Copyright on video game footage

Nymins · 18 Dec 2007 at 09:51

I was just wondering what the deal is with copyright on video game footage. For college, im making a documentary on video game violence, which will be uploaded to Channel 4's 3min Wonder thing. But i want to use around 20 seconds of my own footage from Gears of War. The tutor made me contact Epic to ask persmission, but i thought it didn't matter since its open to the public and people post videos on Youtube with Gears of War and tons of other game footage that im sure they didn't ask permission for.

Anyone know what the real deal is with this?

Thanks

scorza · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:00

Copyright is with the author, so Epic will own the copyright for any of their video game footage. They probably won't mind you using the footage though, but prolly best to ask them like your tutor suggests.

branddaly · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:00

Give me a few minutes. I'll email this onto my other half, she's a Librarian with far too much knowledge on copyright fair use laws.

Nymins · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:02

Thanks for the replies. I emailed Mark Rein anyway, so i hope to get a reply soon, need to get this thing editted and finished by thursday :S

ScarySquirrel · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:08

You might be best ringing them rather than rely on one individual replying to your email. He might be sick/on holiday/lazy.

Nymins · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:10

ScarySquirrel said:
You might be best ringing them rather than rely on one individual replying to your email. He might be sick/on holiday/lazy.

Are they not based in the US? The time difference could be a problem and a call would cost a fortune. Dunno if the college would allow me

ScarySquirrel · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:14

Wait until this afternoon and time difference isn't a problem.

Your tutor told you to call them so blame him on the high costs

Nymins · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:17

ScarySquirrel said:
Wait until this afternoon and time difference isn't a problem.

Your tutor told you to call them so blame him on the high costs

Well i think she meant email. But yea ill wait for a bit and if i don't hear anything then, i dunno.

branddaly · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:17

My Missus has come back with;

'Hiya,

I can't find anything definitive on this just yet, but I would have thought that it would be best to seek permission, even if it's not strictly needed. I'm sure that Epic would be within their rights to say that the footage is still under their copyright, as they created the image in the first place - surely just because someone has played their game and taped themselves doing it doesn't mean that they own the copyright.

I'll try to have another look and let you know.'

I then asked her for clarification on whether there was any fair use for presentations/news reports and she said;

'Normally a fee has to be paid for footage being used, even if it's for a few seconds...eg North West Film Archive can charge about £60 per clip. '

So you are definately doing the right thing asking permission.

Nymins · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:23

Thats fine, thanks branddaly. What about a game like Doom? I mean Doom 1 the really old one, could i use footage or even just screenshots of it?

branddaly · 18 Dec 2007 at 10:26

Copyright lasts 50 odd years (in the uk) doesn't it.... So it would still be under ID's control (assuming its ID's copyright). Technically you'd still need permission.