Artwork rules?

[Vhailor]

Hello all,
I would like to add an artwork to my profile. I would like to embellish my profile.
It is an ingame screenshot which I merged from 2 pics to one. A picture which is shown in the ingame but only in parts.

But if I would upload my artwork, steam tells me" to accept that this artwork is made by me"

Now my question is: may I upload a modified screenshot as an artwork? Or do I then violate the steam terms? Is a modified screenshot as an artwork regarded, too?

Is a screenshot from a game allowed to be displayed for public at all? Or get I then problems with the developer of the respective game?

Ty ahead for the answers

[MoonC A T]

Make your own artwork. That's why there is an artwork showcase and a screenshot showcase.

95% of the people that click on the "I made it myself" button...didn't make it themselves.

I make all of my artwork 100% on my own and I cringe when I see ripped art, etc.

A modified screenshot is not art imo.

[Zekiran]

Screenshots are screenshots. Artwork is meant to be for your own handiwork.

As MoonCat suggests though, most people just slap whatever they've got from Google images and it's kinda sad.

I would personally make sure that any Artwork based on in-game screens is super artistic. (<- guilty of at least one, my fallout 'art', which is indeed a cropped screenie...)

[MoonC A T]

If you mustt, I suggest taking your screenshot and using www.lunapic.com to add artistic effects to it. It often comes out quite nice.

Upload your image, then go to art >example art and play around with it.

[Vhailor]

Ok it is about 2 pictures combined to one. =(Artwork?). I mean cropped and merged doesn't differ much. I would like upload it only for me, so that my profile looks more beautiful. But the condition to do so I must change my artwork to public status.

[Vhailor]

Hmm ok ty I try your site MoonCAT. But is this than allowed?

[MoonC A T]

Screenshots are kinda that gray area. While the intellectual property to the game is not owned by you, one can argue that each shot is unique. Posting a screenshot anywhere but the screenshot section is iffy...but you could do much worse.

As Zekiran said...make sure it's a good one or why even bother, lol.

Correct, you cannot feature a screenshot in your profile that is not at least friends only. It cannot be private/hidden

edit: imo a modified screenshot with effects does qualify as artwork...but that's just my opinion others may disagree.

steam's definition is somewhat amibiguous https://store.steampowered.com/online_conduct/

[Zekiran]

Yeah I think the effort of doing *something* counts, honestly. Removing UI elements manually, getting a panoramic shot, vignetting, adding text and adjusting colors, those I personally qualify.

[AustrAlien2010]

I guess it has to be made by your own hand (or feet, and whatever body part moved to make it), and any sort of (automatically) copied work would be prohibited.
Even thought that would disqualify 99.9% of all artworks...
But it's impossible! Because even on paper, you'd still be using paper that someone else made.


I guess we'll have to use our own hides, and draw on it with our own blood.
While we draw our inspiration from whatever thing that does not exist, that we draw our inspiration from. We also need to grow our own food. To get the energy to make it. And we need to make our own lightsource, to make the food grow.

It's absurdly impossible. Whatever you do, it's against the subscriber agreement. I doubt they ever thought this one through.

I've been able to put things in every section, except the artwork section. It's impossible.


"Did you made this?" No, of course I did not made this, I used whatever things and ideas I could find, someone else left there. I hope you don't mind I put them together?

[Jaunitta 🌸]

I used a screenshot from a game Witcher3 to create mine but its a showcase item never had a problem as I made it anyway. I think its depends on how you publish it.
Community content is full of it, all images artwork animations , gifs created from screenshots of games and posted up using the proceedure.

[Vhailor]

I would like to have an official opinion of steam. Can I found an official statement somewhere?

[MoonC A T]

At least you care, unlike all the other people that just rip off other people.

[AustrAlien2010]

The same could be said by a developer if you paid money for both games you want to use the screenshots to copy/paste content from. I think OP's idea is really cool, especially if you can use some of the artwork in a guide or something like that. Like, when you create a bestiary from it or something? Like, pictures of adversaries and their life, damage, names, or attack patterns. Or map? With tips on where to find things. You need to have those image files stored somewhere, right?
And you're not doing it sneaky, if you just do it in plain sight, and not on another website, and when you are obvious about it's purpose, and have no other agenda then achieving that meant purpose.

