Simply put, and I'm also not a lawyer, chords and rhythms cannot be copyrighted. Lyrics and melodies can. This applies to made-from-scratch songs. So in that regard, you'd be fine. But if you're using actual recordings (i.e. samples) of songs, much like hip hop does - then you would be in trouble if you didn't get a license to do so.

Referencing your example from the Amored Core 2 OST - the two songs sound VERY similar, especially at the start. Down to the type of samples being used in some of the parts. What I'd recommend is to mimick songs you enjoy and apsire to create while honing and learning your craft. Then once you're wanting to release tracks publicly, take the things you learned and make more original tracks.

On a second thought. Is it safe to say that as long as I don't sell my game, I can use a remix of another song in my game and not worry about people trying to sue me? Assuming the game happens to become famous-

Any time you use something that you don't have a license to use (or don't own) you run the risk of legal action. How much risk? Well, that differs from IP to IP and company to company. Some companies are really strict while others are more lenient. Even if your game was completely free, simply distributing it is still a violation of copyright. The game doesn't even have to be "famous" to have companies send you a cease and desist letter.

I think you're looking at this at the wrong angle. This is a great way to learn composition and remixing and all of that stuff -- but you're sort of looking at it from a 'what do I need to change' angle, as opposed to, how can I take what I've learnt here and write a new peice inspired by these ideas? I think you should start getting into that habbit - of doing these things as excersises, then completely going off and writing your own piece in the style of, or inspired by that music, but not thinking about taking the progressions and everything with you. Copyright technicalities aside, it will just leave you frustrated and in a bit of trouble IMO.

You said Rythms and chords cannot be copyrighted right? Well the only part that sounds similar is the beginning, which is essentially just a rhythm.

That's a very general/blanket way to look at it. By themselves, sure, you can't copyright a chord or a rhythm but it's more about the context they're used in than the individual subjects.

Sure, many pop songs share our good old friend the I IV VI V progression or something similar, but the treatment and context is often pretty different, and even when it's not, that's a pretty understood, generic progression these days that usually is surrounded by enough difference to be seperate things. Like a standard 4/4 rock beat. It's a device, that obviously can't be copyrighted - but it's used within a different context.

In your case you've got a lot further than just 'using the same rhythms', the first track sounds dangerously similar to the example you posted -- you'd surely have to call that a remix and give credit...I don't consider yours to be a completely different track at all. You have to be careful saying 'it's just a rhythm', when it's a distinctive one that uses the exact same sort of synth sound then you're running into trouble, especially when using a lot of the same harmonic material. You're not just copying the rhythm in this peice.

Just one other point to make - even remixes require licensing if you're going to sell them. Heck, even if you're just distributing them can get you in trouble. Again, it's not a sure fire thing but some artists are fiercely protective while others are more easy going. A good buddy of mine runs RightsFlow which specializes in this very thing: http://rightsflow.com/

In the end, the absolutely BEST way to get legal advice on copyright and such is to talk with a lawyer. Forums, while great, don't really stand up in court and cannot protect you! :P

Glad you found the thread useful!

Nate