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Download support for beatmaps inside osu!

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This is a feature request. Feature requests can be voted up by supporters.
Current Priority: +0
peppy
19,316 posts
Here since the beginning
Topic Starter
peppy
One of the first features I wanted to implement was having a list of beatmaps available for download in-game, and creating a basic download manager where you could queue a number of songs. I am still quite eager to implement this, but the only the holding me back is the legal implications. At the moment, the not-so-legal audio content is located on private forums, and not linked directly to the game application. If I was to add this function, osu! would suddenly become a client with the ability of downloading a growing collection of music.

What are your thoughts on this? I'd love to see this functionality in the game as it would make keeping up with beatmaps a lot easier (albeit destroying some aspect of the forum community maybe?), but will this backfire? Have I already crossed that line where it doesn't matter any more? Have any other music simulators had issues with copyright?

Opinions please!
Echo
osu! Alumni
3,008 posts
Here since the beginning
Echo
If you implement this, you're essentially turning Osu! into a program that allows people to download (mostly) illegally copied songs. You could easily get in serious trouble, whereas if you just make the hosting site, you can only get snapped for "encouraging distribution of illegal material".

That's what I think anyway. I'm not too familiar with copyright laws.
eyup
osu! Alumni
549 posts
Here since the beginning
eyup
Big fat no, for all the reasons you and Echo have mentioned regarding distribution of mp3s.
Gilrad
111 posts
Here since the beginning
Gilrad
Maybe you should ask yourself this: Would you rather run the risk of having the project shut down, or would you run the risk of having the project shut down, ridiculously large fines being slapped at you, expensive court battles, and possibly other life-affecting events?

The community shouldn't matter in this decision; you're the one who would take the heat if somebody decides that Osu! = Kazaa.
peppy
19,316 posts
Here since the beginning
Topic Starter
peppy

Gilrad wrote:

Maybe you should ask yourself this: Would you rather run the risk of having the project shut down, or would you run the risk of having the project shut down, ridiculously large fines being slapped at you, expensive court battles, and possibly other life-affecting events?
I'm guessing it would be more of a project shutdown vs site or server shutdown, but I'm not so knowledgeable about the legal side of these things :P. Anyways, don't take my first post as me being for or against adding this functionality - I have just been asked this question at least 10 times (and again on IRC today) so I wanted to see what people have to say, and also make my view on this issue public.
LuigiHann
Resident Skinner
4,432 posts
Here since the beginning
LuigiHann
One thing you might consider is having the mp3's either encrypted, converted into a format only Osu can play, or streamed. Not a perfect solution, but it might help.
EiJi
osu! Alumni
647 posts
Here since the beginning
EiJi
I agree with Luigi. In-game distribution using the current system is a huge no-no. Even with some sort of encryption, I don't think that would make it legal. Any 10 yr old could just open up Windows' Sound Recorder and record any song.

I can't think of any solution for this. Even right now with the upload server, I'd say there is a risk.
Fraeon
osu! Alumni
164 posts
Here since the beginning
Fraeon
Yeah, the current state of this game (and site) is already treading highly dangerous waters in terms of copyright. Then again, we have projects like Stepmania and Frets on Fire doing almost exactly the same stuff, so I don't know. But like Echo said, you'd basically be turning Osu! into a program that allows people to download illegal songs.

So, no.
LuigiHann
Resident Skinner
4,432 posts
Here since the beginning
LuigiHann
One other thing that comes to mind, is that not all songs are necessarily illegal. Perhaps you could set up a separate server for in-game downloads, but have those be limited to beatmaps of songs by independent bands from which we've gotten permission. In this digital age, that's probably not as difficult as it sounds...
[deleted user]
[deleted user]

Fraeon wrote:

Then again, we have projects like Stepmania and Frets on Fire doing almost exactly the same stuff, so I don't know.
SM and FoF don't bundle songs or allow you to download them directly, at least not ones that they don't have permission to.

Peppy, don't do it. Leave the program separate from the songs.
peppy
19,316 posts
Here since the beginning
Topic Starter
peppy
Exactly the response i hoped for :).

Now I can redirect people who ask for this feature here instead of telling them why it isn't already implemented.

Thanks for your responses guys - I'm going to close this thread and let it fall down into the depths of this forum now.
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