View source for International Music Score Library Project

{{Short description|Library of public-domain music scores}}
{{Infobox website
| name                 = IMSLP<br />Petrucci Music Library
| logo                 = IMSLP logo (2016).svg
| screenshot           = IMSLP December 2019 screenshot.png
| collapsible          = yes
| caption              = IMSLP [[homepage|main page]] in 2019
| url                  = {{ubl|{{URL|imslp.org}}|{{URL|petruccilibrary.org}}}}
| commercial           = Yes (subscription)
| type                 = [[Online library]] of [[sheet music]]
| registration         = Optional (required for contributing and unconstrained access)
| language             = {{flatlist|
* [[Arabic language|Arabic]]
* [[Catalan language|Catalan]]
* [[Chinese language|Chinese]]
* [[Croatian language|Croatian]]
* [[Czech language|Czech]]
* [[Danish language|Danish]]
* [[Dutch language|Dutch]]
* [[English language|English]]
* [[Finnish language|Finnish]]
* [[French language|French]]
* [[Galician language|Galician]]
* [[German language|German]]
* [[Greek language|Greek]]
* [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]
* [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]
* [[Italian language|Italian]]
* [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
* [[Korean language|Korean]]
* [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]]
* [[Polish language|Polish]]
* [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
* [[Russian language|Russian]]
* [[Serbian language|Serbian]]
* [[Slovenian language|Slovenian]]
* [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
* [[Swedish language|Swedish]]
* [[Thai language|Thai]]
* [[Turkish language|Turkish]]
}}
| num_users            =
| programming language =
| owner                = Project Petrucci LLC (private company)
| author               = Edward W. Guo (Feldmahler)<ref>{{cite news
 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/arts/music/22music-imslp.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]
 |date=February 22, 2011
 |title=Free Trove of Music Scores on Web Hits Sensitive Copyright Note
 |first=Daniel J.
 |last=Wakin
 |access-date=February 24, 2017
 |archive-date=March 29, 2018
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329060142/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/arts/music/22music-imslp.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>
| launch_date          = {{start date and age|2006|02|16}} ([[website]])<br />{{start date and age|2018|07|10}}<ref name="IMSLP on the App Store">{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/app/imslp/id1373671782|title=IMSLP on the App Store|website=apps.apple.com|access-date=2020-01-16|archive-date=2020-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115170711/https://apps.apple.com/app/imslp/id1373671782|url-status=live}}</ref> ([[App Store (Apple)|iOS]])<br />{{start date and age|2019|03|28}}<ref name="play.google.com">{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imslp.app|title=IMSLP Browser – Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|access-date=2020-01-16|archive-date=2022-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114063906/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imslp.app|url-status=live}}</ref> ([[Android (operating system)#Applications|Android]])
| current_status       = Active
| content_licence      = [[Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International]]
| country              = [[Canada]]
}}

The '''International Music Score Library Project''' ('''IMSLP'''), also known as the '''Petrucci Music Library''' after publisher [[Ottaviano Petrucci]], is a subscription-based digital library of [[public domain|public-domain]] [[sheet music|music scores]]. The project uses [[MediaWiki]] software, and {{As of|2023|November|24|lc=y|url=https://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:News}} has uploaded more than 736,000 scores and 80,700 recordings by 1,900 performers of more than 226,000 works by 27,400 composers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IMSLP:News - IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download |url=https://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:News |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=imslp.org |archive-date=2021-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812020038/https://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:News |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="imslp.org" /> IMSLP has both an [[App Store (Apple)|iOS app]]<ref name="IMSLP on the App Store"/> and an [[Android (operating system)#Applications|Android app]].<ref name="play.google.com"/>

