Microsoft New Game Content Usage Rules puts Gaming YouTube Channels Into trouble, No More making Money from Game Footage

Yes, you read it right. According to the new rules by Microsoft on the game content usage, If you are developing a  game video and running ads over them which makes you money, you cannot do it any more.

This means if you are video publisher getting lot video created to tell your viewers on how to play game and luckily you are a YouTube Partner or even a Vimeo Partner, you are breaking rule. This obviously mean that you may get a lot of copyright notice.

Not only this but Microsoft has extended this to third part network where lot of user data is uploaded. So, you are not earning but the website you are uploading to is  making money of it. This is also not allowed.

Here is the rule to eye on :

You may post your Item to a page or website that has advertising, but only if you do not earn any money from that advertising.  For example, if you post your video on YouTube or Vimeo and there happens to be an advertisement next to it, then as long as you don’t get paid for  that advertisement, the fact that there is an advertisement on the page doesn’t break these Rules. But enrolling in the YouTube partner program (or other similar programs), where you are   entering into an agreement to get paid, is not allowed. On a similar note, if you create and distribute a free app, then you can’t earn any money from advertising in that app.

You cannot enter into any agreement with someone else to exclusively distribute your Item even if they don’t pay you.  We give you this license so that you can make cool Items and share them far and wide. Someone else holding your Item back from wide distribution means: (a) it’s not going far and wide; and (b) it is very likely that person is trying to use the Game Content to promote their commercial venture. That’s not what these rules are about.

So does this mean you cannot create Video content ? No, You can but you cannot make money of it. So you can create, share and help people with what you have learned from it till you and site where it is being hosted does not make money.

The Only Way out ?

You need to get license from Microsoft for its game to be used for commercial basis. This means all smaller guys, gamers are one who are going to face the death nail because the big game players will definitely have agreement with Microsoft.

Why Microsoft is doing it ?

Revenue? I doubt but this is a huge blow for many. I was never comfortable putting advertisement on games because YouTube Content id always used to find a copyright issue even with a small piece of sound.

Making a Parody or Fiction or just for Fun ?

You need to add a declaration that it is not authorized by Microsoft and its only for run. Here is the rule which says it clearly.

For  videos that try to add to the fiction or canon of the franchise universe,  please put it at the beginning of your video for at least five seconds.  For all other videos, please put it at the  end of your video for at least five seconds.   Burying the notice, for example, deep in a web page in small print that  is hard to find, does not comply.

[Name of the Microsoft Game] © Microsoft Corporation. [The  title of your Item] was created under Microsoft’s “Game Content Usage  Rules” using assets from [Name of the Microsoft Game]. It is  not endorsed by Microsoft and does not reflect the views or opinions of Microsoft  or anyone officially involved in producing or managing [Name of the Microsoft  Game].  As such, it does not contribute to the official narrative of the fictional  universe, if applicable.

What do you think ? Is it right the way Microsoft has put up the rules ? Does it affect you Video Channel or even your living and kills of your inspiration to make videos ? Let us know in comments.

Via Verge | EGMNow