Dallas, TX asked in Business Formation, Copyright and Gaming for Texas

Q: Is it illegal to create a game stockfootage business, where you record game footage and sell it to creators?

Could be indie or a AAA title game

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Creating a business around selling recorded game footage can be legally tricky. Most video games, whether indie or AAA, are protected by intellectual property laws. When you record gameplay, you are capturing someone else’s copyrighted content, so you would need permission from the game's developer or publisher to sell that footage.

Many companies have specific guidelines regarding how their game content can be used, such as through content creator programs or licensing agreements. Some allow monetized content on platforms like YouTube but may restrict selling the footage independently. Always check each game’s terms of service and consult with the developer or publisher before using their content commercially.

Without proper authorization, selling gameplay footage may result in copyright infringement claims or legal action from the game’s creators. It’s important to get clear permissions to avoid potential legal issues.

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