As a benefit under our Game Content and Brand Usage Rules, Drillimation permits music tracks from our games to be used in videos posted to social media and video-sharing platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch.
Please note: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek independent legal counsel if you require formal assistance.
This guide answers frequently asked questions about using Drillimation music in online video content and outlines steps to resolve Content ID claims or copyright takedown notices on YouTube and other platforms.
Drillimation complies with Team Shanghai Alice’s IP usage rules regarding the arrangements written for the Touhou Project NES Demakes. If you receive a Content ID claim or copyright takedown notice from Rightsscale, the entity that administers music rights for the official Touhou Project soundtracks and global fan arrangements, this article will guide you through the resolution process.
Introduction
So, you’re working on your latest video and looking for the perfect soundtrack. You love that stage or boss theme from your favorite Drillimation Danmaku Universe game and want to use it. Before you add it to your project, you must first consult our Game Content and Brand Usage Rules. Whether your production is a small passion project or a major creation, specific music rights must be cleared for use:
- Synchronization Rights: This covers pairing the underlying composition with visual media. Sync rights are granted directly under the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules.
- Master Rights: This covers the specific recorded version of the song that you hear in-game or on digital storefronts and streaming services. Master rights are not included under the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules.
- Mechanical Rights: These are required if you plan to duplicate your production or create cover versions. These rights are granted provided that your production complies with our synchronization requirements.
- Performing Rights: These are required if your production will be broadcast on television or hosted on online video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Twitch. These rights are always granted to YouTube creators and Twitch streamers.
General Questions
What rights do I get under the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules?
Under our Game Content and Brand Usage Rules, Drillimation game music is licensed strictly for synchronization rights (pairing the music with your video content). Please note that master rights are not included under these rules. Drillimation Systems retains full copyright ownership of the original audio recordings. If you require use of the master recordings outside of standard video synchronization, you must obtain a separate license.
What kinds of applications can the music be used in?
Under our Game Content and Brand Usage Rules, you are permitted to use Drillimation music in online, non-commercial video content and livestreams. This includes gameplay videos, playthroughs, reviews, and creative fan productions (such as song covers) hosted on video-sharing and social media platforms.
However, a formal commercial synchronization license is required if you plan to use the music in any of the following professional applications:
- Standalone audio distribution across major streaming platforms
- Feature films or independent films
- Television broadcasts or streaming series (excluding local news broadcasts)
- Commercials, advertisements, or paid promotional campaigns
Note on broadcasting: Drillimation Systems is not affiliated with any public Performing Rights Organization (PRO), such as ASCAP, BMI, or PRS. Consequently, you do not need to file a formal cue sheet with a PRO for our proprietary soundtracks. Instead, any applicable broadcasting or commercial performance fees are paid directly to Drillimation Systems under a separate custom license.
Can I use the music on my website?
You may feature Drillimation music on your personal website, provided that the music is synchronized with visual content (such as an embedded gameplay video, review, or creative fan project) and complies with our Game Content and Brand Usage Rules.
However, you cannot host standalone audio files for stream or download on your website. If you wish to direct your audience to the music itself, please link to our official Bandcamp album pages instead.
Do I have to pay if the music will be used in a production that will be broadcast on radio or television?
Broadcasting Drillimation music on television or radio falls outside the scope of our standard Game Content and Brand Usage Rules. Because these guidelines only cover non-commercial online video sync rights, a formal commercial license is required for traditional broadcast media.
Because Drillimation Systems is not affiliated with public Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS, you must contact us directly to negotiate and purchase a custom upfront synchronization and performance license. To arrange a custom license, please reach out to us via our Contact page.
Can I use the music in my fangame?
Your ability to use Drillimation music in a fangame depends entirely on compliance with our synchronization requirements and the specific type of audio asset you wish to use:
- Cover Versions: Creating and featuring your own cover versions of Drillimation tracks is fully permitted and covered under our standard Game Content and Brand Usage Rules, provided your game aligns with our synchronization guidelines.
- Original/Master Recordings: Drillimation’s standard rules do not cover the use of our original audio recordings (master rights) in interactive software. If Drillimation grants you explicit permission to use our master recordings, you must ensure the audio files are securely embedded directly into your game’s code and are completely inaccessible for end users to browse or download as standalone files.
