Is Undertale Music Copyrighted? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, Undertale's music is copyrighted, meaning it's legally protected under intellectual property law.

Toby Fox, the creator and composer of the game's entire soundtrack, holds the rights to the music. Materia Music Publishing serves as the administrator (manages the legal use and payments for copyrighted content) of those rights.

This means that all official tracks from the game are subject to copyright, and unauthorized use without proper permissions can lead to copyright infringement​.

Understanding copyright and usage rights of Undertale's music

When it comes to copyrighted music like in Undertale, permission must generally be sought if you intend to use the music in a way that could generate revenue or involve commercial use.

For instance, using the music in monetized YouTube videos, advertisements, or commercial fan projects would require obtaining a license from Materia Music Publishing.

They not only manage the rights but also monitor the use of music across platforms such as YouTube.

Non-commercial use of Undertale's music

There is some flexibility if you're simply creating non-commercial content (like a personal fan video or a gameplay stream where you're not making money).

According to Materia Music Publishing, non-commercial use of Undertale's music is often allowed, but you must still credit Toby Fox and acknowledge Materia as the copyright administrator​.

However, even in these cases, users might encounter automatic copyright claims through YouTube's Content ID system.

These claims typically don't result in strikes against the creator but help track the usage of the music for crediting purposes.

Creators should also note that while these claims don't affect their channel, failure to attribute the creator properly could lead to a takedown​.

Using Undertale music in monetized content

If you plan to monetize videos or create a commercial project using Undertale music, getting the appropriate permissions is crucial.

Materia Collective currently doesn't offer revenue-sharing agreements for user-generated content, so monetizing videos with Undertale music without permission may lead to demonetization or the removal of the video.

To use the music legally, you must seek specific licenses or permission from Materia for any commercial ventures​.

Remixes, covers, and fan projects

Remixes or cover versions of Undertale music fall into a gray area of copyright law.

While remixes can sometimes be classified as "transformative works" under fair use, this isn't guaranteed.

It's important to remember that even remixes and cover artists still rely on the original composition, which is copyrighted.

Materia Music Publishing also tracks these uses, and cover songs often require proper licensing, even if they offer a new interpretation of the original track​.

Protect what's yours with Copyrightable by Trademarkia

Just like Toby Fox secured the rights to Undertale's iconic soundtrack, creators need to protect their work through copyright.

Whether you're developing music, artwork, or any form of intellectual property, having legal protection ensures your work remains yours and can't be used without permission.

With Copyrightable by Trademarkia, you can easily protect your creations, just as Undertale's music is safeguarded.

Trademarkia simplifies the copyright registration process, helping you maintain control over your creative work and ensuring proper compensation whenever it's used.