This news could bring a lot of controversy since it would fuel one of the most heated debates in recent years after the appearance of the figures of youtubers and content creators. And is that, to what extent do content creators have permission to upload videos of the games? It seems that in Japan someone has paid the consequences for the first time.
Arrested for uploading videos to YouTube
A 52-year-old YouTuber has been arrested in Japan for uploading videos of the narrative novel-type video game “Steins;gate: My Darling’s Embrace”. Apparently, the three videos involved in the complaint showed the end of the game, and these videos generated income passively after its publication, something that in Kadokawa Anime did not sit well.
In addition, the creator of the videos also uploaded a couple of clips as a summary with subtitles and comments as a narration to be able to consume quickly, and where he also revealed the ending of the game and other details of the story.
Where is the problem?
All of this may sound like it’s forbidden to upload game gameplay videos, but in reality everything is more complex in the case of “Steins;gate: My Darling’s Embrance”, since the game it is considered more of an interactive movie than a video game. Hence, posting all the cinematographic scenes is understood more like hacking a movie than posting a gameplay of a game.
The reason for the complaint and the arrest may be closer to that reason than to the fact of uploading a simple gameplay of a game, however, there is no doubt that it will reopen a very complex debate regarding the rights and freedom of upload content to YouTube.
The mess of rights
Can a Youtuber upload a complete game play to the platform without the permission of the game creator? Can you reveal all the secrets? To what extent should you ask the game creators for permission to monetize a video based on copyrighted content?
The subject is quite tricky, and although it is difficult to see it at first, there are certain concepts that make you think. And it is that, if you have bought a game religiously paying for its official price, why can’t you record yourself playing it on your YouTube channel? This in principle has a basic and rather simplistic reasoning, but the moment money appears on the scene, everything changes completely.
Many content creators are making huge amounts of money by broadcasting their games, and this is not well seen by some. And maybe on the other hand it makes sense. The now-defunct video stores paid for video store licenses to be able to make renting movies profitable, and this prism may fit into the situation we are discussing.
On the other hand, the bakery that pays for the sacks of flour, freely creates cakes and cakes at its discretion and makes its business profitable as it seems to it, however, such complex variables as multimedia content do not enter, with so many licenses and rights copyright.
And it is that with the media power that so many youtubers have, the publication of a gameplay of an unknown game can mean success or failure according to the opinion that is made in the video, and that is something that many developers are not willing to pass. But can freedom of expression be limited?
We’ll see if this first case of arrest sets a precedent for this type of content.
Fountain: Automaton
Via: Game Industry