- Unsynchronized or Downloadable Content: If your fangame allows users to download or access music assets in an unsynchronized format, you must contact Drillimation directly to secure supplemental authorization. Please note that a licensing fee may apply.
To arrange supplemental authorization or inquire about licensing master rights for your game, please reach out to us through our Contact page.
Can the music be used in toys, sampling chips, or games other than a video game?
Physical consumer products, hardware components, and non-video game merchandise fall entirely outside the scope of our standard Game Content and Brand Usage Rules. Any integration of Drillimation music into commercial physical products requires a dedicated, premium licensing agreement. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Interactive toys and plushies
- Audio sampling chips and hardware sound modules
- Physical board games or tabletop games with electronic audio components
- Novelty consumer goods (such as musical greeting cards)
These applications are subject to specialized commercial licensing fees and royalty structures. If you are a manufacturer or product developer interested in utilizing our music for a commercial product, please contact us directly through our Contact page to discuss custom licensing options.
Can I use the samples featured in the master recordings of the tracks in my own music?
Drillimation cannot grant you permission to use or extract individual audio samples from our master recordings for your own music productions.
All soundtracks in the Drillimation Danmaku Universe utilize virtual instruments and sound libraries purchased from third-party commercial vendors. Under the End-User License Agreements (EULAs) of those vendors, Drillimation is granted a license to use these samples only when they are fully synchronized with our own musical compositions. We do not own the standalone distribution or sublicensing rights to the individual sound samples themselves, meaning they cannot be extracted, sampled, or repurposed for external musical works.
If you wish to use those specific sounds, you must obtain the appropriate sound libraries or software instruments directly from their original creators. Please note that many of the samples used are decades old and may be out of print, discontinued, or no longer legally purchasable from the original vendors. As stated above, Drillimation is still unable to redistribute or sublicense these samples. If a library has been discontinued, you may need to check secondary markets, consider software alternatives, or contact the original vendor directly to see if they offer legacy access.
Can the music be used for live theatre productions?
Drillimation music may be used in live theatre productions under our standard Game Content and Brand Usage Rules, provided that no admission fees are charged for the performance. This non-commercial application meets our criteria for synchronization.
If your production qualifies, you are permitted to:
- Create a cued playback tape, CD, or digital playlist containing the specific audio tracks needed for your production cues.
- Trigger direct audio cues using the original files from our official master recordings.
Important note: If your theatre production charges admission, sells tickets, or operates as a commercial venture, this is considered a commercial public performance. In these cases, our standard guidelines do not apply, and you must secure a separate commercial performance and synchronization license by contacting us directly through our Contact page.
Am I allowed to use Drillimation Music in my videos and/or livestreams?
Under the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules, you are allowed to use music composed by Drillimation Systems in any video content or livestreams you produce. Please note they are licensed only with their synchronization rights and performing rights are not included. Despite this, you are still allowed to participate in programs that can let you earn revenue from ads you display.
For the Touhou Project NES Demakes soundtracks, Team Shanghai Alice still owns the rights to the original songs, and your use of these songs are also subject to TSA’s IP usage rules. Rightsscale may only allow the music to be used in gameplay videos or as covers of existing songs.
Keep in mind you must obtain a commercial synchronization license if you plan to use the music in a film, TV show (excluding news broadcasts), commercial, or series. You also have to file a cue sheet with your local performing rights society so that they can pay the revenue to either Drillimation or Rightsscale.
Can I post videos of Drillimation gameplay on social media that contain the music?
You are allowed to post gameplay videos containing the music on social media, given that you comply with the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules. Drillimation does not endorse any specific video platform.
Can I monetize videos of Drillimation gameplay that contain the music on YouTube and Twitch?
You are allowed to post your Drillimation gameplay videos to YouTube and Twitch, and participate in programs that can allow you to earn revenue from ads you display either as pre-roll ads, ad breaks, or sponsor ad overlays. You may also generate revenue through the solicitation of personal donations or by offering subscription-based or paid transactional video content. Please note YouTube and Twitch both have their own rules about generating revenue using certain copyrighted material as rights ownership can be complicated and rightsholders’ policies vary.
