Are you allowed to use the soundtracks from other media in mods?

[samv96UK]

I have used custom music from other media (notably video games) in the mod I am working on for Skyrim.

 

I know there are rules on porting meshes, textures and animations from other video games, but does this apply for the music too?

 

I can easily change the music back to vanilla Skyrim, but if possible I would like to keep it as it is since it makes the mod more interesting to listen to (if that makes sense).

 

I know that you are allowed to use music that you don't own on youtube videos, so long as you aren't gaining money from it. Is the same with mods, since they are non-profit and the only money involved are optional donations?

 

Many Thanks

[Rennn]

You can import music if whoever created the music allows it. For example, you can't use songs from a new CD you bought at Wal-Mart, because that's piracy. Songs and theme music can be used assuming the musician(s) who created the music have decided to allow people to redistribute the music.

[samv96UK]

You can import music if whoever created the music allows it. For example, you can't use songs from a new CD you bought at Wal-Mart, because that's piracy. Songs and theme music can be used assuming the musician(s) who created the music have decided to allow people to redistribute the music.

 

So I'd essentially have to ask permission from the artist/musician/composers of the music, or find out if it is allowed to be redistributed. I wasn't sure if I would have to do this since, like I mentioned, you can use soundtracks on youtube as long as you aren't gaining money.

[Brinemobee]

ever seen the youtube message

 

this video has been removed due to copyright infringement?

 

you are not allowed to use other peoples music for free in such a way. its just that youtube is so big its hard to manage.

 

its not as simple as you make it out. millions flock to listen to songs on youtube rather then buying the cd/dd. costing the artist and their money sucking managers thousands in revenue.

[Rennn]

It's a bit different with Youtube videos as well, because you don't actually get the free mp3 for playing them. In a mod you'd essentially be handing out the music for free download. Edited August 19, 2012 by Rennn

[JanusForbeare]

I wouldn't quite say that you're allowed to use copyrighted music or other intellectual property on youtube... from what I've read, it's a grey area, with some groups pushing for stronger enforcement. Here's a quote taken from EContent, a magazine that caters to digital media professionals:

 

My favorite example of such a remix is the video of George W. Bush and Tony Blair singing "Endless Love" to each other. You can find it by Googling "Bush, Blair, Endless Love." It is the work of an amazing editor who managed to match the lip movements of the protagonists (Bush and Blair) in clips lifted from the news and combine the video with the song. It is an incredible demonstration of what can be done relatively simply today, though it could have only been done by professionals with very expensive equipment less than a decade ago. It is also illegal, because the individual pieces from which this video is made are private property.

 

However, prosecution of youtube users is costly, time-consuming, and often ineffective, so most artists choose to let such infringements slide, rather than be drawn down into a lengthy legal battle. Still, there's no question that using protected materials in a mod would be a clear violation of copyright, and would probably lead to such a mod - and its author - being removed from the Nexus. Other, more serious consequences are also conceivable.

 

Long story short, avoid the headache, and find a lesser-known indie artist who's just happy to get some exposure. Those guys are used to working for free. ;)

Edited August 19, 2012 by JanusForbeare

[samv96UK]

I wouldn't quite say that you're allowed to use copyrighted music or other intellectual property on youtube... from what I've read, it's a grey area, with some groups pushing for stronger enforcement. Here's a quote taken from EContent, a magazine that caters to digital media professionals:

 

My favorite example of such a remix is the video of George W. Bush and Tony Blair singing "Endless Love" to each other. You can find it by Googling "Bush, Blair, Endless Love." It is the work of an amazing editor who managed to match the lip movements of the protagonists (Bush and Blair) in clips lifted from the news and combine the video with the song. It is an incredible demonstration of what can be done relatively simply today, though it could have only been done by professionals with very expensive equipment less than a decade ago. It is also illegal, because the individual pieces from which this video is made are private property.

 

However, prosecution of youtube users is costly, time-consuming, and often ineffective, so most artists choose to let such infringements slide, rather than be drawn down into a lengthy legal battle. Still, there's no question that using protected materials in a mod would be a clear violation of copyright, and would probably lead to such a mod - and its author - being removed from the Nexus. Other, more serious consequences are also conceivable.

 

Long story short, avoid the headache, and find a lesser-known indie artist who's just happy to get some exposure. Those guys are used to working for free. ;)

 

Yeah, I've already changed the custom tracks to custom vanilla playlists that I think suit the locations just as well. :thumbsup:

[Iv121]

The fact it is uploaded to youtube means you can download it to your comp as MP3 using one of the many youtube converters, so using that music in a mod is not a bigger crime than uploading it to youtube. I also believe reaching one of those popular artists or groups such as Two Steps From Hell in order to ask permission to use their tracks in your trailer will be quite hard so as long as you specify who made it I don't see real problem with it. It is OFC preferable to ask first if you can ... Edited August 19, 2012 by Iv121

[samv96UK]

The fact it is uploaded to youtube means you can download it to your comp as MP3 using one of the many youtube converters, so using that music in a mod is not a bigger crime than uploading it to youtube. I also believe reaching one of those popular artists or groups such as Two Steps From Hell in order to ask permission to use their tracks in your trailer will be quite hard so as long as you specify who made it I don't see real problem with it. It is OFC preferable to ask first if you can ...

 

I've already changed the music in the mod to vanilla Skyrim now. I would like to keep the custom music though...

 

I'm torn- Keeping vanilla is safer, but using custom is more interesting. I'll think about it.

[kevkiev]

The fact it is uploaded to youtube means you can download it to your comp as MP3 using one of the many youtube converters, so using that music in a mod is not a bigger crime than uploading it to youtube. I also believe reaching one of those popular artists or groups such as Two Steps From Hell in order to ask permission to use their tracks in your trailer will be quite hard so as long as you specify who made it I don't see real problem with it. It is OFC preferable to ask first if you can ...

 

I've already changed the music in the mod to vanilla Skyrim now. I would like to keep the custom music though...

 

I'm torn- Keeping vanilla is safer, but using custom is more interesting. I'll think about it.

 

I looked at your Rochebere mod a while back and it looked very very cool, please don't take the risk of getting banned by uploading copyrighted material without permission. Everyone loses in that scenario.

 

@lvl121 - it may not be a bigger crime than uploading on youtube (I'm not even sure what that means actually), but the difference is that Nexus doles out the punishment at a 100% clip. Also, the convenience or lack thereof for obtaining permission is completely irrelevant.

Edited August 19, 2012 by kevkiev