I want my game to have really good audio rather than (anime punch sfx 3) that so many of these games have. So I’m considering forking over serious cash into an audio library.
However I’m not sure if it’s strictly allowed on roblox: By purchasing the libraries I’m getting the license to use the audio for myself rather than for the roblox platform as a whole, and as far as I’m aware there is no way to prevent random people from using audio files that were strictly licensed to YOU.
Not to mention that audio being uploaded on a site in the first place means that the license is possibly void.
You’re buying a license on behalf of a corporation at that point, and redistributing the audio in a way that could lead to unlawful use, and possible legal issues between the license holder and roblox.
Is there some kind of clause I’m not aware of? Would roblox take down my audio, even if I bought a license to use them? If so, any good free audio repository? I really want my game to sound memorable.
That’s a good question, I’m sure it’s been asked before by others who have been in the same situation. What I do know is that if you conceal your inventory and don’t make the audio assets available to “get” that is the most important thing. Yes some people may still be able to find and use the audio but it makes it easier for roblox to add a setting to block use like this.
I think it we were to look at the copyright system as a whole, (I am not a lawyer or Roblox staff member, this is not legal advice) the general concensus is that Roblox assumes you have permission to use said asset (unless they were previously contacted by the owner to remove it from Roblox). Thus, they would delete the asset or punish users only if Roblox received a copyright complaint or DMCA takedown notice.
As for whether or not your license will be valid, that is a good question and if you are really concerned and have the ability to you might consider:
Working with a copyright lawyer
Contacting the copyright owner
Contacting Roblox developer relations
If the audio is not being used widespread by anyone other than you the main concern would be that you’re giving Roblox use of the asset so if the license allows you to use another medium to host the asset you’re probably okay.
With all this in mind
I’m not a lawyer or expert on this topic
Generally speaking you’re probably fine, based on the license details and precident.
They handle things by assuming you have the rights to the asset and generally only take it down if they receive a complaint.
P.S.
I may be doing something similar in the future and the best option is likely to contact the copyright holder if you’re really worried.