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GTA 5 YouTube policy outlined: machinima okay, spoilers not

Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive has outlined its policies regarding user videos of Grand Theft Auto 5, if you're keen to avoid a takedown notice.

In a Rockstar Support update, the twin publisher said it "generally" does not object to non-commercial use of materials, as long as it doesn't contain spoilers.

The following uses, however, will result in takedown notices:

  • Pre-Release Footage: No pre-release leaked footage of any kind: Any posting of in-game footage from leaked copies of the game prior to its official release date will be taken down, regardless of how the game was obtained. This includes "early unboxing" videos.
  • Spoilers: Posting video showing the ending of the game, pure cutscenes or any other big reveal in the story. It's ok to show cutscenes as part of a larger play-through (or in a narrated ‘Let’s Play’ type video) but isolated videos of the game's cinematics will be removed. If you are unsure if what you want to post is considered a spoiler, please contact copyright@take2games.com and describe exactly what scene you are wondering about and in what context the scene would appear.
  • In-game Entertainment: Things like the TV shows and comedy performances in Grand Theft Auto IV, or the silent movies in Red Dead Redemption. We prefer fans to experience these in the context of the game's world, so any posting of these in isolation will be flagged for removal.

Additionally, Take-Two does reserve the right to remove content it "finds objectionable on a case by case basis", to change its policies at any time, and to have its copyrighted material taken down at any time.

Available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Grand Theft Auto 5 had a midnight launch in Australia overnight, has arrived in Europe, and is out in the UK very shortly. North America still has a few hours to wait.

Thanks, Polygon.

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