Monetization of YouTube videos featuring content that is otherwise compliant with the Community Use Policy

[Jerett Schaufele]

I'm pretty sure that I know the answer to this question, but I thought I would ask it anyway just to be sure...

If you have a YouTube channel that is monetized (or that you have applied for monetization), is it permitted under the Community Use Policy to upload a video that contains content that is otherwise compliant with Paizo's Community Use Policy? For example, could you do a review of a Paizo product while only showing cover art that is listed in the CUP, a video of you and your friends playing a home-brew module set in the Pathfinder Campaign Setting, or show original Pathfinder-compatible content that is free to download on a personal website?

Sorry if this has been asked before guys.

[Vic Wertz]

Wow... sorry I missed this question!

As long as you're not charging for content and are otherwise abiding by the terms of the CUP, it’s okay to collect advertising revenue—or even donations—to cover the costs of making your project available. But if you were to collect revenue over and above those costs, we’d consider you a commercial publisher, and the Community Use Policy would no longer be available to you. (Note that those costs cannot include your own time: if you're paying yourself, that's a job, and that would make you a commercial publisher.)

[Feylin]

Ok, to clarify. Ad revenue is only ok based on it being enough to cover equipment but once you pass a point it stops. Then you change categories and are no longer okay?

[Vic Wertz]

Not just equipment—you can cover other costs, like services you might need to use, or other resources that go directly into making the project available. But you can't make a take-home profit.

[Decimus]

Vic Wertz wrote:

Wow... sorry I missed this question!

As long as you're not charging for content and are otherwise abiding by the terms of the CUP, it’s okay to collect advertising revenue—or even donations—to cover the costs of making your project available. But if you were to collect revenue over and above those costs, we’d consider you a commercial publisher, and the Community Use Policy would no longer be available to you. (Note that those costs cannot include your own time: if you're paying yourself, that's a job, and that would make you a commercial publisher.)

New to streaming and want to follow the rules–  

Assuming money earned is going to production costs. Does this policy include twitch subscriptions? or just donations and ad revenue earned during a stream?

Also, will it work to have the notice below posted in one of the panels below the stream?

"This stream uses trademarks and/or copyrights owned by Paizo Inc., which are used under Paizo's Community Use Policy. We are expressly prohibited from charging you to use or access this content. This stream is not published, endorsed, or specifically approved by Paizo Inc. For more information about Paizo's Community Use Policy, please visit paizo.com/communityuse. For more information about Paizo Inc. and Paizo products, please visit paizo.com."

Thanks!

[Zapp]

Maybe a stupid question, but - ad revenue is just ad revenue, right?

I mean, noone can know what each dollar is used for, right?

So what the answer is saying is that ad revenue is alright for a project, full stop, no ifs, no buts.

I mean, if the policy only applies to a certain point ($100, $50000, whatever) how do anyone get insight in a) how much ad revenue is collected - isn't this a private deal between Google and the uplaoder? and b) how the uploader decides to spend his or her own cash?

Alternatively, you are talking about operating on an honor system. But if so, I completely missed it.

Sincerely Confused,

[Noven]

I find this troubling, like how people think streamers should pay companies to play their product on the streaming platforms.

When I stream video games or Starfinder games, I am not selling the product. I am selling myself/group using a product much like an unboxing video or a Let's Play. It is transformative from the original product.

[VestOfHolding]

That two year old answer does seem to be slightly different than the modern changes to the CUP that were updated to include more specific language for streaming and VTT use, though I'm not sure. I suppose if this thread is being necro'd, then clarifying whether or not the previous answer still applies may be warranted.

[CrystalSeas]

Current Community Use Policy wrote:

Your project must be free. You’re free to use Paizo Intellectual Property (our IP) in your Community Use project provided that your project is accessible by everyone for free.

Free doesn’t just mean free from payment, it also means free from hassle. You can’t require survey completions, gate access behind downloads of unrelated products, require opting in to email lists (unless the entirety of your project is only available in email form), or other unnecessary annoyances as a requirement to access your project. You can’t lock your content behind a paywall of any sort.
You are allowed to accept donations on platforms like Patreon and to generate advertising revenue via YouTube, Twitch, and web ads.
You are allowed to have paid sponsorship of your content as long as that sponsor is clearly identified to your audience.

Community Use Policy available from the top menu

Community > Community Use

The previous answer has been superseded by the current policy.

[Noven]

Woops, didn't see the date lol. My bad =)