[PsyBorg]

I'm just wondering if making videos of VGs is actually legal or not considering the fact that it's copyrighted content.



(If the answer is actually yes, I request an explanation.)

[Rolken]

That's an interesting question.

It seems the answer is, nobody knows. Check this article out, the test part in particular; speedruns fall neatly in the grey area.

Of course, realistically, nobody would sue over it. Technically fan sites using official art is illegal too.

[douglas]

I don't know how it is in the States, but over here we have "fair use" clauses which say you can use a certain amount of content (can't remember the figure but it's like a couple of percent) for things that don't negatively impact the original product (it was originally brought in so literature could be quoted).

Not that anyone would sue speedrun makers if they've any sense; communities surrounding games is marketing you can't buy.

[qubit]

The Canadian system has an obscure loophole concerning multimedia: if a copyrighted image is modified in any way, shape or form, or is combined with other copyrighted images, it is legally considered a "piece of art" and therefore said artist is not eligible to be sued for copyright infringement.

This was meant to legalize "contemporary" art which sometimes uses copyrighted images to express opinions, and luckily for Canuck TAers, changing ANYTHING in our TA vids (even something like quality or framerate) legally makes the clip a piece of art (albeit a moving piece of art).

[Crowbar]

Speedruns as art?

I'm down with that.

[CosmicFalcon]

When it comes down to it, hardly anyone really knows shit about copyright laws. I mean it's like "omg I am make a website, better put a legal disclaimer on it so no one steals my stuff". gg. "Oho I have illegal content. Better put a legal disclaimer on it so that it is legal." gg. "PR0NLOL". gg.

Yeah whatever I digress.

[magnum12]

Video game review sites such as gamespot and IGN have videos of video games as part of their "gameplay footage" sections, so it is most likely legal. What makes law suits likely is whether money is made from stuff like this or not.

[Illuminated]

As far as I know, as long as you don't gain any profit for it, its alright.