Ah, I see you want to use the music I have (already*) made for something you are making. I'm down for almost anything, but we should establish some rules to make sure this doesn't result in anything going wrong.
*Want music from me that doesn't exist yet? You're thinking of a commission. I can also help with that.
So, basically, I ask four questions before I determine whether your usage of my music is fair game.
QUESTION ONE: Which of my works are you using?
QUESTION TWO: What do you want to use my music for?
QUESTION THREE: Does your project involve any questionable content?
QUESTION FOUR: Do you plan to profit off of my work?
Also one more thing: credit. Any time you use my work, you are required to give credit. Please DO NOT go around featuring my music in your project without telling people that it's my music. Any method that puts the information in plain sight from the audience's perspective will work, but here are a few ideas on how to approach it:
QUESTION ONE: Which of my works are you using?
- I ask this because for my collaboration tracks and my remixes, I am not the only copyright holder. In those cases, while I am generally cool with you using those works, you will be held responsible for securing the permission of all other artists involved.
- For example (collaboration edition), in the case of NUCLEAR FUSION, please make sure Daniel Van Eden is okay with what you are planning to do.
- For example (remix edition), with my remix of Aurora, check in with Synthion.
- Only after you have made sure all involved parties are cool with your plans should you move on to question two. Karl Kim / Karl with a K is not responsible for any legal issues caused by any client's failure to secure ALL necessary permissions.
- For my non-collaboration original music, however, most likely I will be the only copyright holder. Again, I'm generally cool, so...yeah, just proceed to question two.
- For projects I worked on but NOT as a composer/arranger/remixer: do not proceed further. I do not hold the copyright for those, and thus I am the wrong person to request permission from. Generally, you'll want to ask whoever does hold the copyright, usually those credited as composer, arranger, and/or remixer.
QUESTION TWO: What do you want to use my music for?
- What I am cool with (proceed to question three should your usage fall under here):
- Anything that supplements another creator's work, including but probably not limited to:
- Film/animation/TV
- Video games
- Livestreaming/gameplay videos/other Youtube/Twitch/etc. content
- Rhythm game charts (fanmade or official)
- Dance choreographies
- DJ sets
- Remixes
- HOLD UP THOUGH! We should make that what you are doing counts as a remix.
- These, for the purposes of this usage policy, do NOT count as remixes, but rather as reuploads (see below regarding reuploads):
- "Nightcore remixes" where basically all the "remixer" does is speed up the audio
- Slapping on a few additional sound effects on top of the original audio
- [insert length of time] extensions
- These DO count:
- Covers
- Re-arrangements
- Generally if it involves deconstruction and creative reconstruction of the musical elements of my work, I'll count it as a remix
- Any educational use (you go get that A!)
- Anything else considered fair use by USA law
- Anything that supplements another creator's work, including but probably not limited to:
- What I am NOT cool with:
- Unauthorized reuploads of any kind. Basically, assume these are a no-go unless I say otherwise.
- Any project where you do not plan to credit me (see bottom of this page)
QUESTION THREE: Does your project involve any questionable content?
- This can take the form of the following:
- Any NSFW content
- Rather extremist political content
- Hate speech/discrimination
- Pretty much anything illegal
- Anything that violates any relevant TOS
- If there is such content, I will have to say no, sorry.
- Otherwise, proceed to question four.
QUESTION FOUR: Do you plan to profit off of my work?
- If it's non-profit, Automatic green light, but keep in mind of the information below in case that part of the plan doesn't go as planned.
- For rhythm game charts: most fanmade charts should fall under this category. Official charts for non-profit rhythm games (ex. vivid/stasis) will also be considered non-profit.
- If it isn't non-profit: it's not an automatic no, but PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE PROCEEDING TO USE MY MUSIC! The general rule is: if you make money off of something that incorporates my creative output, I should be getting some of that money. If you are using one of my collab works or remixes, my collab partner(s) or the original artist (respectively) should also get a cut of the profits. Basically, we're talking about a license deal here. Let me know your plans, we'll try to work out an agreement that everyone involved can be happy with, and if we can come to such an agreement, only then may you proceed to use my music in your project.
- For rhythm game charts: official charts for commercial games fall under this category.
Also one more thing: credit. Any time you use my work, you are required to give credit. Please DO NOT go around featuring my music in your project without telling people that it's my music. Any method that puts the information in plain sight from the audience's perspective will work, but here are a few ideas on how to approach it:
- Film/animation/TV/video game: put my name in the end credits
- Youtube content: in the description (in this case, I would also love if you could include links to my Twitter, Spotify profile, Soundcloud, Youtube, etc.)
- Rhythm game charts: there should be an artist field in the simfile where my name can go