Is the Sample Music in the Public Domain?

Question

I was using the Windows Movie Maker program and I wanted to put music into my video. I saw that there was some nice music in the Sample Music folder. I liked  Beethoven's Symphony No. 3. I assumed that it was in the public domain but then I heard from somewhere that the artist (apparently Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia) may have a copyright on it. What I am asking is if the Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in the Sample Music folder is in the Public Domain.

Answer 1

Hi Kchoffat,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

Sample Music is in the public folder by default. The Public folder is a convenient way to share files that are stored on your computer. You can share files in this folder with other people using the same computer and with people using other computers on the same network. Any file or folder you put in the Public folder is automatically shared with the people who have access to your Public folder. There is only one Public folder in Windows. Every person with a user account on the computer shares this folder.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 does not have copyright protection and you will be able to use it with Windows Movie maker. It is located in the public music folder by default.

Also refer to the link “Sharing files with the Public folder” http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sharing-files-with-the-Public-folder

More information check the link “Getting started with Windows Movie maker” http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Getting-started-with-Windows-Movie-Maker

Diana

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 2

Can we use the music in the Public Folder, Sample Music, for commercial projects?

Thanks

Gerardo

Answer 3

Hi Kchoffat,

You are welcome. Thank you for the feedback.

Diana

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 4

Thank you. This really hepled.