are correct, the only way it really gets exposed is by having it uploaded to the internet and having it go massively viral to the point SE notices/gets hit with legal from the copyright owner. Otherwise, the odds of facing consequences are pretty much non-existant.

Really the only way they would care is if you are making money off of them. Otherwise they don't care. Third party programs are against TOS but they are not scanning your computer to find them.

[Breakbeat]

Metallica

Can we just delete these guys already? To me, they've always had the air of like, poser-heavy-metal, considering most of their songs were light enough for FM pop radio and qualified as nothing more than "rock," not "thrash metal". Maybe they kept the thrash metal consigned to B-sides and albums besides "...And Justice for All". Dunno. However, subjective is subjective and more power to anyone that loves them. The preceding is only my opinion.

Now on to non-musical points. Metallica are almost as well-known for kicking up a major, huge fuss about sampling or copyright or doing the "is it possible I could sue you?" thing, as they are for their actual music productions. Yes, they were the very first band to sue promoters over appearances cancelled due to coronavirus, when everyone else seemed to just be getting along with it.

Well, now, you can see their tirade against Napster did a whole hell of a lot. Considering every album in existence can be torrented, and despite that, the music industry (yes, all three companies) seems to be getting along just fine. Were you able to afford dinner last night, James? Good, I feel better. Poor guy. Starving and on his last dollar.

So, yeah, Metallica's gonna come sue everyone, which is nothing new. The rest of everyone else won't care at all. It's a MIDI. Played at nothing more than an "acceptable" skill level. Even when folks are using 3rd party software to play the tunes, it sounds not much better than a teenager learning to play the keyboard while having "Guitar III" selected as the tone. Yeah, only Metallica could sue over that, indeed.

I say we all chip in five bucks (I'm down, for sure), then when Lars comes a-knocking, we just give him his payout and show him the door. I'd certainly pay $5 to have those millionaires (all of 'em) shut up about money. Y'all made it. Y'all are rockin' Ferraris. Enough already.

[Sotaris]

am I only one who don't care if someone use a third party app to play some bard tunes?

[Vahlnir]

am I only one who don't care if someone use a third party app to play some bard tunes?

I don't, but it is ultimately someone else's choice to use these. They just shouldn't be surprised if it comes back to haunt them later with it being against the ToS and all.

[Sotaris]

Yeah what I mean, it don't hurt anyone or the game. It's not like it's a bot or anything? I'm pretty green when it comes to this cause the feature never appealed to me. I guess it's a RP thing and I stay away from RP stuff.