==History==

===Overview===
The site was launched on February 16, 2006. The library consists mainly of [[image scanner|scans]] of old musical editions out of [[copyright]]. In addition, it admits scores by contemporary composers who wish to share their music with the world by releasing it under a [[Creative Commons]] license. One of the main projects of the IMSLP was the sorting and uploading of the complete works of [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] in the [[Bach Gesellschaft|Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe]] (1851–99), a task that was completed on November 3, 2008. Besides J.S. Bach's complete public domain works, many or all available public domain works of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], [[Johannes Brahms]], [[Joseph Canteloube]], [[Emmanuel Chabrier]], [[Ernest Chausson]], [[Frédéric Chopin]], [[Joseph Haydn]], [[Arcangelo Corelli]], [[Claude Debussy]], [[Vincent d'Indy]], [[Paul Dukas]], [[Gabriel Fauré]], [[Pierre-Octave Ferroud]], [[George Frideric Handel]], [[Jean Huré]], [[Albéric Magnard]], [[Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina]], [[Maurice Ravel]], [[Albert Roussel]], [[Erik Satie]], [[Florent Schmitt]], [[Franz Schubert]], [[Robert Schumann]], [[Alexander Scriabin]] and [[Jean Sibelius]] are available, as well as a large percentage of [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] and [[Franz Liszt]]'s works.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Some less-played scores of these composers remain unavailable, as well as many scores being available only as the composer's original manuscript.

Besides providing a digital repository, the IMSLP offers possibilities as a [[musicology|musicological]] encyclopaedia, since multiple and historical editions of a single composition can be uploaded. Also, pages on publishers provide valuable information, and the work pages themselves often contain a large quantity of information, e.g. roles in an opera.

