As you have probably noticed, this service follows
the Prosumer model. VoiSona provides the tools, Konami provides the singing data, you pay a fee to VoiSona to purchase one of the products. You do work becoming a song writer/music composer, you are not an employee of any of the companies mentioned. You sell your song to make money.
Pretend that you decide to make songs from this service to make money. Let's go to the project page from the LAUGH DiAMOND website:
https://www.konami.com/games/vp/project/
Here's the system requirements (Edge machine translated):
VoiSona System Requirements
- Supported OS: Windows 11 / Windows 10 (64bit Japanese or English) macOS 10.13（High Sierra）〜14（Sonoma）
- CPU：Apple silicon / Intel / AMD dual-core processor or higher
*4 cores or more recommended
* If the processing performance is low, sound skipping may occur during playback. (File output is fine.) )
- Memory: 4GB or more *8GB or more recommended
- HDD：At least 1GB of free space for installation
- Graphic: 1280 x 720 or better Full color
- DAW：DAW software compatible with VSTi or Audio Units
- Other: Internet connection required for installation and use
On that page is their product selection, I've selected one of the products:
https://voisona.com/song/artist/kazamatsuri-asahi_ja_JP/
It takes me to the VoiSona website, it shows the profile of the song voice library "Kazamatsuri Asahi" (CV: Serina Kumazawa）
(Edge machine translated):
Language: Japanese
Recommended for vocal range: G3 to E5
Recommended tempo: 70-200 BPM
Kazamatsuri Asahi has a very natural singing voice that matches her personality and her age.
She is the only member in LAUGH DiAMOND that sings without a vibrato, making her voice stand out within the unit.
This also works to strengthen her impression of a modern girl with a warm, energetic voice that is trying her very best.
Up-tempo J-POP, rock, and Vocaloid songs are her specialty.
A characteristic point of LAUGH DiAMOND is that creating unit songs comprised of multiple singers, such as duets and trios are made simple.
Each voice retains its uniqueness and blends into a beautiful unison.
Ver1.x series can be tuned to sing like traditional Vocal Synthesizers, while Ver2.x series can be tuned in coordination with the latest AI technology, resulting in a more natural, human-like voice.
That's supposed to give you, the song writer/music composer songs to make that would fit well with this product. You scroll down to purchase the license, you'll be prompted to create an account if you don't already have one.
We already know the prices for each product:
One-time purchase -- ¥13,200 (including tax)
Or a subscription service for each product:
Annual subscription -- ¥6,600 (including tax)
Monthly subscription -- ¥880 (including tax)
So, if you wanted to make a duet with two of the members of LAUGH DiAMOND, you would have to pay for two products which means that people with a budget might choose a subscription for each product.
You've purchased the song voice libraries, how do you make the songs? You look at the manual from the VoiSona website that shows you how things work:
https://voisona.com/song/manual/
Before on the product page, there was a section that mentioned guidelines for the product, here's the link to it:
https://voisona.com/static/pdf/en/kazamatsuri-asahi_guidelines.pdf
Let's have a read of the guidelines for this product.
Introduction:
These guidelines provide guidance for those who wish to enjoy secondary creation using “Kazamatsuri Asahi” (a character planned and managed by Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.), which is included in VoiSona developed by Techno-Speech, Inc. (“Company”).
We hope that you will enjoy your creative activities using “Kazamatsuri Asahi” after reading these guidelines.
Rules for Voice Use (Kazamatsuri Asahi Voice Guideline):
When using voice waveforms output from VoiSona’s “Kazamatsuri Asahi” Voice Library, list “Kazamatsuri Asahi” in the credits as the name of the character used.
* Please refer to “Rules for Character Use” below when crediting “Kazamatsuri Asahi”
* Please refer to “VoiSona Terms of Use” for rules on the use of voice waveforms. (You can use the voice waveforms output from VoiSona’s Voice Libraries for commercial or non-commercial use, individual or corporate use, free of charge and without the Company’s permission. However, there are some exceptions, such as the incorporation of Voice Libraries into other musical instruments, which is prohibited.)
* It may be possible to use voice soundwaves output from “Kazamatsuri Asahi” Voice Library without credit by obtaining a separate agreement from Techno-Speech, Inc. and Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Note what is worded there in the parentheses, we'll go into more detail when looking at the VoiSona Terms of Use.
