Upgrade Your Knowledge: Understanding What Copyright Is for You and Your Content

Content creation has become more than just a hobby—it’s a thriving means of earning money. Yes, hobbies can be lucrative if you find and gather the right audience, which is why gamers have combined both and produced game-centered content. At its core, it is great, especially if you love what you are doing. However, there are those who may latch onto the fruits of your labor for a quick buck. 

Luckily, laws such as copyrights can keep your content safe, and today's topic will help you in your journey of content creation. 

What is copyright? 

This is a legal concept designed to protect creators’ rights to their original works. In the gaming world, this means everything from the game itself—graphics, storyline, characters, and music—to user-generated content such as mods, fan art, and streamed gameplay. 

From GIPHY Gaming Official

A good example of copyright in action is big ol’ Nintendo. Nintendo is known for being… “protective” of its intellectual property, to the point of copy-striking content creators who support them wholeheartedly. Numerous fan projects that recreated classic Nintendo games or developed stories based on Nintendo characters have been shut down due to copyright infringement claims. Love it or hate it, Nintendo knows what is up regarding copyright. 

What do you need to know as a creator?

For gamers, copyright touches on several activities. For streaming, like on Twitch or YouTube, game developers allow creators to make whatever they deem appropriate for the game. This acts as a marketing strategy as it helps promote their game. But if you are an aspiring creator, it is always best to check the game’s copyright policy, which is often found on their website, just to avoid any copyright strikes for your own content.

From Bethesda Official GIPHY 

Modding in terms of copyright is also tricky. Basically, modding is an action that its community takes to improve the game or improve the overall experience—it’s a way for them to show their love for the game. While many developers support this community-driven content, it’s essential to understand the guidelines set out. Games like Bethesda’s Skyrim have very mod-friendly policies that encourage massive creativity, but there are also some developers that have an eye out for anything modding their game child. 

If your content revolves around the fanart of your favorite game, it can also be liable to legal action. Drawing your favorite character or designing merchandise based on game elements might seem harmless, but it’s legally tricky. These creations can infringe on the copyrights of the game developers because in order to legally sell your art or merchandise, you will need permission from the copyright holder. 

From The Office official GIPHY

Staying safe and respectful. If you want to remain vigilant of these things and protect your content, you can take note of the following:

• The fine print: Yes, it may be boring, but checking the copyright terms and conditions of the games and their content is your safety net. It is normally in the end-user license agreement if you are wondering where it can be found. 

• Permission: If you’re unsure whether your activity infringes on copyright, it’s safest to seek permission from the copyright holder; this is especially vital if you're looking to monetize your content. You can hire a legal team to look into it if you can't. 

• Official channels: One simple thing that is often overlooked is utilizing official channels. Many games and developers provide assets and tools for content creation on their official channels. If you want to create content around a specific game or title, check what they have for official use. 

Understanding copyright is not just about adhering to legalities—it's about respecting the creators and contributing positively to the gaming community. Whether you're a streamer, a modder, or a fan artist, knowing these boundaries can ensure your stability in the industry without suffering apprehension. Despite it being a fun hobby, if you want to make it a living, you must also put in the time and effort into the legalities.  

If you are ready to jump into your passion job, you can start small but effectively. Streaming is by no means easy, but it will become easier with the right equipment! If you don’t know where to look, you can set your eyes on the Next Upgrade Shop, which offers the latest and greatest equipment, like the AverMedia BO311 Live Streamer Streaming Kit, which can be your partner in your content creation journey!