What's the legality (US law here) of ripping/listening to video game music?

[Planr]

So I want to be able to listen to the music of Star Trek Online whenever I want (like one does when they buy a CD for something), but the problem is that there are no CDs or online copies of the music for the game sold. However, I already own a copy of Star Trek Online (from back when it was still pay-to-play) and I still have it now in its free-to-play state.

So, taking all that into account, and the fact that I want to be able to listen to the music wherever, anyone know what the legality is (US law in question here) of listening to music from the files of a video game I bought? I want to be able to legally listen to it without breaking copyright/piracy laws. Do I have to officially buy the music (even if nobody makes or sells the music separately from the game)? Or is it okay if I rip it from the game's audio files and import it into my iTunes library.

This is an example of the music I want to rip from my game files to listen to offline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnQ-LV--cw0&index=10&list=PLD6EF2849B7D30E5F

Just wondering.

[Ad Bot]

[Køtt]

you mean those "high quality rips" things? or is this something completely different?

[Planr]

you mean those "high quality rips" things?

No, I mean like is it illegal under US law to rip the music files straight from the game directory on my computer (I already own the game) and listen to them on my iPod.

[Foxscotch]

not technically legal. but nobody cares. it's literally not worth the money someone would spend trying to sue you over it. you'll be fine

[AutoBahn]

Considering some games sell the soundtrack as DLC, it's probably illegal to rip it.

[Køtt]

No, I mean like is it illegal under US law to rip the music files straight from the game and listen to them on my iPod.

well as long as you're not selling it or claiming that it is yours then it's completely fine on my end. i don't know of the legality though, do you need to pay for star trek songs in music platforms or something? or is it free? in the end, no one really cares as long as it's personal and private.

not technically legal. but nobody cares. it's literally not worth the money someone would spend trying to sue you over it. you'll be fine

yeah i'm leaning to this.

[McJob]

Ripping for private use is fine, distribution is not. I rip custom soundtracks from every game I enjoy. In many cases it's a tedious, slow process due to the amount of audio files involved to process, but the end result usually gives me specific melodies you can't find anywhere else.

Considering some games sell the soundtrack as DLC, it's probably illegal to rip it.

The OSTs they sell you are not the same files as in the game's asset packages, and in many cases are remixed at a higher rate. It's similar content but they're separate products.

[hillkill]

if companies don't hunt down people for pirating their games, i think you're fine with music.

[Planr]

Ripping for private use is fine, distribution is not.

Not trying to be pecky or anything, but taking into account that you're from australia, did you actually find that out from reading US law on the subject, and can you show me where it says that in federal US law. Or is that what you know is the law in australia.

[Foxscotch]

why do you care about the law dude? literally nothing will happen to you if you do it
to be pedantic, no it's not really legal, even if it's just for personal use. reproduction is copyright infringement, and copying it to a CD/usb drive/phone/whatever is definitely reproducing it. the only exception is for like archiving and backups, but that is obviously not what we're talking about here

but again it really doesn't matter, just do it if you want to. if you're really worried about it and they don't sell the soundtrack, just email the publisher and ask them if you can put it on your phone. they probably won't give a stuff

[Mega-Bear]

It's absolutely legal if the soundtrack is not otherwise available for sale. You own the original media, so this falls under fair use. actually this has never been explicitly stated to be protected by fair use, but that's cause nobody wants to go over court for this knowing it will end up protected by fair use.

[Anthony Fuckstick]

Not trying to be pecky or anything, but taking into account that you're from australia, did you actually find that out from reading US law on the subject, and can you show me where it says that in federal US law. Or is that what you know is the law in australia.

how different could the laws be regarding pirating music

[Mega-Bear]

why do you care about the law dude? literally nothing will happen to you if you do it
to be pedantic, no it's not really legal, even if it's just for personal use. reproduction is copyright infringement, and copying it to a CD/usb drive/phone/whatever is definitely reproducing it. the only exception is for like archiving and backups, but that is obviously not what we're talking about here

I agree with this, if you paid for the game then I don't see an ethical issue here. If it's a free game you might make a donation-- but this is the only instance I can see ripping music being justifiably illegal, so consider that. Otherwise you're just denying yourself music for no reason.... don't cuck yourself Planr be like Captain Kirk. Enter the coliseum and slay the lizard alien.

[ArmyUnit]

If it's a game you payed for (such as in this case technically), shouldn't you therefore own a copy of the music contained within? Of course it's illegal to redistribute it, but copying it for personal use is totally legal as far as I know.

Edit: also thanks for linking that playlist. I forgot how nice some of the STO music was aaa

[Drydess]

so long as you don't distribute it nobody should care