IMSLP is recommended as a research tool by [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news-libraries.mit.edu/blog/archives/354 |title=Wiki of public domain classical scores |access-date=2007-11-06 |author=Moore, Christie |date=2007-01-05 |work=MIT Library News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111193507/http://news-libraries.mit.edu/blog/archives/354 |archive-date=2007-11-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://libguides.mit.edu/content.php?pid=12401&sid=104163 |title=Research Guides: Music |access-date=2008-09-04 |year=2008 |work=MIT Libraries |archive-date=2008-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222045030/http://libguides.mit.edu/content.php?pid=12401&sid=104163 |url-status=live }}</ref> which also uses it extensively for providing scores for its [[MIT OpenCourseWare|OpenCourseWare]] courses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Music-and-Theater-Arts/21M-250Fall-2006/Listening/index.htm |title=21M.250 Schubert to Debussy, Fall 2006 |access-date=2007-11-06 |author=MIT |year=2007 |work=MIT OpenCourseWare |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013150248/http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Music-and-Theater-Arts/21M-250Fall-2006/Listening/index.htm  |archive-date = 2007-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Music-and-Theater-Arts/21M-262Fall-2006/Listening/index.htm |title=21M.262 Modern Music:1900–1960, Fall 2006 |access-date=2007-11-06 |author=MIT |year=2007 |work=MIT OpenCourseWare |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013150253/http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Music-and-Theater-Arts/21M-262Fall-2006/Listening/index.htm  |archive-date = 2007-10-13}}</ref> It is suggested as a resource by the [[Sibley Music Library]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esm.rochester.edu/sibley/?page=request|title=Request Public Domain Scores|access-date=2009-02-01|year=2008|work=Sibley Music Library|archive-date=2020-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703075214/https://www.esm.rochester.edu/sibley/?page=request|url-status=dead}}</ref> and by libraries at other universities such as [[Stanford University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/music/research_help/outsidelinks.html#sheet |title=Outside links of interest |access-date=2008-09-04 |year=2007 |work=Stanford University, Libraries and Academic Information Resources |archive-date=2008-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011202000/http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/music/research_help/outsidelinks.html#sheet |url-status=live }}</ref> [[University of California, Los Angeles]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/music/12291.cfm|title=UCLA Library / Music Library / Music Scores and Sheet Music Online|access-date=2009-01-28|year=2009|work=University of California Music Library|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725051517/http://www2.library.ucla.edu/libraries/Music/12291.cfm|archive-date=2008-07-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Brown University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dl.lib.brown.edu/gateway/program.php?programid=45&task=internet#32 |title=Selected internet resources for music |access-date=2008-09-04 |author=Quist, Ned |year=2007 |work=Brown University Library |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026103105/http://dl.lib.brown.edu/gateway/program.php?programid=45&task=internet#32 |archive-date=2008-10-26 }}</ref> [[University of Pennsylvania]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/archives.html#music|title=The Online Books Page: Archives and Indexes|access-date=2009-01-28|year=2009|work=Penn Libraries|archive-date=2009-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202202039/http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/archives.html#music|url-status=live}}</ref> [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.library.wisc.edu/resources/scores.html#online-scores |title=Resources: Scores (Printed Music) – Mills Music Library, UW–Madison |access-date=2008-09-04 |year=2007 |work=University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930170524/http://music.library.wisc.edu/resources/scores.html#online-scores |archive-date=2008-09-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Oberlin Conservatory of Music]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oberlinconservatorylibrary.blogspot.com/2007/04/classical-music-in-public-domain.html |title=Classical Music in the Public Domain |access-date=2008-09-04 |author=Conlib |date=2007-04-26 |work=News from the Oberlin Conservatory Library |archive-date=2009-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527080524/http://oberlinconservatorylibrary.blogspot.com/2007/04/classical-music-in-public-domain.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Manhattan School of Music]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.msmnyc.edu/screens/freestuff.html |title=Free stuff on the web |access-date=2008-09-04 |author=Sharp, Peter Jay |year=2007 |work=The Peter Jay Sharp Library, Manhattan School of Music |archive-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120044259/http://library.msmnyc.edu/screens/freestuff.