This is topic Copyright question... in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by SausageMan (Member # 5134) on :
 
There's a video game that I love with absolutely awesome music, although an official soundtrack for it has never been made. I've found a place to download a mocked-up soundtrack, and I love listening to it in my car.

The problem: would it be illegal to distribute the mp3's to other people who have the game (especially considering it's not from an official CD)? I'm only asking because the place I would post it is sometimes visited by the game's creators, and I want to remain as aboveboard as possible.

I know a lot of people here are familiar with these kind of laws, so I just thought I'd throw the question out.
 
Posted by Trisha the Severe Hottie (Member # 6000) on :
 
That's a toughie. I'm pretty sure it's wrong, I just don't know exactly how wrong.

I have to say that our rate of marital relations had dropped since we got Halo. Maybe if I made a soundtrack of the CD I could lure my husband back to the bedroom. TMI? Sorry.

[ January 12, 2005, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: Trisha the Severe Hottie ]
 
Posted by SausageMan (Member # 5134) on :
 
It's just hard, because the [url= http://"http://s6.invisionfree.com/bge2_revolution/index.php"]website[/url] in question is a campaign I've started to get a sequel for the game Beyond Good & Evil, and listening to the music is a great way to get people excited about working for the campaign. But since we've been deprived of an OST, it seems like this is the only way we can do that (except playing the game itself, although you can't really play it while driving down the highway [Razz] ).

I really want it to be okay. [Frown]
 
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
 
SausageMan, I don't think it would be such a big issue... If you do convince more people to give it a try, and because of this you get the company to make another game, and, because of this, they earn more money I think they'll forgive you! After all, you're doing the stuff to help the company. [Dont Know]
 
Posted by SausageMan (Member # 5134) on :
 
I like your thinking! [Razz]

Unfortunately, the reason a sequel isn't coming is because the first game sold like crap and Ubisoft doesn't want to do that again.

On the other hand, the guy who actually made the game might even check out the site, and he would want the sequel coming more than anyone.

I'm still waiting to see if any big names come to our place, so as of now it's not a problem, but in the future...
 
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
 
It may not be such a big issue, but it's most likely illegal. Even assuming an individual owner of the game has a right to create (or receive) a cd of the music for his own personal use, how will you assure that you only distribute the music to people already in possession of the game?
 
Posted by Trisha the Severe Hottie (Member # 6000) on :
 
You also have to look at the movie industry not wanting edited films to be distributed. It would increase their sales, but apparently violates the principle of creative property.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
They don't want it, but it's not illegal.
 
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
 
Actually, I think it is, mph.
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
An edited film is pretty much the textbook definition of a derivative work, which means the copyright holder can control who distributes it and how.

However, those DVD players which can take a template and "edit" movies on the fly are probably legal, since there is no distribution going on.

Of course, there's a law in Congress now that would likely explicitly outlaw such things.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
There are several companies out here in Utah that rent modified movies. One of them (CleanFlix, if I recall) was sued by the MPAA and won.

They get around by not selling it. You have to become a member of the club, which means you have partial ownership of the DVDs, and you are allowed to edit your own movies.

[ January 12, 2005, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: mr_porteiro_head ]
 
Posted by NinjaBirdman (Member # 7114) on :
 
I never understood why they took that game down to $20 so fast. It was at $50 for only a couple of weeks.
 
Posted by Glaphyra the Righteous (Member # 6995) on :
 
Why not contact the guys you are worried might be offended and just ask them? Is that a possible option?
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
quote:
There are several companies out here in Utah that rent modified movies. One of them (CleanFlix, if I recall) was sued by the MPAA and won.

They get around by not selling it. You have to become a member of the club, which means you have partial ownership of the DVDs, and you are allowed to edit your own movies.

Which pretty much confirms that it's illegal to distribute edited movies. The whole legal decision centers around CleanFlix not actually distributing them.

Dagonee
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
You're right. My mistake.
 


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