Question about music in custom levels

[Oweniyo]

Hello!

 

My question for all of you is, can copyrighted music be used in custom levels, even if the wad is free and just to screw around with? Or is it strict no-go crucifiction in effect if

it's used? I'm not talking about MIDI's, I'm talking about a metal track from a specific artist that would go with the atmosphere of the level itself and have pondered this quesiton for quite some time.

And if MIDI's are okay, can any MIDI be used in a custom level without getting in trouble?

Edited September 23, 2023 by Oweniyo

[Pokemanic33]

I would probably avoid it. I don't think it would get immediately rejected from idgames but it would be fairly likely to get taken down later. MIDIs are pretty common and should be fine so I would go that route.

[DankMetal]

45 minutes ago, Oweniyo said:

And if MIDI's are okay, can any MIDI be used in a custom level without getting in trouble?

As Long as you credit the original artist, or if the music was made for public use, always check that! 

[Oweniyo]

But that's a no to the metal (no MIDI) music? Even if I bought one track and credited the artist?

Damn, and it fitted so good...

Edited September 23, 2023 by Oweniyo

[Insaneprophet]

I believe that its fine to use what ever you want music wise in a wad, just keep in mind a couple of things. Credit where credit is due, some things like mp3s will make the file much larger and not everyone seems to like that, but not everyone even cares, and to have it saved an an archive like idgames it may get rejected for copyright material, but to just upload for people to enjoy.... everyone in this community has been "borrowing" from everywhere since the dawn of time. 😃

[Kappes Buur]

The rule of thumb is that any publishing of music in any format, which is not created by you, can be considered warez. The modifier to this rule is that you must obtain permission from the original composer, only then may you add the music to your own pwad and give credit in written form.

 

However, there is nothing to stop you to enjoy any music while you are playing a pwad.

Edited September 23, 2023 by Kappes Buur

[ENEMY!!!]

My understanding of the situation is that you're unlikely to get into legal trouble for using a MIDI version of copyrighted music, and may well get your map accepted on idgames, but there's a fair chance that if you or others stream your map, video sharing sites will mute the sound and there's a chance they may take the videos down (this can happen automatically, e.g. via YouTube's Content ID system).  If it's a straight copy of copyrighted music, e.g. in MP3 format, you're a lot more likely to get your map rejected on the spot for copyright infringement.  But if it's just for personal use then you can use whatever music you like, copyrighted or not.

 

If it's MIDI music you're after, there's no shortage of MIDI music out there created by the Doom community that is free to use and share as long as you credit the original author.

Edited September 23, 2023 by ENEMY!!!