A question of 'rules'

Ok, I've heard it over and over, about how game-rips are not allowed, and I'm cool with that. Same for song rips (or sound rips).

BUT! If someone remixes a song from a game, and I give credit to both the author and the game's company, is that allowed?

No.

So long as it is copyrighted, it isn't allowed.

As long as we don't find out...

...or are willing to turn a blind eye...

if by remix you mean that you play it yourself, with your own hands & talent, it is allowed. It's like making a cover of a song, it's been done and it's nothing wrong with it (see Metallica's Garage Inc.).

'Remix' as in somebody used a computer program an made the song to the tune of the original, with new instruments, etc. It's not done by hand, but with a program. And it's not ripped from the game, because it doesn't sound like it's from the game, just the tune.

I don't know about its copyright restrictions, it's been played in non-nintendo orchestras before.

To do covers you must pay the correct fees to the relevent licencing bodies, and be registered.

Remember - music copyright has two parts; the music itself (sheet music, etc.), and the performance. If you want to get rich, go into the former - then everyone who covers it has to pay you as well.

That doesn't exactly answer my question, but thanks for the advice (I think).

The music isn't "OMGimperative" but it'd still be nice to have. However, if using it in my map would break one of the wc3c rules for when I submit it, then there's no problem putting it out.

Put some good old beethoven or something in there (so long as you perform it yourself or something). Or whatever.

It's a bit of a grey area. If it is a multiplayer map though, forget it - it's totally pointless, since the results will be less (MP is harder to be immersive), and playing it would be impossible.

....Umm... oooook...

Anyways, I found the licensing. (I got this specific song from the Newgrounds.com Audio Portal, if anyone cares.)


My final question is this: Is it ok, if I follow the terms above (which is easy, since this isn't a commercial purpose, I'm not altering the song, and I'm giving credit) to use this song in my map? (Under wc3c's rules) The song is a remix of a Legend of Zelda song, so therefore the original tune belongs to Nintendo, but I don't know what the effect is on that. (And to anyone else who may care, the song isn't an instant "oh, that's LoZ" song.)

So long as you can show us that you are following the license, then yes, that's fine.

Wait, i always thought that if someone who made music died then the music is no longer copyrighted? Guess i was wrong

Nope. Most stuff has a longer copyright. It's some crazy amount about 50-70 years.

And family members can restore the copyright later.

The question you should be asking yourself is the music even worth all this effort? Does the music add enough to your map to have to go through the trouble of seeing if it fits the rules or not? Last I checked, WC3 has some pretty good built-in music. :P