Copyrighted gaming screenshots

[GSquadron]

Are video game screenshots copyrighted or I can use them wherever I want?

 

[BeeBoop]

Most gaming companies are fine with you putting them up on youtube but they are technically copyrighted.

 

[GSquadron]

What if used on facebook, youtube or twitter ads?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Using images from a game to advertise your site?

I'd check the game company's website for contact information. They probably have policies they can send you. You might also want to do that to get in contact with their marketing people -- maybe they'd pay you a few bucks now and then to re-skin your site with a full-page wrapper ad for a new game.

 

[momeNt]

That probably depends how it is being used. Best to contact them.

 

[GSquadron]

ok, thanks guys

 

[mrjminer]

Yes, contact them to find out.

Most likely, they'll just have you put an attribution that indicates they, not you, own the contents of the screenshot. Probably varies by company, though.

Just saw the for marketing question: definitely contact; policies can vary widely, and a lot of companies probably prohibit usage for this purpose without compensation or have some restrictions in place

 

[mmntech]

This has been hotly debated in the gaming world due to the influx of let's play videos, and content creators making money off them. Nintendo is the only big company that doesn't allow it though.

As for using screenshots in ads, I'd say that's a big no-no. You'd have to contact the company first to see what they'd say.

 

[ThinClient]

Depends if you're making money off of the effort or not.

 

[Rakehellion]

In general, no. If you're trying to make money from it, hell no.

Also it depends on if it's promotional material from the game company or screenshots stolen from someone's blog.