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lib.guides.umd.edu/findingscores |title=Finding Music Scores |access-date=2013-07-10 |year=2012 |work=University of Maryland Libraries |archive-date=2013-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221064815/http://lib.guides.umd.edu/findingscores |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[University of Washington]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/Music/dr/elsco.html |title=Musical Scores |access-date=2008-09-04 |year=2007 |work=University of Washington Libraries |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920005522/http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/Music/dr/elsco.html |archive-date=2008-09-20 }}</ref> [[University of Cincinnati]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libraries.uc.edu/libraries/ccm/research/OnlineMusic.html|title=OnlineMusic|access-date=2009-01-28|year=2009|work=University of Cincinnati Albino Gorno Memorial Music Library|archive-date=2012-07-11|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711085322/http://libraries.uc.edu/libraries/ccm/research/OnlineMusic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/Music/online_scores.html|title=Finding Online Scores|access-date=2009-01-28|year=2009|work=UWM Music Library|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415092941/http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/Music/online_scores.html|archive-date=2009-04-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Appalachian State University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.library.appstate.edu/music/emusic.html|title=Electronic Scores|access-date=2009-01-28|year=2009|work=Appalachian State University Library|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120213190655/http://www.library.appstate.edu/music/emusic.html|archive-date=2012-02-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the US, [[McGill University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcgill.ca/music-library/collections/links/onlinescores/ |title=Scores (online databases and indexes) |access-date=2008-09-04 |year=2007 |work=Marvin Duchow Music Library, McGill |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222064031/http://www.mcgill.ca/music-library/collections/links/onlinescores/ |archive-date=December 22, 2008 }}</ref> in Canada, [[University of Oxford]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/music/eresources/links|title=Useful Links – Music Faculty Library|access-date=2009-02-12|year=2008|work=Music Faculty Library|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223024120/http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/music/eresources/links|archive-date=2012-12-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[University of Cambridge]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mus.cam.ac.uk/external/pendlebury/wwwresources.html|title=Faculty of Music: Pendlebury Library – Online Resources|access-date=2009-02-12|year=2007|work=Pendlebury Library of Music|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303190956/http://www.mus.cam.ac.uk/external/pendlebury/wwwresources.html|archive-date=2001-03-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[University of Edinburgh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/resbysub/music_dbs.shtml|title=Edinburgh University Library: Resources By Subject: Music Databases, E-Journals, Search Tools & Websites|access-date=2009-02-12|year=2008|work=Edinburgh University Library|archive-date=2010-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315003147/http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/resbysub/music_dbs.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> [[University of Bristol]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bris.ac.uk/is/library/subjects/music/internetlinks/|title=Bristol University / Information Services / Internet links|access-date=2009-02-12|year=2009|work=Bristol University Library|archive-date=2011-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607210141/http://www.bris.ac.uk/is/library/subjects/music/internetlinks/|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the UK, [[University of Melbourne]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/Content.aspx?topicID=581|title=VCA / LENTON PARR LIBRARY / Music / Websites|access-date=2009-02-12|year=2009|work=Lenton Parr Library|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100510194522/http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/Content.aspx?topicID=581|archive-date=May 10, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> in Australia, and others. In 2019, IMSLP and [[TwoSetViolin]] collaborated to make a TwoSetViolin x IMSLP merchandise lineup.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2019 |title=First Official Collaboration. @twosetapparel x IMSLP. Pre-Orders available now at www.twosetapparel.com #twosetviolin #twosetapparel |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Z6X-KAJMj/ |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=[[Instagram]] |archive-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124202853/https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Z6X-KAJMj/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Logo ===
[[File:IMSLP logo (2007-2015).png|thumb|IMSLP logo (2007–2015)]]
[[File:IMSLP main page 2016.png|thumb|The blue letter featured in Petrucci Music Library logo, used in 2007–2015, was based on the first printed book of music, the [[Harmonice Musices Odhecaton]], published by [[Ottaviano Petrucci]] in 1501.<ref name="imslp.org">{{cite web|title = IMSLP:About – IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music|url = http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:About|website = Imslp.org|access-date = 2016-01-25|archive-date = 2016-01-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160124052845/http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:About|url-status = live}}</ref>]]

