Video Games as a Content Creation Tool
Hello fellow gamers,
On Dec 02, Chris and I will be presenting on the use of video games in creating videos and streams in various ways. The scope of my part will be on gameplay videos such as let’s play videos or video guides for games and gameplay streaming, the legal implications for such activities, the application of fair dealing/use, and the economic relationship between developers/publishers and video content creators. Chris will be presenting on the creation of original videos through video game software, the commercial and legal implications, and a potential unique defence against copyright claims. Broadly speaking, we will be talking about to what extent such videos might constitute infringements and, if such videos do, to what extent certain defences may be applied to them.
We’ve attached the presentation for you to download ahead of time and, just in case, here’s the link to the Google Slides and the link to a PPT of the slides directly. Let us know if you have any trouble downloading the material.
We invite comments and questions to continue the discussion on this topic.
See below for the source materials we used for the presentation.
Common-law elements of fair dealing:
CCH Canadian Ltd v Law Society of Upper Canada, 2004 SCC 13 (CanLII), [2004] 1 SCR 339, paras 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59.
https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2004/2004scc13/2004scc13.html
US statutory elements of fair use:
17 USCA § 107.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107
Discussion of commerciality in fair use:
Harper & Row Publishers, Inc v Nation Enterprises, 471 US 539, 542–43, 105 S Ct 2218, 2221, 85 L Ed 2d 588 (1985), para 46.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/471/539
Safe harbor provisions in the US from OCILLA:
17 USCA § 512.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/512
Polygon’s Articles on Pewdiepie’s Debacle:
https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/10/16285188/pewdie-pie-racist-slur-firewatch-retaliation-dmca
https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/14/16309430/pewdiepie-campo-santo-strike
Article on Machinima and Copyright Law:
Matthew B Freedman, Machinima and Copyright Law, 13 J Intell Prop L 235 (2005).
https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1319&context=jipl
Diary of a Camper:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_a_Camper
Red vs Blue:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_vs._Blue
Great Battle of Skyrim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK6RBgMgjL0
Current Copyright Law … Is It Working?
Hi everyone!
Here is my term project on the effectiveness of copyright law – enjoy!
Some background:
A while back we discussed Jessica Silbey’s book The Eureka Method and her finding that current copyright law does not really reflect how artists work.
When reading her book, I found that it focused heavily on artists who were intrinsically motivated to create. They created art because they loved doing it or because they loved being in creative environments.
The cynic in me wondered if the reason that copyright law didn’t reflect how Silbey’s interviewees really worked was because it was created for people who are motivated by the ability to make money off of their work.
To explore this further, I interviewed Julian Ing, the founder of Vancouver-based social gaming company, Eruptive Games (which has since been sold). I knew that Julian had started the company, not because he was passionate about creating games, but because he saw an opportunity to make money. I wanted to know if copyright law had complimented his process of building a creative company, or if he too experienced a disconnect between the law and the creative process.
This endeavour also gave me some insight into the nature Canadian copyright law in particular.
If you’re curious about my findings, you can find my project attached here: Jessica’s Presentation
Other Links:
Hyperlinked are the intro of Jessica Silbey’s book and the video from my interview with Julian to give my presentation some more context
If you have any issues with the links please let me know via Teams.
Thanks for tuning in!
Coming Soon on November 18th: A parallel reality you have yet to experience…
Hi everyone,
I hope you were able to enjoy your reading break!
On Wednesday, I will presenting on Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, the interactive film.
Prior to the presentation (if you have the time) kindly watch/ play the film. It can be found on Netflix. Please let me know via teams if you have any access issues.
In this post I have also included a short clip, which is optimal for viewing after you have watched the film.
See you Wednesday,
Dinah