As a composer working with clients in the gaming industry, I’ve encountered a recurring issue related to music licensing on platforms like AudioJungle. Game developers often face problems when streamers or content creators use their gameplay footage, which includes licensed music, on platforms like YouTube. This can lead to unexpected copyright claims or Content ID issues, especially when the music is registered with services like AdRev.
Currently, the Standard and Mass Reproduction licenses on AudioJungle work for game distribution but don’t address the specific scenario of music being used in live streams or gameplay videos. For games with fewer than 10,000 downloads, the Standard License applies, while the Mass Reproduction License is intended for games with more than 10,000 downloads. However, neither of these licenses fully considers the challenges game developers face when their music ends up in user-generated content, such as live-streamed gameplay.
To help address this issue for my clients, I’ve been hired to create custom, similar-sounding tracks that are not registered with Content ID services like AdRev, giving my clients more control over the rights and allowing them to avoid these streaming issues. While this has worked on a case-by-case basis, I believe there could be an opportunity to create a more standardized solution for developers who want their games to be freely streamed without the risk of copyright disputes.
I’m curious to hear from others in the community—whether composers or developers—about how you’ve handled this issue, and whether there might be ways to expand or refine the licensing options available for game developers. Could there be a new licensing model or a more flexible solution that better addresses the unique needs of games and interactive media, particularly when it comes to streaming and user-generated content?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, as I’m sure this is an issue that many of us encounter. Perhaps together, we can come up with ideas that could benefit everyone involved.
There are many threads about this. For some reason this issue is regularly being put on the shoulders of authors when it is not our responsibility in any way.
The situation is quite straightforward. If third-parties want to create and publish content that includes copyrighted music, they should get a license for it, like everyone is supposed to. Why would buying a game act as a waiver for getting a license?
Now if the game developer wants to be generous and accommodate their customers, let them cover the cost of licensing. But there is no reason the music author should give up on collecting from unlicensed users.
Music authors are way too willing not to get paid.
That’s interesting. If it leads to a new stream of revenue for authors, I’m all for it. Though it would have to be under strict terms and a fair compensation.
But that would require a new licensing model, or at least a few new licenses (depending on the number of streamers). Unfortunately, Envato has shown its inability and unwillingness to implement such new features.
Professional game studios hire composers to write exclusive music that is not registered with Content ID. Or make checkbox in game options wich is disabling copyrighted music for streamers. End of story.
I guess your right, I guess I thought there might be room for different type of license that would allow smaller studios to handle the issue of streaming their game without having to hire a composer directly.
I came to these forums to discuss AdRev and it’s ironic yours is the post. I’ve run into a couple of issues using your music on YouTube with regards to AdRev. I license ALL my music through envato and always have the license ready to upload. Over the past six months, any time I’ve used a piece that’s registered through AdRev, the dispute runs the full 30 days without any response from them. Ever. The last three times I ran into this issue was with music from you and while after 30 days, the dispute is settled in my favor it really messes up my analytics because I don’t have a clear picture of revenue generated until the dispute “timer” runs out. This has prompted me to simply not use any music that’s registered via AdRev. Which kinda sucks because I really enjoy your pieces; they’re perfect for my videos. Either AdRev is too busy or is simply NOT doing what they’re supposed to be doing for you. I have three disputes right now all coming up on 3 weeks. I love supporting independent artists through Envato and it’s really frustrating to see what I perceive as unresponsiveness on the part of content ID companies like AdRev.
I am very sorry to hear that, I am completely unaware that this kind of thing is going on until someone notifies me directly. I am always more than happy to clear any claims people notify me directly with. I can clear claims very quickly manually if I have the link to the youtube video and a copy of the license you purchased. Please feel free to email directly with any claims at (PI removed)
Got this back: Your message wasn’t delivered to (PI removed) because the address couldn’t be found, or is unable to receive mail.Your message wasn’t delivered to (PI removed) because the address couldn’t be found, or is unable to receive mail.
Sorry to hear AdRev is unresponsive. I quit using their services about 6 years ago. My music is not registered with them.
When a license is provided, a claim should be lifted within a few hours, up to two days max. If it takes longer, it’s best to contact the author so they can help sort it out. I am very responsive and my current service provider has been as well so far.
Regarding AdRev not responding, it’s possible you’re using an outdated form that they no longer use (though it’s still online). I had that issue with them simply ignoring me, which is one of the reason I left. Turned out they had simply stopped checking for messages received trough this form.
I perfectly understand the frustration with having to wait 30 days for a claim to run out. This is not how it is supposed to work.
All good; I am using the form on YouTube. Same form I use on all license submissions as part of my upload process. If I know music is going to need the license, I let the YouTube check try and catch it first but usually it doesn’t til the video racks up views so I always end up having to go back like 30 minutes later and then submit it.
Sorry for the inconvenience, you can message through my profile page or see my email there. I can’t give out my email over the message boards here. Please include a link to each video and a copy of each license you purchased, that will make it easy for me to clear them quickly.