We at RhythmVerse take the work of content creators very seriously. That includes commercial content. For this reason we have compiled a very detailed and, we believe, consistent policy to govern content indexed by us. RhythmVerse does not host content; we only index files offered from other sources. But even though we do not host content, we still intend to show only content created by independent authors.

To that end, we do not publicly index, nor do we allow content creators to publicly offer through RhythmVerse any gameplay-specific content that is commercially available within the same platform. “Gameplay-specific commercial content” (GCC) means any content sold or otherwise commercially offered that is not intended to be distributed by other means. Examples of GCC include:

Any file using GCC must not be indexed nor offered publically through RhythmVerse. For some GCC, the system will autodetect and block it from indexing when uploaded. We also reserve the right to manually pull any indexed files with GCC that was not autodetected.

Files with GCC are allowed to be indexed privately, so content creators can still build their own private collections if they so wish. For example, a song that includes an original note chart but also includes audio stems pulled from a commercially released file can still be uploaded for private use. Only the content creator that uploaded a file with GCC will be able to download that file later.

The reason we don’t make available links to content including GCC is that we don’t want legitimate copyright holders of gameplay content to miss opportunities to monetize their efforts. We also don’t want to drive away content creators to platforms with less strict copyright content rules so that legitimate copyright holders end up losing revenue. Wa want the RhythmVerse to be an overall positive for everyone and that means some balancing. For that reason, we don’t allow, with any exception (unless copyright holders allow it or other policies come into effect, like expired content), sharing and indexing of custom content for a certain game that uses GCC from the same game.

An example would be a song available as DLC for Rock Band 3 shared, in part or in its entirety, as a custom to play in Rock Band 3, because this is within the same platform. We do allow, in turn, uploading and indexing of custom Rock Band 3 content based on Guitar Hero 3 content: those are different platforms and the assumption is that players are not failing to buy Guitar Hero 3 just because some content is available for an entirely different game.

However, “platform” is by conscious decision a loose term that can include games using the same engine by the same developer/publisher. For example, Green Day: Rock Band content will not be indexed if used in custom Rock Band 3 content. On the other hand, The Beatles: Rock Band could be considered within the same platform as Rock Band 3, so judgment calls must be made.

Because we are committed to a consistent and transparent process, judgment calls will be publicly explained and will be used as basis for future decisions of the same kind. The logic behind these decisions will always be: protection of copyright holders balancing by not indexing copyrighted content but also keeping as much content and authors as possible on RhythmVerse, where a strict and consistent policy is being applied. Put it another way: it would make no sense to strictly refuse grey-area content that eventually ends up elsewhere and becomes part of offerings with less or no protection for copyright holders.

Games not commercially sold anymore are still protected by copyright so nothing changes in terms of indexing and uploading untouched content. However, if players can’t buy a game anymore, that condition will play a role in determining whether intra-platform releases can happen. For example, files for a game that hasn’t been sold in years could be used to create customs for a game within the same platform.