From 2007 to 2015, the IMSLP / Petrucci Music Library used a logo based on a score. The score image in the background was taken from the beginning of the first printed book of music, the [[Harmonice Musices Odhecaton]]. It was published in [[Venice]], Italy in 1501 by [[Ottaviano Petrucci]], the library's namesake.<ref name="imslp.org"/>{{primary inline|date=August 2016}}

In 2016, the IMSLP changed its logo to a clean [[wordmark]], featuring its two project names&mdash;''IMSLP'' and ''Petrucci Music Library''.

===Awards===
In 2009, the IMSLP won the [[MERLOT]] Classics award for Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://taste.merlot.org/MERLOTAwards/2009awards.html|title=MERLOT Awards: Exemplary Learning Materials|access-date=2009-08-25|year=2009|work=MERLOT|archive-date=2010-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715192012/http://taste.merlot.org/MERLOTAwards/2009awards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was named one of the Top 100 Web Sites of 2009 (in the "Undiscovered" subsection) by [[PC Magazine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2350565,00.asp|title=The Top 100 Web Sites of 2009 – Undiscovered: Info – Reviews by PC Magazine|access-date=2009-08-25|date=2009-07-27|work=PC Magazine|archive-date=2018-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213447/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2350565,00.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2018, Edward Guo was honored with The Helen Rice Award by the [[Associated Chamber Music Players]] (ACMP) Foundation in recognition of those who have moved the chamber music world in a new directions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Associated Chamber Music Players (ACMP) Honored Edward Guo, Founder of the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) |url=http://aaartsalliance.org/events/associated-chamber-music-players-acmp-honored-edward-guo-founder |publisher=Asian American Arts Alliance |access-date=28 May 2019 |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528043539/http://aaartsalliance.org/events/associated-chamber-music-players-acmp-honored-edward-guo-founder |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Closure and reopening===
On October 19, 2007, the IMSLP closed following legal demands from [[Universal Edition]] of Vienna, Austria.<ref name=cd>{{cite web |url = http://imslpforums.org/Second%20U-E%20Cease%20and%20Desist%20Letter.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071023090807/http://imslpforums.org/Second%20U-E%20Cease%20and%20Desist%20Letter.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2007-10-23 |title = Cease and Desist Letter from Universal Edition AG |access-date = 2007-10-20 |last = Clark |first = Ken |date =2007-10-05 |publisher = Aird & Berlis LLP }}</ref> The [[cease and desist]] letter expressed concern that some works that are in public domain in the server's location in Canada with [[copyright]] protection of 50 years following death, but are protected by a term of 70 years following death in some other countries, were available in those countries. The administrator of the website, Edward W. Guo, also known under the nickname Feldmahler, decided to close down the repository, but left the forums online so that discussions into the best way to proceed could be made:<ref name="multiple"/>
{{blockquote|text=On Saturday October 13, 2007, I received a second Cease and Desist letter from Universal Edition. At first I thought this letter would be similar in content to the first Cease and Desist letter I received in August. 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, and take down the entire site. I cannot apologize enough to all IMSLP contributors, who have done so much for IMSLP in the last two years.|sign=Feldmahler (project leader)}}
In response, director [[Michael S. Hart]] of [[Project Gutenberg]] offered support to keep the project online.<ref>{{cite mailing list|last=Hart|first=Michael|title=Re: Three quick links on digitizations and their constraints|mailing-list=Book People|author-link=Michael S. Hart|date=2007-10-23|url=http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/bparchive?year=2007&post=2007-10-23,2|access-date=2007-12-29|archive-date=2007-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026080641/http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/bparchive?year=2007&post=2007-10-23,2|url-status=live}}</ref> This offer was declined by Guo, who voiced concern about having the project hosted in the United States, and consulted the Canadian wing of Project Gutenberg.<ref name="multiple">{{cite web|url=http://imslp.on-wiki.net/Open_letter|title=Open letter|access-date=2008-02-02|last=Feldmahler |date = 2007-10-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071210084314/http://imslp.on-wiki.net/Open_letter |archive-date = December 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 2, 2007, [[Michael Geist]], a prominent Canadian copyright academic, wrote an article for the [[BBC]] discussing the specifics and the wider implications of this case.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7074786.stm |title = The day the music died |access-date = 2007-11-03 |last = Geist |first = Michael |author-link = Michael Geist |date = 2007-11-02 |publisher = BBC News |archive-date = 2016-01-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160120044259/http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7074786.stm |url-status = dead }}</ref>

IMSLP went back online on June 30, 2008. Since its reopening, the site has been using a strict copyright policy wherein uploaded files are made accessible for download only after the copyright status for three most frequent copyright regimes has been reviewed by staff members. Although the server is located in Canada, files that are not public domain in the US were until July 2010 flagged [TB], for 'Technical Block' or 'Temporary Block', and could not be viewed. The FAQ posted in their forum stated, "Unfortunately, these 'temporary' blocks will be until further notice – possibly all the way until the expiration of term in the USA."<ref>{{cite web|url = http://198.137.202.16/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3319|title = FAQ Works in TB Status|access-date = 2010-05-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120331064636/http://198.137.202.16/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3319|archive-date = 2012-03-31|url-status = dead}}</ref> After an initial phase, [TB] flagged items have essentially disappeared thanks to the introduction of regional servers operated by unaffiliated organizations.

On 21 April 2011, the [[Music Publishers Association (UK)]] issued a [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act#Abuse of takedown notice|takedown notice]] against the IMSLP. [[GoDaddy]], the [[domain name registrar]] for the IMSLP, removed the [[domain name]] "imslp.org", leaving it inaccessible.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Doctorow|first=Cory|date=2011-04-21|title=UK Music Publishers file copyright complaint over public domain sheet music, GoDaddy nukes major music site|url=https://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/uk-music-publishers.html|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Boing Boing|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124163411/https://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/uk-music-publishers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The MPA's argument was similar to that made in 2007 by Universal Edition. In particular, the MPA claimed that Rachmaninoff's 1913 choral symphony ''[[The Bells (symphony)|The Bells]]'' violated US and EU copyright.<ref>[http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4775 Text] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428190019/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4775 |date=2011-04-28 }} of the MPA's letter to [[Go Daddy]]</ref> According to the IMSLP, the action is without any merit.<ref>[http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4774 "IMSLP Under Attack"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426041238/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4774 |date=2011-04-26 }} by Carolus, IMSLP Forum (21 April 2011)</ref> Almost 24 hours later, the MPA (UK) announced on [[Twitter]] that they had asked Go Daddy to reinstate the domain name.<ref>[https://twitter.com/the_MPA/status/61117026009227264 Tweet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024229/https://twitter.com/the_mpa/status/61117026009227264 |date=2016-03-05 }} by Will Lines, [[Music Publishers Association (UK)]] (22 April 2011)</ref>

