Can I Use Hollow Knight Music? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, with crucial caveats. The short answer is that you can use Hollow Knight music in certain contexts, specifically for non-commercial purposes like gameplay videos, reviews, and streams, thanks to a free license granted by Team Cherry, the game’s developers. However, this license doesn’t extend to all types of use, particularly commercial ones such as using the music in independent projects unrelated to Hollow Knight or directly selling the music, so understanding the nuances of copyright is vital. Let’s break down the specifics of how you can and can’t use the game’s evocative soundtrack.
Understanding Team Cherry’s License
Team Cherry has explicitly stated that they “love it when you do” use their game in content creation. Specifically, they have provided a free license to game owners and press to use Hollow Knight in the creation and publishing (or streaming) of original media content such as:
- Reviews: Including background music in your written or video reviews.
- Gameplay Videos: Using the soundtrack as background music in your playthroughs.
- Let’s Plays: Featuring the music as part of your streaming or recorded gaming sessions.
This license is incredibly generous and allows content creators to enrich their work with the rich, atmospheric soundscapes of Hallownest, as long as their content revolves around the game itself.
However, note the following:
- This license is specific to content related to Hollow Knight. You cannot use the music in unrelated commercial projects without explicit permission.
- The license applies to game owners. You cannot use the music in your own projects without first owning a legitimate copy of the game.
- This does not grant rights to create new derivative works of the music. Remixing, rearranging or creating variations of the tracks is not permitted without obtaining further permission from the copyright owner.
Copyright and Music Usage
It’s important to understand the broader context of copyright law when using music. Copyright law grants creators exclusive rights over their work, including the right to copy, distribute, and create new works. This applies to music, where these rights protect the composition (melody and harmony) and the master recording (the specific recording you hear).
The music in Hollow Knight is the work of composer Christopher Larkin. Therefore, Team Cherry does not solely control all aspects of its usage. They may have obtained specific rights from the composer to grant the license that they did.
Key Copyright Facts:
- There’s no “30-second rule.” Using even a small portion of a copyrighted song without permission constitutes infringement under U.S. law.
- Giving credit is not enough. Attributing the music to its creator does not grant you the legal right to use it. It is not a substitute for permission.
- Public domain does not apply to Hollow Knight. As the game and soundtrack are relatively recent, the music is not considered public domain.
What is Public Domain?
Public domain refers to works that are not protected by copyright law and can be used without permission. In general, published works enter the public domain about 70 years after the author dies. So, only much older works can be used without copyright restrictions, and this does not apply to any music in Hollow Knight.
Commercial Use
The free license granted by Team Cherry specifically relates to the usage of Hollow Knight’s assets within content directly related to the game itself. If you wish to use the Hollow Knight soundtrack in any commercial way, you must obtain direct permission from the copyright holders, which could include Christopher Larkin, his music publisher or both. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Commercial products: Using the music in commercials, apps, or other products.
- Independent films or animations: Integrating the music in non-Hollow Knight projects.
- Selling the music: Distributing or reselling copies of the soundtrack, or derivative works of it.
How to Secure Permission
If your intended use falls outside of Team Cherry’s granted license, you must seek permission from the music’s copyright owner. To do this, you would typically:
- Identify the copyright owner: This is usually Christopher Larkin and potentially his publisher.
- Contact the owner (or publisher) directly: Reach out with a clear request detailing how you intend to use the music and request the appropriate licensing. This may include mechanical licensing and synchronization rights.
- Negotiate terms and pay licensing fees: You will likely need to pay a fee for the right to use the music, and this fee will vary based on the specifics of your project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the usage of Hollow Knight music:
Can I stream Hollow Knight gameplay with the game’s music?
Yes, you can stream Hollow Knight with its music included, thanks to Team Cherry’s license for gameplay videos and streams. This is explicitly allowed and a wonderful way to showcase the game.
Can I use Hollow Knight music in a video I’m monetizing on YouTube?
Yes, as long as the video is a Let’s Play, review, or some form of original media content about Hollow Knight, you are generally allowed to monetize the video. Team Cherry permits the usage of their game in original media content, including monetization of videos on YouTube. However, this license does not permit the use of the music on other content unrelated to the game, and you would still require specific permission for those cases.
Can I use the music in a short film or animation I’m making?
No, you generally cannot use the music in an unrelated short film or animation without specific permission from the copyright owner. The Team Cherry license is for content directly related to Hollow Knight.
Is the Hollow Knight soundtrack royalty-free?
No, the Hollow Knight soundtrack is not royalty-free. It is copyrighted material. A royalty-free license simply means you pay a one-time fee to use the music. This is not the case for Hollow Knight music unless you have obtained such a specific license from the copyright holders.
Can I cover Hollow Knight songs and post them online?
Generally, yes, but with the need for further licenses. Cover songs usually require a mechanical license to be performed publicly. Contact the appropriate rights organisations to obtain the required permission. However, note that the original recording rights still belong to the copyright holder and are not conveyed with the right to create a cover version.
Is the music from Hollow Knight on Spotify?
Yes, the Hollow Knight (Original Soundtrack) is available on Spotify and other music streaming services.
Is it illegal to hum or whistle a Hollow Knight song in a video?
Yes, even humming or whistling a copyrighted song, if in a public performance, constitutes a performance and requires a license. This is true even if the humming or whistling is not perfect or exactly the same as the original recording.
What type of music is featured in Hollow Knight?
The Hollow Knight soundtrack is a beautifully orchestral and atmospheric experience. It features a mix of piano, strings, and other orchestral instruments, moving from soft, melancholic themes to dramatic and intense pieces.
Is there a difference between using the Hollow Knight soundtrack and remixing it?
Yes, using the original soundtrack in content about Hollow Knight is generally permitted, but remixing, rearranging, or altering the music requires additional permissions from the copyright owners.
Who composed the music for Hollow Knight?
The music for Hollow Knight was composed by Christopher Larkin.
How many tracks are in the Hollow Knight soundtrack?
The original Hollow Knight soundtrack features 26 tracks of original music.
What is “Hollow Knight: Gods & Nightmares”? Is that just music?
Hollow Knight: Gods & Nightmares is DLC that offers orchestral arrangements of the game’s existing music, meaning it contains new variations of tracks you know and love. It is primarily a music DLC with no in-game content changes.
Can I legally use 30 seconds of a Hollow Knight song?
No, there is no “30-second rule”. Any use of copyrighted material without permission can be an infringement, no matter how short the snippet may be.
Can I use Hollow Knight music if I give credit to the artist?
Giving credit to Christopher Larkin is the right thing to do, but it doesn’t replace the need for a license if your intended use is outside of the permitted free license for game related content.
Is it ok if I monetize a video with Hollow Knight music if I give credit?
While crediting the composer is the ethical and respectful thing to do, it is not sufficient to legally use the music. The free license does permit the monetization of game related content, but this is specifically for that context. If your intended use is outside the free license granted by Team Cherry, even with credit, you may still be infringing copyright.