At UMW Recordings Inc., we are committed to safe, legal, and copyright-respecting distribution. Therefore, any sample used in a release must be properly authorized or free of restrictions.
🧾 What is considered a sample?
A sample is any reused fragment of an existing recording. This includes:
Riffs, beats, vocals, effects or melodies taken from another song
Environmental recordings with rights
Sounds from non-royalty-free commercial libraries
⚠️ Even if the sample is short or modified, it may require a license if it is recognizable or derived from a protected recording.
🔐 Rules for using samples in UMW
✅ Allowed:
Sample Type | Mandatory Requirements |
Authorized sample | Explicit license of use from the master owner and/or composer |
Commercial bookstores | You must have proof of purchase and terms of use without editorial restrictions |
Royalty-free bookstores | Permitted only if they do not require attribution and authorize their use in published works |
Public domain content | Legally verified; must belong to works prior to 1924 (or depending on the country) |
❌ Not allowed:
Use | Reason for rejection |
Samples taken from famous songs without permission | Direct copyright infringement (even if distorted or modified) |
Samples taken from movies, series or video games | Usually protected by multiple layers of rights |
Content from YouTube or other platforms | Not authorized for public reuse |