If you remember to create an URL you took the content from in your comment section, that somehow leads others to that game, I don't think you are doing much wrong here. Especially if you own that game, and use it for an honourable purpose that benefits all.

But that's also an opinion. Someone nagging may still freak out over it.

Maybe do whatever you think is best. If there is a problem, then you will probably be notified about it first, before getting in trouble.
Or you put an example in the thread of the thing, before you commit fully, so it be discussed further.

I think every developer may have it´s own ideas about it. And what you may, and may not do with it. As far as I know, Valve encourages you to use their assets, from their games. Not sure about every other developer. Some assets may be licensed, for example.



Long story short: I don´t know. Just don´t cause any damage. If things are okay, you should know right from wrong. That´s what I think. And being a little bit wrong, isn´t much different then being a little bit right. It´s the excesses that are a problem.
This question annoys me too. Because I asked this as well some time ago, it got discussed for an eternity, and I didn´t got my final answer either. And then later, it was discussed again, to no avail.
And now you are here, discussing it too.


I have never read anyone complaining a screenshot was removed as artwork. Except for unrelated reasons. So that´s that.

[Vhailor]

Originally posted by AustrAlien2010:

The same could be said by a developer if you paid money for both games you want to use the screenshots to copy/paste content from. I think OP's idea is really cool, especially if you can use some of the artwork in a guide or something like that. Like, when you create a bestiary from it or something? Like, pictures of adversaries and their life, damage, names, or attack patterns. Or map? With tips on where to find things. You need to have those image files stored somewhere, right?
And you're not doing it sneaky, if you just do it in plain sight, and not on another website, and when you are obvious about it's purpose, and have no other agenda then achieving that meant purpose.

If you remember to create an URL you took the content from in your comment section, that somehow leads others to that game, I don't think you are doing much wrong here. Especially if you own that game, and use it for an honourable purpose that benefits all.

But that's also an opinion. Someone nagging may still freak out over it.

Maybe do whatever you think is best. If there is a problem, then you will probably be notified about it first, before getting in trouble.
Or you put an example in the thread of the thing, before you commit fully, so it be discussed further.

I think every developer may have it´s own ideas about it. And what you may, and may not do with it. As far as I know, Valve encourages you to use their assets, from their games. Not sure about every other developer. Some assets may be licensed, for example.



Long story short: I don´t know. Just don´t cause any damage. If things are okay, you should know right from wrong. That´s what I think. And being a little bit wrong, isn´t much different then being a little bit right. It´s the excesses that are a problem.
This question annoys me too. Because I asked this as well some time ago, it got discussed for an eternity, and I didn´t got my final answer either. And then later, it was discussed again, to no avail.
And now you are here, discussing it too.


I have never read anyone complaining a screenshot was removed as artwork. Except for unrelated reasons. So that´s that.

Ty for your statements. I have contacted the support and wait for an official answer

[Vhailor]

Hello all,

after a lot of conversations with the DMCA of Steam I didn't get a satisfied answer:

I wrote to DMCA of Steam:

To whom it may concern

the steam support referred me to you regarding my question.

I would like to upload screenshots and artworks but I do not know if uploading a screenshot or an artwork is a copyright violation.

The support tells me it should be fine, as long as it doesn't violate any rule of Steam.


DMCA wrote:

Hello,


We can’t give you permission to use someone else’s content; only the owner has that right. It sounds like you already know that there may be an issue with the content in question, so the best bet is to contact the owner directly and get their consent.

Steam’s official stance is listed in our Online Conduct rules: https://store.steampowered.com/online_conduct/, and in our Subscriber agreement https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/.


I wrote to DMCA of Steam:

Hello,

I think you have misunderstood me. I already know this Online Conduct rules but I can't really see there, is it unprohibited or not. I don't know, if uploading is in general unprohibited. I will be only on the safe side because it is the first time that I will be uploading a game screenshot or an artwork on my steam profil for the public.

