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Non-NEC Console Related Discussion => Console Chat => Topic started by: Tatsujin on February 13, 2008, 01:32:27 PM

Title: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: Tatsujin on February 13, 2008, 01:32:27 PM

i have a question about how the international law conderning musics in video games are copyright protected?

become those musics time-barred somewhen?
does it depends, how the music was registered back the?
does it depends, if it's about old chip tune music or red book audio?
does the copy right belong to the composer or the company which has/had the game rights? and if the company doesn't exist anymore, what happens then?

i think it differ case by case, how the contract was closed back then. but any thoughts or facts about this issue would be appreciated :)

Title: Re: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: Hobo Xiphas on February 13, 2008, 03:04:21 PM

I am not a copyright lawyer but I play one in Phoenix Wright.

Quote from: Tatsujin

become those musics time-barred somewhen?

I'm having trouble trying to figure out what you mean, but yeah, it will eventually become public domain.  75 years or so in da US, probably the same or less in Japan.

Quote from: Tatsujin

does it depends, how the music was registered back the?

Nah, international copyright law has been pretty static since video games have been around

Quote from: Tatsujin

does it depends, if it's about old chip tune music or red book audio?

No.  What does depend is if a musician licensed their work to the game company, but kept the rights to it.

Quote from: Tatsujin

does the copy right belong to the composer or the company which has/had the game rights?

Depends on the circumstances.  99% of the time, especially with older games, I'd say it belongs to the same guys who own the game.

Quote from: Tatsujin

and if the company doesn't exist anymore, what happens then?

Whoever bought the company owns the rights.  If no one bought the company, then it might either revert to the original creators or be considered public domain depending on the country.

Title: Re: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: Kitsunexus on February 13, 2008, 06:43:48 PM

Of course, some a$$holes don't care about chiptune music, ie: Timbaland.  :evil:
 

Title: Re: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: FM-77 on February 14, 2008, 05:05:46 AM

Be a proud pirate and steal all the music you can.

Title: Re: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: guyjin on February 14, 2008, 08:32:14 AM

Tatsujin is clearly a Ninja, and not a pirate.  8)

Title: Re: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: Game and Watch Kirby on February 17, 2008, 06:07:14 PM

Quote from: guyjin on February 14, 2008, 08:32:14 AM

Tatsujin is clearly a Ninja, and not a pirate.  8)

So, too, is Joe Redifer, but who is the cooler and better ninja? That we may never know 8).

To give an extension on this knowledge, using video game music for works created by yourself without much permission are safe to use for, in example, videos uploaded to the Internet. Many videos on YouTube, as well as possibly MySpace, are good evidence of this (which, in corresponding, refer to some of mine).

Title: Re: question about copyright law of game musics
Post by: Hobo Xiphas on February 22, 2008, 07:19:32 PM

YouTube is not a good example to use for backing up copyright claims.

99% of the stuff on there technically violates someone's copyright.