Paying Royalties - I want to create characters using the engine, render still images, and use them in a movie pitch deck. If the movie sells, do I need to pay royalties?

Development Character & Animation
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1

Hi!

I’m an independent filmmaker and I wanted to use UE to create characters, render still images, and use them in a powerpoint presentation to pitch the movie. If the movie sells, would I have to pay royalties?

Workflow:

  1. Create Characters in UE
  2. Export still images
  3. Use them in a pitch deck
  4. Sell the movie ( which would be shot with real actors, no animations or CGI using UE )

Questions:

  1. Do I have the right to use those images in the presentation?
  2. Do I have to pay royalties if the movie sells?
  3. Would I have any sort of liability, debt, or obligation in regards to UE for having used those images in the movie pitch deck?

Thanks!

2

I’m not staff, so this is just my opinion, but you’re making money using the engine. That’s sounds like a royalty situation to me.

Mind you, it will take a while to reach your first mil…

3
  1. Yes! Still images are classified as “Non-Engine Products” under the EULA. And you have broad rights to distribute them.
  2. No! Revenue generated from Non-Engine Products is exempt from royalty.
  3. I think that question is too broad and touches on legal issues in a way that Epic is not able to answer.