See the discussion about Tsunami here:

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/forum/displayquestion.php?topicid=5012

42zaphod, September 28, 2005; 2:16 PM

In a word, Yes, Tsunami releases are bootlegs.
Tsunami has released dozens of CD's featuring material that they have NOT LICENSED. They have obtained recordings from individuals who either had them in their collection or, in many cases, actually stole them from the studios or archives. In many other cases they have copied previously released editions (this is also now being done by a company called MEMBRAN).

Tsunami (and Membran) rely on copyright law in Germany which supposedly makes all this music in public domain. But that does NOT cover the fact that the recordings themselves are either stolen or unauthorized.

darren.allison1, September 28, 2005; 8:12 PM

From all the opposing contradictions on this forum "bootlegs" to me are getting to be a complicated issue. What does the coined term "B-O-O-T-L-E-G" refer to exactly? Which cd's are bootlegs and which are not? Are they illegal? What is considered illegal anyway? Are they illegal in the U.S. and legal in Europe? If I innocently bring my Tsunami, Alhambra, and my newly acquired Membran (which by the way not only releases film music) collection to the U.S., will I be exexuted on the spot by customs? Why are they being sold extensively on ebay? Why are they being sold in record shops all over Europe? A lot of "bootlegs" are OOP and are gradually becoming collector's items costing much more than what they originally did. Look at the auctions on ebay. To me they seem to be professionally factory pressed cd's and sound fine! P.S. Is there a lawyer out there with specific knowledge on this issue to enlighten us?

, September 29, 2005; 2:32 AM

to me a BOOTLEG is simply a CD with music which is not officially on the market or just a copy of the original (on CDR). A transfered score on a CDR from any source like LP or MC to me personally is also a BOOTLEG.
bootleg = illegal (?)
well, there are nice pressed boots and also lot of CDRs on ebay and on the whole damn internet. I personally thank gods for the boots there existing. otherwise I wouldn't own all the great scores labels didn't / don't release.

Amen brothers and sisters.

1701, July 19, 2007; 4:59 PM

Darren is VERY correct - especially since much of his answer came from a query to yours truly.

Just because a label is "official" does not mean that all their releases are "official." The argument that the Tsunamis and Membrans in question are only licensed for European market is TRASH. Licensed by WHOM? Nobody. They have minions in the U.S. who have supplied them with music tracks and then they release them relying on slim copyright laws in Europe. Membran copies our Screen Archives/CR Studio releases blithely - even the cover art! These people are shameless thieves who do not have the character or respectability to legally acquire materials. Just because they HAVE something doesn't mean they are ALLOWED to have it.

rpfaiola, September 29, 2005; 10:41 PM

PS - the other label to avoid like the plague is TICKERTAPE. They stole a raft of Rozsa and North scores from MGM.

rpfaiola, September 29, 2005; 10:50 PM

Illegally legal is officially unofficial and unofficially official is legally illegal... OK? HEEELP!... P-L-E-A-S-E where is that lawyer!!

, September 30, 2005; 2:27 AM

They were NOT liscansed from the U.S.A. copy right holders.

Feel free to write or call these companies up.

Tsunami, Concorde, Mazeltov Records, etc... ALL bootlegs.

tharpdevenport, September 30, 2005; 2:44 AM

Not only are there bootlegs to worry you, but fake soundtracks, too! Such as the alleged film soundtracks to "Soul Ecstacy" and "Revenge of Mr. Mopoji"(that are in Soundtrack Collector's List of Soundtracks), which are actually the New York acid jazz band "Sugarman 3" jamming. But to tell if a record is a boot, such as the biker and blaxploitation boots in the U.S. & U.K., you have to look at the inner groove of the disc, which has a different code number and sometimes a tawdry statement for you such as biker faggots rule!
Here are a few of my favorites:
Hell's Belles- Les Baxter
Black Gauntlet (Came With Poster!)
Black Shampoo
Tongue
Brother on the Run
Blacula
Wicker Man
Barbarella
Beyond the Valley Of The Dolls
Coffy
Savage!
Bare Knuckles
Blackbelt Jones (Came with Poster!)
10th Victim/ Eugenie & Her Descent Into Perversion- U.S. CD

neelnkizmiaz, October 4, 2005; 5:18 AM