Hello

I've been looking at all the Bethesda / Skyrim and other reliable sources (like IGN etc.) to find some solid rules on what users are and aren't allowed to record and upload to YouTube and/or Machinima Realm.

I was wandering if someone could provide me a link to a trustworthy source that provides the information I need. I know this sounds quite wierd but I'm not asking you to search, just to give me a link to a reliable website you've already come across. If you're an admin of the Forum, I'd be equally satisfied with the answer

Thanks
-Alex Walker (Wireheadking)

Copyright laws prohibit you from copying a book, even if you paid for it.

Does that not apply to a video game as well?

I don't think any gaming companies enforce it, but they could.

You don't own the video game, Bethesda do. HOWEVER they tend not to take action against gameplay footage once a game is released. They will limit it before release to ensure footage goes to big publications/broadcasters.

People even created entire "games" (Elsweyr, Nehrim, Etc..) using Bethesda's Engine (That in its turn is based in Gamebryo's Engine)

Not sure, I think technically they are allowed to make you stop/delete the videos, but most Companies aren't that stupid, "Let's Plays" and other gameplay videos are free advertising for their games. I also think the US was trying to pass a Bill that had something to do with this.

it tends to be a very legally gray area... how it usually plays out is that people release whatever videos they want, and some time later if the devs (and/or their lawyers) do not approve, the videos are simply removed. generally as long as your not profiting off it no one cares; the guys who made nehrim used the whole OB engine and a bunch of resources, but because its free... no one cares. this being a video game, certainly some videos arent going to be a problem...as long as you credit bethesda as the makers of the game, its not like its anything but free advertisemant; you cant play the game by watching a video after all. there are all kinds of gameplay vids and machinima. im no copyright lawyer, but based on whats up on the web already, im fairly certain any gameplay video you want to make after release is perfectly legal.

As long as your not profiting from it knock yourself out.

If your gonna be profiting from it expect to be paying some royalties.

Elsweyr was less of a game, and more of an expansion.

Nehrim was a full game, but wasn't sold. It was free.