Steam offers the possibility to upload screenshots and artworks for the public. And I would know if I can get in danger if I upload there screenshots or artworks of games which I have played?

I mean many steam user, use this upload function without to know if this is really unprohibited!

I would know, if steam takes the responsibility for its upload function. In the case a licence holder will complain about it and will therefore debt me? Have I a risk?

Do you mean I should write all developers for an permission to upload screenshots of their games?. I don't think that many steam users ask for permission to do so.

How is that to be regarded, are then, the most steam users copyright infringer, if they use this function on steam to upload screenshots and artworks?

How can then, steam offers this function if they are only tolerated from the developers and you can never be safe, that you don't get debt for uploading on steam?

Perhaps, you can give me an example how the developers normally see that. Get I first, in the case, a warning or get I a debt immediately, if I have erroneously violated the copyright of any licence holder?
Or let steam use users its upload function in the manner of "where no indictment no judge".

I hope I could write my ask understandable.

I am pleased to hear your answer and ty for you effort.


DMCA of Steam wrote:


Hello again,



We can only provide you with our guidelines; for legal advice you should speak with an attorney. Again, we encourage you to work within our terms of services and use your best judgement. We cannot provide you with authorization for use of someone else’s content.

Take some time to view your account; you will see tabs for content, such as workshop items, artwork, and screenshots. This is for all account users to showcase their own screenshots, workshop items, artwork, etc.



All the best,

DMCA


I wrote:

I think, because of "New Year" my last e-mail got under.


Hello, thank you for your quick reply,

You wrote:

"Take some time to view your account; you will see tabs for content, such as workshop items, artwork, and screenshots"
"This is for all account users to showcase their own screenshots, workshop items, artwork, etc."

I do not understand what are my own screenshots? If I make an ingame screenshot while playing, it is then my own screenshot? Or are there, then any copyrights of a developer?

Your wrote:

"We cannot provide you with authorization for use of someone else’s content." Question: is an ingame screenshot someone elses's content?

I mean, that was what I meant the whole time: May I take screenshots ingame and showcase them on my steam profile?

Or please, could you give me an example for an own screenshot. How do I do this if not ingame of a game which I have played?

Sorry, for my previously misleading e-mails. I hope you understand now my real question.

I would prefer an final statement because many steam users are unsafe in this case and wait for an solution to this question. Please, tell me what can I finally tell them?


DMCA of Steam wrote:


We’ve given you all the answers we’re able to give on this subject. Please refer to Steam’s Subscriber Agreement and Online Conduct for any further direction on rules in Steam.

You may also reach out to Support for any further questions.



-DMCA




The summary of all this conversation is: if you wan't on the safe side for showing on steam screenshots to the public try to get the permission of the copyright holder.

So I'm going to write to the respective developers.

Perhaps, if developers read this post they can in the future, write in the respective game foren in steam, if they give their permission to uploading screenshots and artworks of their games?


bb and sorry for the long text and the complex formatting. I do not yet fully understand the steam formatting possibilities.

[Blue]

Originally posted by Vhailor:

...Now my question is: may I upload a modified screenshot as an artwork?...

This only counts if it is a screenshot from your own property (own created content, own painted pictures, etc. you have to be the person who originally created the stuff that is shown in the pictures.
Thats why the thing you have to press first says "is my own artwork")

Originally posted by Vhailor:

...Or do I then violate the steam terms?...

Because of the button yes.. but further more you are violating copyrights if you have not the permission of the owner! (even game content is protected and you can also read a lot in the EULA of each game that says or says not something about visual and audio content!)

Originally posted by Vhailor:

....Is a screenshot from a game allowed to be displayed for public at all?...

In form of a Screenshot yes,.. also again.. Game's-EULA ;). The Artwork-Showcase is not for that. Its for your own stuff only!

Originally posted by Vhailor:

...Or get I then problems with the developer of the respective game?...

Can happen if you upload them into the Artwork-Showcase and the owner doesnt like that.


With all that in mind.. even with permission you basicly should not upload other peoples stuff on steam (cause of the thing you have to sign that clearly says "its my own stuff").