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This topic has moved here: Subject: Legal question: Use of Halo gameplay footage
  • Subject: Legal question: Use of Halo gameplay footage
Subject: Legal question: Use of Halo gameplay footage

(I can't find a better place to post this on the forums, and I can't find an email link to just ask Bungie.)

Okay, this is how it goes: YouTube says I may qualify to have ads posted on my videos, potentially earning me a little bit of revenue when people view my videos. (The requirements for that must be pretty low, because I sure don't get many views.)
As I look through my videos to see what might qualify, the only videos I have that ever get viewed are ones using Halo footage. Videos of me playing Halo 2, mostly.
I've been asking YouTube about if that qualifies as copyrighted or not, and I don't have any clear answer. So I figured I might as well ask Bungie for official permission.

Now I would assume/hope that people like Bungie would simply issue a standing declaration that anyone can use gameplay footage/stills from their games and collect advertising revenue as long as they don't charge for content, or as long as blah blah blah or whatever. I just think most major companies would do this, but especially Bungie with the way that they provide tools for letting people create videos of their games.
But I want to see something official; I'd like to see something "in writing" rather than just assuming that there is no problem with it.

  • 10.29.2011 12:25 PM PDT

I have never seen any gameplay vids taken down on a copyright claim. The very worst case scenario is that the vid gets taken down. And that is extremely unlikely.

Go for it, the money you make is going to be peanuts unless you have hundreds of vids that get thousands of views. But who cares a little free money is better than no free money.

  • 10.29.2011 2:56 PM PDT

Thank you for the link and quote; it was very helpful!

Still it sounds somewhat contradictory.
"You can't... earn any compensation, including through advertisements."
And then
"We will let you have advertising..."

They could have been a little clearer about that.
After reading it a few times, I think what it means is I can't create ads inside the video, like using halo footage to advertise a product. I don't think that pop-up ads in the video apply.

  • 10.29.2011 8:13 PM PDT

"Switching from Default to BJ is like moving from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air. The cab ride over is hard, but once you make it, you're the Fresh Prince." - Unknown

Bungie doesn't give a -blam!-. Microsoft owns everything Halo.

  • 10.29.2011 8:26 PM PDT

Love playing custom games?

Well come join Customs Evolved

We are group dedicated to playing custom games, map testing, game nights, etc. Anyone is welcomed to join, and we hope to have as much fun as possible!

I started to get really worried lately only because of the fact the US government are pushing this S.978 bill and Protect IP bill which can possibly shut down Youtube, twitter, etc. It basically states that if someone uploads copyrighted content, not only will the uploader get caught, but also will Youtube take the blame as well.

This guy explains it pretty well

  • 10.29.2011 8:36 PM PDT

what do you think machinima does?

  • 10.29.2011 9:22 PM PDT

Don't worry, you're still your mom's favorite Bnet member.

Posted by: AzNs4LiF3
I started to get really worried lately only because of the fact the US government are pushing this S.978 bill and Protect IP bill which can possibly shut down Youtube, twitter, etc. It basically states that if someone uploads copyrighted content, not only will the uploader get caught, but also will Youtube take the blame as well.

This guy explains it pretty well
This. The "Protect IP Bill" is so horribly worded that a transformative work is not well defined. In theory uploading Halo gameplay once could make you a felon if this passes. That's how wrongly worded this bill is.

  • 10.30.2011 11:29 AM PDT