Sometimes, but there is no blanket permission. Whether you can rerun a YouTube gaming stream with copyrighted game music depends on the rights for the specific track, the game publisher’s streaming and monetization terms, and how YouTube handles the live stream and its replay. Buying a game or hearing music in it does not, by itself, establish that you may broadcast and archive that music.
Three separate checks determine whether a rerun is allowed
Do not treat copyright permission, a publisher’s game-content policy, and YouTube’s automated enforcement as the same question. You need to consider each one:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Silent Hill 2 (Game Music) (Original Soundtrack) | $22.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft Volume Alpha | $13.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack | $38.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
30th Anniversary The Legend of Zelda (Original Soundtrack) | $26.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Legend Of Zelda: 30Th Anniversary Concert | $33.98 | Buy on Amazon |
- Music rights: Do you have permission or a valid copyright exception for the particular music, in the territories where viewers can access the stream or replay?
- Publisher terms: Does the game publisher allow streaming and, if relevant, monetization of its game content?
- YouTube enforcement: Could YouTube detect the music, interrupt the live broadcast, or place a Content ID claim on the archived video?
A favorable answer to one does not answer the others. YouTube’s livestream terms put responsibility for necessary rights on the creator, including music licensing rights, and apply to archived content as well as live content. YouTube’s Livestream terms and conditions say creators represent that they have the rights needed to exploit live content on Google services worldwide.
“Game music” can mean two different things
Original music made for the game
YouTube describes an original video-game soundtrack as a recording created primarily for use in a game, such as an original score or background music. Its Content ID policy says references for this kind of soundtrack are valid only when delivered under the game publisher’s content owner. That does not itself grant a streamer permission to use the music.
#1 Best Overall
Popular music licensed into the game
A game may include a commercially released song under a separate license. YouTube’s policy excludes popular music licensed for inclusion in a game from its definition of an original game soundtrack. The song may involve a different rights holder or license from the game itself, so a publisher’s general streaming policy may not clear it. See YouTube’s Content ID policy.
What can happen during a live stream and after it ends
YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content. If it detects a match, it may replace the live picture with a placeholder, warn the creator, and temporarily interrupt or terminate the stream if the content continues. A license does not guarantee uninterrupted streaming: YouTube says a licensed creator may need to ask the rights owner to add the channel to its Content ID allowlist.
Rank #2
- Minecraft Original Soundtrack by C418 CD Volume Alpha
- GHIN85034
- Brand : GHIN85034
If you archive the broadcast, a Content ID claim may be made after the live stream ends. YouTube states: “Content ID claims are only made after you complete your live streams, if you decide to archive the video.” Therefore, getting through a live broadcast without interruption does not establish that the replay is cleared. Review YouTube Help: Copyright issues with live streams.
Publisher permission and monetization are related, but not identical
YouTube says monetization of game footage may depend on commercial-use rights granted by the publisher. Some publishers allow commercial use under their license terms. YouTube’s guidance says that without appropriate publisher permission, game content use must be minimal under the cited policy, and extended footage without qualifying commentary may not be accepted for monetization. This is monetization guidance, not a complete ruling on who owns the music or whether a particular stream is lawful. Check YouTube’s video game and software content monetization guidance and the publisher’s current policy for the exact game.
Rank #3
- Banda sonora original de Final Fantasy VII
- Compositor: Nobuo Uematsu
Fair use is not an automatic exemption for gaming streams
In the United States, fair use is a case-specific legal analysis involving the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the work, the amount used, and the effect on the work’s market. Courts decide fair use; YouTube says its Content ID system cannot. A short clip, credit to the artist, disclaimer, or entertainment purpose does not automatically clear music. Other countries have different exceptions and fair-dealing rules, so do not assume a U.S. analysis applies everywhere.
YouTube describes permission, qualifying copyright exceptions, public-domain material, Creative Commons terms, and music from YouTube Audio Library or Creator Music as possible routes for using content, while cautioning that none guarantees avoiding a claim or strike. Importantly, YouTube’s Creator Music usage terms say revenue-sharing tracks cannot be used in live streams; do not rely on those tracks to clear a livestream or rerun. Check the specific track terms and YouTube’s copyright guidance.
Rank #4
- Import Game - Japanese Version
- Compatible with US systems (region free)
- Japanese language (other languages may be included)
- Manual and packaging in Japanese language
Check a track before rerunning the stream
- Identify what is playing. Record the exact game and track, and determine whether the music is an original score or a separately licensed popular song.
- Check the publisher’s current terms. Look for rules covering streaming, archived videos, and monetization. A policy allowing gameplay does not necessarily grant rights to separate music in the game.
- Verify the music license separately. Confirm it covers livestreaming and replay, your intended monetization, the relevant territories, and your channel. If the rights owner uses Content ID, ask whether your channel can be allowlisted.
- Choose what to do if rights are unclear. Mute or remove the music from the replay, replace it with music whose terms expressly cover your use, or do not publish the replay. YouTube’s help guidance describes removing or replacing claimed music, including with suitable Audio Library tracks.
- Handle a claim on its merits. A Content ID claim is a platform rights-management action, not a court decision on fair use. Dispute only if you have a defensible rights or exception basis; YouTube’s process does not decide the legal merits.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you have cleared the video and want a YouTube rerun to stay live without leaving a computer on at home, StreamNeo plays uploaded videos from the cloud. Upload the recording, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month. Cloud hosting does not grant music rights or prevent copyright claims, so clear the recording first. Start your free StreamNeo day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Content ID claim prove that a gaming rerun is illegal?
No. A claim is YouTube’s rights-management action, not a court ruling. Whether the use is lawful depends on the rights and applicable law.
Best Value
Does turning off game music always clear a replay?
It removes that music from consideration, but other third-party content in the stream may still raise rights issues.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