Rules for Character Use:
See the following rules for secondary creation using the character of “Kazamatsuri Asahi” (name, settings, visuals, etc.).
https://www.konami.com/games/vp/guideline/
Prohibitions:
Refrain from using the character in the following expressions or contents.
- Content that violates public order and standards of decency or that is antisocial;
- Content biased toward a particular ideology, creed, religion, or political belief
- Content that infringes on the honor or dignity of a third party, or that infringes on the rights of a third party.
- Content that could be misunderstood or misinterpreted as official content planned by the Company or Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.;
- Content that seriously damages the image of the Company, its products, or its characters;
- Content that seriously damages the image of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., its products, or its characters;
- Any other content that the Company or Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. deems inappropriate.
This is probably the most important section I want to highlight for later.
Others:
These guidelines are subject to change without notice. The Company is not liable for any damages resulting from the changes. Please check this page as needed and use the “Kazamatsuri Asahi” voice and character within the scope set forth in the latest guidelines.
Let's now take a look at the VoiSona Terms of Use:
https://voisona.com/static/pdf/en/terms.pdf
Highlighting key definitions from Article 1:
1. Definitions
⑴ “Company” means Techno-Speech, Inc.
⑵ “Service” means the software or service(s) named “VoiSona” (including updated, upgraded and modified versions) provided by the Company.
⑶ “Terms” means the “VoiSona Terms of Use,” which sets forth the provisions Users must comply with in order to use the Service.
⑷ “User” means an individual or a legal entity who, in order to use the Service, registered as a User in accordance with the provisions in Article 4, after agreeing that the Terms shall apply to the use of the Service.
⑸ “ID, etc.” means the email address and password set by the User as the login ID during User registration.
⑹ “Original Rights Holder” means the party who grants license of intellectual property rights, etc., to the Company.
⑺ “Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and the User regarding the use of the Service, Voice Libraries, and Synthesized Voices.
⑻ “Subscription Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and the User during the Subscription Period for use of Additional Voice Libraries and Additional Functions.
⑼ “Activation” means the procedures prescribed by the Company to confirm and authenticate the validity of the User’s right of use based on the Terms.
⑽ “Voice Libraries” mean statistical model data and related parameters for creating Synthetic Voices on the Service.
⑾ “Default Voice Library” means the Voice Library that can be used for free.
⑿ “Additional Voice Library” means a Voice Library that can be used by paying a fixed price in advance as set forth by the Company in the fee schedule.
⒀ “Additional Function” means a function that can be added to the Service by paying a fixed price in advance as set forth by the Company in the fee schedule.
⒁ “Subscription Period” means the period of use of each Additional Function or Additional Library as set forth by the Company in the fee schedule.
⒂ “Synthesized Voice” means any audio output generated by using the Service and a Voice Library.
⒃ “Voice Guidelines” means the terms of use for Synthesized Voices set forth for each Voice Library, separate from the Terms.
⒄ “Intellectual Property Rights” means copyrights, patents, utility model rights, trademarks, design rights and other intellectual property rights (including the right to acquire or apply for registration, etc., of these rights).
Article 6, Ownership of Rights:
6. Ownership of Rights
All Intellectual Property Rights and other rights of the Service, Voice Libraries, and documents associated with the Service belong to the Company or the Original Rights Holder.
Article 7, License:
7. License
１ The Company shall grant the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and non-sublicensable license to install the software provided by the Service, the right to use the Service, and the right to use the Default Voice Library on the Service, on the PC., etc., managed by the User during the Agreement’s term of validity, on the condition that the User complies with the Terms, Voice Guidelines, and other laws and regulations.
２ The Company grants the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and non-sublicensable license to use Additional Functions and Additional Voice Libraries during the Subscription Period, on the condition that the User complies with the Terms, Voice Guidelines, and other laws and regulations.
３ ⑴ The Company grants the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and non-sublicensable license to use Synthesized Voices obtained by using the Service for commercial or non-commercial purposes, on the condition that the User complies with the Terms, Voice Guidelines, and other laws and regulations. In such a case, the fee for the Synthesized Voice in the Default Voice Library shall be free. For the Synthesized Voices in the Additional Voice Libraries, the fees shall be included in the Additional Voice Libraries fees.