My video got a Content ID claim. How did that happen!?
Drillimation Systems does not actively participate in YouTube’s automated Content ID program to monitor uploads or claim videos matching our original audio catalog. However, copyright claims can still occur under a few specific circumstances:
- Touhou Project NES Demakes: The music for our Touhou Project demakes consists of arrangements based on original compositions owned by Team Shanghai Alice. Rights for these soundtracks are globally administered by Rightsscale. If your video features music from these demakes, Rightsscale’s automated system may issue a claim to track or monetize the audio in accordance with Team Shanghai Alice’s guidelines.
- Automated matching errors: Automated copyright systems sometimes misidentify audio assets, flagging completely compliant videos in error.
- Third-party claims: Some tracks in our games use sound effects or open-source audio elements that may be managed by third-party music labels or publishers, occasionally triggering an automated match.
If your video fully complies with our Game Content and Brand Usage Rules and you believe the claim was made in error, you do not need to panic. Please contact us directly via our Contact page with a link to the affected video and your contact information.
Our rights management team will review your inquiry and help initiate the process to clear the notice wherever possible. Please note that for Touhou Project tracks claimed by Rightsscale, our ability to intervene may be limited, and you may need to follow the official platform dispute process outlined below.
How do I resolve copyright issues on YouTube?
If your video complies with our licensing guidelines and you receive a Content ID claim or copyright notice from Drillimation Systems or another authorized partner, you can submit a dispute or file a counter-notice directly through YouTube Studio.
- Go to the Copyright section in YouTube Studio and select the affected video. Ensure the claim was explicitly issued by Drillimation or an authorized music partner. If the claim is from an unrelated third party, Content ID may have misidentified the audio, or the music is managed by a different entity entirely.
- If you verify the claim is from Drillimation or an authorized music partner, click Actions and select Dispute.
- Check the box stating: “My dispute isn’t based on any of the reasons above. I would still like to dispute this Content ID claim.” Click Continue.
- Choose License as your eligibility reason.
- Check the box that says “I have permission to use the content from the copyright owner.”
- Copy and paste the appropriate statement below into the rationale box based on your project:
- If you used Drillimation music in a gameplay video: “This video was created under Drillimation’s Game Content and Brand Usage Rules located at https://drillimation.com/game-content-and-brand-usage-rules/ . Under these rules, this song is allowed to be used in Drillimation gameplay videos.”
- If you used Drillimation music as the basis for a cover: “This video was created under Drillimation’s Game Content and Brand Usage Rules located at https://drillimation.com/game-content-and-brand-usage-rules/. Under these rules, this song is permitted to be used as the basis for creative fan covers.”
- Check all remaining confirmation boxes to verify you are acting in good faith.
- Enter your full legal name (do not use your channel alias or pseudonym).
- Click Submit to route the dispute to our rights management team.
Important Limitations: Please note that while we review legitimate creator disputes promptly, Drillimation Systems cannot directly manage or reverse automated takedown requests on third-party social media platforms. There is no absolute guarantee that a dispute will be successful, and complex claims may require navigating YouTube’s formal appeal or counter-notification processes.
I got a claim for a song I didn’t even use in my video. What should I do?
If you receive a copyright claim for a track that is not present in your video, you are likely experiencing a misidentified claim. This usually happens for one of two reasons:
- Melodic similarities: A song in a game’s soundtrack may feature a chord progression, tempo, or melody similar to an existing copyrighted work, triggering an automated false positive.
- Shared sound effects: Some Drillimation games utilize open-source sound effects (such as assets sourced from Freesound). If another creator or music publisher has used those same sound effects in a commercially distributed song, automated Content ID systems may mistake the sound effect in your video for their music track.
You should absolutely dispute the claim through YouTube Studio. When filing your dispute, explicitly state that your video does not contain the claimed audio and that the automated system has misidentified a game sound effect or background track. Once the claiming label or publisher manually reviews the audio and confirms it is a false match, they will release the claim.