===Subscription introduction===
On December 27, 2015, the IMSLP moved to a subscription-based model, where users are expected to pay to avoid a waiting period on some of the files available on the site, and to access certain newly uploaded files.<ref name="Strad2016">{{cite web|title = IMSLP music library introduces paid membership – The Strad|url = http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/imslp-music-library-introduces-paid-membership/|website = The Strad|access-date = 2016-01-14|language = en-US|date = 2016-01-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160114085206/http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/imslp-music-library-introduces-paid-membership/|archive-date = 2016-01-14}}</ref> Users who have not paid are subject to a 15-second waiting period on certain files (excluding [[Creative Commons]]-licensed files that constitute a majority of the site's files),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&p=40283#p40283 |title=Upcoming changes - Page 2 |publisher=IMSLP Forums |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2016-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214102734/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&p=40283#p40283 |url-status=live }}</ref> and are required to wait up to two days to access newly uploaded files.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:Membership_Q%26A |title=IMSLP:Membership Q&A - IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music |access-date=January 27, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131001340/http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP%3AMembership_Q%26A |archive-date=January 31, 2016 }}</ref>

The project leader Edward Guo<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imslp.org/wiki/User:Feldmahler |title=User:Feldmahler - IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music |access-date=April 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418150035/http://imslp.org/wiki/User%3AFeldmahler |archive-date=April 18, 2015 }}</ref>{{primary inline|date=August 2016}} claimed the changes were made because the level of funding was "not sustainable in the long run", but also noted:

<blockquote><poem>The income we receive from various sources have been enough to maintain the site so far, but I increasingly believe that this level of funding is not sustainable in the long run. We are not, like traditional music libraries, bound by the service of a conservatory, university or publisher, but rather can do things that traditional institutions are not willing to do, because we serve only musicians and music lovers. But everything is a tradeoff – we also do not have the funding infrastructure these traditional institutions have, and over the past few years I’ve frankly exhausted my imagination in searching for new realistic sources of funding for IMSLP.

And so I will announce here that a subscription system for IMSLP will be put in place. But this will not be a traditional subscription model – in particular, no file will be blocked from access by the public. Rather, a subscription will permit a member to download files without having to wait a certain number of seconds, eliminiate [''sic''] some of the advertising on the site, and a few other benefits. I see this as a way to both preserve IMSLP's philosophy of open access and to secure IMSLP’s future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8187 |title=Upcoming changes |publisher=IMSLP Forums |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2016-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613134755/http://www.imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8187 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Strad2016"/></poem></blockquote>

Guo attributed the change in funding to discussions with librarians at an [[International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres|IAML]] conference in June 2015. Some contributors to the website expressed concerns that Guo had not properly attempted to raise donations, but without any prior warning, introduced the membership system to monetize their work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8187 |title=Upcoming changes |publisher=IMSLP Forums |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2016-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613134755/http://www.imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8187 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Naxos Music Library===
On April 18, 2016, the IMSLP announced<ref>{{cite tweet|number=722119931194683393|user=imslp|title=IMSLP membership now includes full access to Naxos Music Library with 1.8MM+ tracks for instant streaming!<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |access-date=2016-08-22|date=2016-04-18}}</ref> on its [[Twitter]] account that all subscribers will have access to the [[Naxos Records|Naxos]] Music Library.

