Greetings Halo community.
I am planning on creating a Halo animation, but I’m unsure about copyright laws and such for the sound effects and music. I don’t want to be using Halo music and sound effects without permission.
If anybody could tell me the rules concerning these things, I would be most grateful.
P.S. I’ve tried looking at the ‘Microsoft terms of use’ policy, but it doesn’t make sense to me… 
EDIT: I now know that I can use Halo 3 music for the animation. But what about sound effects?
I’m not an expert on this but I think that you should be fine if you add this to the end of your video/animation.
> [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.
> I’m not an expert on this but I think that you should be fine if you add this to the end of your video/animation.
>
>
>
> > [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.
Thanks for replying. Like I said I wasn’t sure about stuff like this.
Anything else I should know before animating?
I’m signing out for now. It’s getting pretty late here. Thanks in advance people. 
IIRC, the only Halo music that can be used is Halo 3’s after a special agreement between Marty O Donnel, Michael Salvatori and Microsoft.
Here’s the quote from the Game Content Usage Rules:
> If you want to use the soundtracks or audio effects from the original game, we often license those from third parties and don’t always have the rights to pass them on to you. If we do, we’ll let you know. For example, we might mention on the community website for a particular game whether you have these rights, so you’d do well to check. If we don’t let you know, you need permission from a third party, especially for games with licensed music. But we’ll confirm right here that the music from Halo 3 is available for your use in non-profit ventures thanks to an arrangement with O’Donnell/Salvatori, Inc., composers of this iconic theme.
You also said you read the Terms of Use, not the actual Game Content Usage Rules, please read them here.
> IIRC, the only Halo music that can be used is Halo 3’s after a special agreement between Marty O Donnel, Michael Salvatori and Microsoft.
>
> Here’s the quote from the Game Content Usage Rules:
>
>
>
> > If you want to use the soundtracks or audio effects from the original game, we often license those from third parties and don’t always have the rights to pass them on to you. If we do, we’ll let you know. For example, we might mention on the community website for a particular game whether you have these rights, so you’d do well to check. If we don’t let you know, you need permission from a third party, especially for games with licensed music. But we’ll confirm right here that the music from Halo 3 is available for your use in non-profit ventures thanks to an arrangement with O’Donnell/Salvatori, Inc., composers of this iconic theme.
>
> You also said you read the Terms of Use, not the actual Game Content Usage Rules, please read them here.
Thank you. This is really helpful!
You know, Copyright is a pain to deal with. OP, just copy and paste, both Games Content Usage Statements at the end of the animation in the credits.
Thanks. I’ll keep this mind.
Well, everything seems to be in order. Unless anyone has anything else to add, I think it’s time to start getting ready.
Thanks for the help people. Very much appreciate it.
> Well, everything seems to be in order. Unless anyone has anything else to add, I think it’s time to start getting ready.
>
> Thanks for the help people. Very much appreciate it.
I think I’ll say it just to confirm you know, do NOT put ad revenue on your animation. You’re fine to use the music, just don’t earn any money from the video.
As others have already stated:
If you do this, you’ll be fine.
If you’re interested, I wrote an article that covers the basics of what you need to know about creating music or using music in your videos:
http://cruellegaceyproductions.com/2012/08/22/machinima-music-creating-a-soundtrack-for-your-video/
Hope this helps!
> As others have already stated:
> * Do not try to monetize the video in any way
> * Follow the game content usage rules
>
> If you do this, you’ll be fine.
>
>
> If you’re interested, I wrote an article that covers the basics of what you need to know about creating music or using music in your videos:
>
> http://cruellegaceyproductions.com/2012/08/22/machinima-music-creating-a-soundtrack-for-your-video/
>
>
> Hope this helps!
> > Well, everything seems to be in order. Unless anyone has anything else to add, I think it’s time to start getting ready.
> >
> > Thanks for the help people. Very much appreciate it.
>
> I think I’ll say it just to confirm you know, do NOT put ad revenue on your animation. You’re fine to use the music, just don’t earn any money from the video.
Thanks both of you. Thanks to everyone for helping me.
Just one last question before I start animating.
I now understand that I can use the Halo 3 soundtrack, as long as I put that copyright stuff in my animation credits.
But what about sound effects? I recently saw an animation that seemed to use grunt voices and elite voices from the games. Am I allowed to use sound effects from the games? And if so where would I find them?
Thanks in advance.