The following is a list of known assets within our catalog that may occasionally trigger automated misidentification claims:
| Game | Affected asset(s) |
|---|---|
| Touhou 2: The Story of Eastern Wonderland NES Demake | Stage 4 theme or its associated boss theme |
| Touhou Meijinka ~ Song of Divine Tempest | Intro ambience |
Why do livestreams and VODs of games receive claims?
When you livestream gameplay or archive a Video on Demand (VOD), copyright claims typically occur because automated content tracking systems treat live broadcasting differently than standard, pre-recorded video synchronization.
This usually happens in one of two scenarios:
- Unsynchronized Audio Polices: Because livestreams are real-time broadcasts, some rights management systems interpret the broadcasted soundtrack as an “unsynchronized public performance” rather than standard video sync usage.
- Background Audio Capture: If music plays in the background of your physical environment while you stream, automated systems may pick it up and issue a claim on behalf of the record label or publisher that owns it.
If you receive a claim on a stream or VOD featuring Drillimation music, many labels and publishers understand that live creators require flexibility not covered by standard, rigid licensing templates.
If the automated claim came from a third-party entity (or if you require absolute legal protection for complex commercial broadcasts), a custom license can be arranged. Drillimation’s rights team has the experience to make custom streaming authorizations a streamlined process that won’t interfere with your content creation timeline.
If you need a custom license or need assistance addressing a stream claim, please reach out to us directly through our Contact page to discuss options and pricing. Please note, however, that certain third-party administrative rights may not be available for supplemental licensing.
What can I not do with Drillimation’s music?
While we encourage you to share your passion for the Drillimation Danmaku Universe through audiovisual content, the standalone distribution of our musical compositions and sound recordings is not permitted. To ensure your content aligns with the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules must be synchronized with an accompanying visual presentation, such as active gameplay, commentary, or reviews.
- Uploading raw soundtracks, BGM loops, sound effects, or extended audio tracks without substantial, active visual engagement is outside the scope of the Rules.
- These synchronization rules apply universally. If you use a cover version of a song, or if a character is singing or performing part of a song in the background, it must still adhere to the synchronization rules.
Are there alternatives to using music from the games?
If your content cannot meet synchronization requirements, or if you want to avoid copyright conflicts entirely, you have two alternatives:
- You can hire another creator or composer to craft a custom soundtrack for your video. Ensure your agreement explicitly includes both the master and sync rights. Crucially, remind the composer to keep the composition entirely original to prevent accidental copyright conflicts with existing tracks.
- Using production music is the most cost-effective and legally secure option. Many production music libraries offer tracks in the exact same genres and stylistic tones as our own music. Best of all, these platforms allow you to clear the master and sync rights simultaneously under a single license.
Regarding Remixes
Are remixes (for example, piano, ambient, and transposed versions) covered under the Game Content and Brand Usage Rules?
Yes, most fan-made remixes and arrangements such as piano, ambient, or transposed versions are covered under our standard Game Content and Brand Usage Rules and are permitted for monetization in online videos.
However, if you wish to formally distribute your cover track as a standalone music release outside of a video synchronization context, please note the following licensing requirements:
- Notice of Intent: While these statutory licenses operate by law meaning Drillimation cannot normally reject your request, you must ensure your distributing entity issues the formal legal notification of intent and manages the necessary mechanical royalty distributions to Drillimation Systems.
- Compulsory/Statutory Cover Licenses: To legally release a standalone cover version of a Drillimation track on major streaming platforms, you are required to secure a compulsory mechanical license through your distributor (such as DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby) or an agency like Harry Fox Agency.
Am I allowed to use a motif from a Drillimation song in my own piece of music and then upload it to major distributors/aggregators such as DistroKid, CDBaby, or TuneCore?
Drillimation Systems cannot grant general permission for the use of our proprietary musical motifs, melodies, or chord progressions in external musical works distributed for commercial sale or streaming. Because utilizing a distinct melodic motif or signature chord progression from our soundtracks constitutes a derivative work, uploading such a track to digital aggregators (like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore) without explicit permission violates our copyright.
We can only grant exceptions for this specific application under extraordinary circumstances. If you believe your project qualifies or you wish to inquire about obtaining a special, custom license for a derivative work, please contact Drillimation Systems directly through our Contact page to submit your proposal.
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