Legalities of Recording Pro Games

NoDragonsPlz·Jun 14, 2019·5 votes·2,048 views

So, this is a question I've always wondered as I see channels pop up that only record games from LCS/LCK/LEC etc. Is what they are doing legal? I know that Riot freely allows recording of your gameplays, and even use of the music that they release without copyright issues, however I see channels that only exist to upload Pro games after they are finished. Are these channels technically breaking the rules or does Riot actually care about these channels? I know there is a case for "there's too many that do that, so we can't moderate them all" but I really am interested in the legalities of it all! Figured some people here would know!

Thanks!

12 Comments

Absolut GarenJun 14, 20194 votes

In the first instance, Riot probably considers that these channels are ultimately a benefit to them as free advertising etc...

Secondly, how is this worse than recording anything else?

NoDragonsPlzJun 14, 20194 votes

As mentioned above, they do commercialize the Esports scene, so I was wondering cause I see plenty of channels that essentially cut and copy the content produced.

Judah the HammerJun 15, 20194 votes

What specific channel?

NoDragonsPlzJun 15, 20194 votes

channels kinda like this. https://www.youtube.com/user/Kazawuna

OleandervineJun 14, 20193 votes

If they're just recording the games, that's no different than anyone else. How they edit them and all that is up to them, they can add whatever commentary they want, etc.

If they're verbatim recording and uploading and replaying Riot's coverage of the eSports, then they're in actual hot water, because Riot has rights to their own productions.

Absolut GarenJun 14, 20194 votes

{quoted}

If they're just recording the games, that's no different than anyone else. How they edit them and all that is up to them, they can add whatever commentary they want, etc.

If they're verbatim recording and uploading and replaying Riot's coverage of the eSports, then they're in actual hot water, because Riot has rights to their own productions.

But how much rights? Is it different from any other production that also gets shot up to youtube?

Anyway, youtube policy seems to be to pull stuff if the original producers of the content complain about it.

Why would anybody watch it on youtube, if they could just watch it on Riot own site? Everything is there, VOD, and interruption-free.

OleandervineJun 14, 20194 votes

Because if someone you like does hilarious commentary on game footage, you'd be more inclined to watch them. I personally CANNOT STAND the sports casters and all that testosterone fueled bro-play that Riot does with their official coverage, so if someone I like does their own coverage, I'd watch them over anything Riot produces.

Absolut GarenJun 14, 20194 votes

{quoted}

Because if someone you like does hilarious commentary on game footage, you'd be more inclined to watch them. I personally CANNOT STAND the sports casters and all that testosterone fueled bro-play that Riot does with their official coverage, so if someone I like does their own coverage, I'd watch them over anything Riot produces.

Well, yeah, but we decided that this was not an issue at all. I meant just re-uploading the VOD entire to youtube.

OleandervineJun 14, 20194 votes

Who decided that? I don't see anywhere where the OP or even yourself have made the distinction of saying that people are ripping Riot's produced coverage of their pro games. The OP only says that people are recording pro games and showing them on youtube. I can record pro games too straight from the client. If I then do my own coverage and bring in my own people, etc.

Absolut GarenJun 14, 20195 votes

{quoted}

Who decided that? I don't see anywhere where the OP or even yourself have made the distinction of saying that people are ripping Riot's produced coverage of their pro games. The OP only says that people are recording pro games and showing them on youtube. I can record pro games too straight from the client. If I then do my own coverage and bring in my own people, etc.

I made the assumption, based on wording "only record". "Only" I automatically interpreted to mean, as-is, not changing it. "Upload pro games", again, if he meant using those games for their own commentary, then he should say so.

Absolut GarenJun 14, 20194 votes

{quoted}

Because if someone you like does hilarious commentary on game footage, you'd be more inclined to watch them. I personally CANNOT STAND the sports casters and all that testosterone fueled bro-play that Riot does with their official coverage, so if someone I like does their own coverage, I'd watch them over anything Riot produces.

Sidenote: I think the sportscasting and "testosterone fueled bro-play" is hilarious silly parody of actual sports. Sort of the reverse of "professional wrestling" coverage. I keep waiting for players to break out passive-aggressive rivalry and vendetta in the interview.

ChompyWulfJun 15, 20192 votes

I'm assuming one of several things.

Riot doesn't profit from VoDs and therefore doesn't mind if VoDs are uploaded to YouTube by a channel.
Riot views these re-uploads as free advertising for their game.
If a channel is big enough and monetizing it, they have an agreement to pay a percentage to Riot.