===EU server===
On July 10, 2010, a forum thread<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3794 |title=Imslp-Eu |publisher=IMSLP Forums |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2016-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911140125/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3794 |url-status=live }}</ref> announced the opening of a new server located in the Netherlands. This server allows works that are public domain in Canada and the EU to be downloaded legally, even if they are under copyright in the US. The server was initially run by an unaffiliated European organization, while a forum thread<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6985|title=Project Leonardo|website=Imslpforums.org|access-date=2013-07-07|archive-date=2014-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803142345/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6985|url-status=live}}</ref> later announced that operations had been handed over to Project Leonardo, a new unaffiliated company incorporated in New Zealand to "provide web hosting services to online libraries that distribute free contents in any fields of arts and science". Files on the EU server are flagged (EU).

===US server===
A similar, also unaffiliated, US server allows users to download works that are in the public domain only in the US.  Unlike the other servers, this one can only be contributed to by administrators and users who have asked for the privilege, though the files are freely accessible for download.

===CA server===
On July 1, 2013, a forum thread<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7099|title=Anniversary and Canadian server announcement|website=Imslpforums.org|access-date=2013-07-07|archive-date=2013-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003014057/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7099|url-status=live}}</ref> announced the opening of a new server located in Canada and operated by Project Leonardo, the unaffiliated company that also runs the EU server. This server is especially intended for users located in countries where copyright lasts 50 years from the death of the author, such as Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and many others. Files on the CA server are flagged (CA).

===WIMA merge===
On August 23, 2011, an announcement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5236|title=IMSLP to merge with WIMA|website=Imslpforums.org|access-date=2011-08-28|archive-date=2011-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924071324/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5236|url-status=live}}</ref> was made that the [[Werner Icking Music Archive]] would merge with the IMSLP.  WIMA had announced the merge on its own site five days before in an open letter to contributors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icking-music-archive.org/IMSLP.php|title=WIMA merges with IMSLP, the International Music Score Library Project|website=Icking-music-archive.org|access-date=2011-08-28}}</ref>  After working out some technical issues, the IMSLP decided to officially commence the merge on August 28. The merge was announced to be complete on July 21, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5236&start=150#p33434|title=IMSLP to merge with WIMA|website=Imslpforums.org|access-date=2012-07-21|archive-date=2012-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004052540/http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5236&start=150#p33434|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Current legal structure===
IMSLP is now owned by Project Petrucci LLC, a private company created to run the website. Project Petrucci LLC was registered as a [[Delaware]] [[limited-liability company]] on June 28, 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx |title=Division of Corporations - Filing |website=Icis.corp.delaware.gov |date=2004-12-15 |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2015-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921182309/https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> when the site founder was studying at the [[New England Conservatory]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imslp.org/wiki/User:Feldmahler#Contact |title=User:Feldmahler - IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music |access-date=April 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418150035/http://imslp.org/wiki/User%3AFeldmahler |archive-date=April 18, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Knopf |first=Howard |url=http://excesscopyright.blogspot.com/2011/02/imslp-back-in-news-library-of-public.html |title=EXCESS COPYRIGHT: IMSLP Back in the News - Library of Public Domain Music Scores |website=Excesscopyright.blogspot.com |date=2011-02-22 |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2016-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310105104/http://excesscopyright.blogspot.com/2011/02/imslp-back-in-news-library-of-public.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Project Leonardo is an [[internet service provider]] that hosts free online content in the arts or sciences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://leonardolibrary.org/ |title=Project Leonardo Portal |publisher=Leonardo Library |access-date=2016-07-10 |archive-date=2016-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713145957/http://leonardolibrary.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Similar projects==
* [[Choral Public Domain Library]] (focused on choral and vocal music)
* [[Musopen]] (focused on recordings)
* [[Mutopia Project]] (focused on [[Typesetting|typeset]] scores)
* [[Werner Icking Music Archive]] (contains mainly [[early music]]; merged with the IMSLP)

==See also==
* [[List of online music databases]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|IMSLP}}
{{Wikidata property|P839}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Discipline-oriented digital libraries]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2006]]
[[Category:Internet services shut down by a legal challenge]]
[[Category:Online music and lyrics databases]]
[[Category:MediaWiki websites]]
[[Category:Music libraries]]
[[Category:Public domain music]]
[[Category:Sheet music]]
[[Category:Canadian music websites]]
[[Category:Canadian digital libraries]]