(Examples)
- Using a part of a Synthesized Voice (including cut-ups and vocal chops of the Synthesized Voice) in the distribution of created music, sales of CDs of created music, and inclusion of created music in video games;
- Using a part of a Synthesized Voice (including cut-ups and vocal chops of the Synthesized Voice) in the distribution of created video, sales of video, and inclusion of created video in video games;
- Contracting of work for vocal track production for music and video works.
⑵ Regardless of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if User uses a Synthesized Voice itself in the manner set forth in a. through c. below, they must get prior consent from the Company, regardless of whether the use is for-profit or non-profit or commercial or non-commercial. If the User uses a Synthesized Voice itself in the manner set forth in a. through c. below without prior consent from the Company, the Company may cancel User registration in accordance with Article 15, or demand that the User cease such use.
a. Acts that assign or provide to a third party for a fee or free of charge electronic device, PC software, smartphone application, web service, etc., that incorporates a Synthesized Voice converted into stock content as a sound source;
b. Acts that assign or provide a Synthesized Voice converted into stock content to a third party for a fee or free of charge;
c. Any other use of Synthesized Voices converted into stock content.
(Examples that require prior consent)
- Sales of musical instruments such as samplers that include Synthesized Voices;
- Sales of a Synthesized Voice as sound source material;
- Inclusion of Synthesized Voices in karaoke machine or similar equipment.
⑶ The Company does not grant the User, for deep learning, machine learning, fragment splicing, or any other voice synthesis or voice quality conversion techniques (no matter the method or technique), permission to use Synthesized Voices as training data or as fragment data to generate artificial voice or carry out voice quality conversion, or to create programs that make it possible to generate artificial voice or carry out voice quality conversion.
４ ⑴ The User shall not acquire any rights other than the rights granted under the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, and shall affirm that all or some of the rights belonging to the Company or Original Rights Holder concerning the Service, Voice Libraries, artists, and characters may not be transferred to the User by any permission.
⑵ If the User seeks to use rights belonging to the Company or the Original Rights Holder other than the rights granted under the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, they shall affirm that they may be required to pay separate usage fees as set forth in the terms of usage charges to the Company or Original Rights Holder owning the rights.
That License section is important because it tells you what you as the User can do with the service. If you read what was in paragraph 3, line 2, then it will explain to you those exceptions you read before from the "Rules for Voice Use (Kazamatsuri Asahi Voice Guideline)".
Article 13, Prohibitions:
13. Prohibitions
The User is prohibited from engaging in any of the following acts, or any act that be applicable to the following acts, or any act that may encourage any of these acts when using the Service:
⑴ Acts that use a Synthesized Voice to include criminal, antisocial, or unethical content, or acts that publish or distribute such content using a Synthesized Voice;
⑵ Acts that use a Synthesized Voice to include content that violates laws and regulations or public order and standards of decency, or acts that publish or distribute such content using a Synthesized Voice;
⑶ Acts of using a Synthesized Voice for military purposes, or acts that publish or distribute such content using a Synthesized Voice;
⑷ Acts of using a Synthesized Voice in a manner that infringes on the honor, reputation, or other personal rights of the voice actor of the Voice Library, or acts that that publish or distribute such content using a Synthesized Voice;
⑸ Acts that violate the Terms or Voice Guidelines;
⑹ Acts that violate laws and regulations or public order and standards of decency;
⑺ Criminal or illegal acts;
⑻ Acts that infringe on the Intellectual Property Rights, portrait rights, privacy rights, reputation, credibility, or other rights or interests of a third party (including the Company, Original Rights Holder and other users of the Service (hereinafter “Other Users”));
⑼ Acts that discriminate against or defame a third party;
⑽ Acts that cause disadvantage, damage, or discomfort to a third party;
⑾ Acts that assign, sell, or rent the Software provided by the Service to a third party for a fee or free of charge;
⑿ Acts that assign products incorporating the Service to a third party for a fee or free of charge;
⒀ Acts that provide services incorporating the Service to a third party for a fee or free of charge;
⒁ Acts that allow a third party to use the Service;
⒂ Acts that assign or lend ID, etc. to a third party;
⒃ Acts that, for deep learning, machine learning, fragment splicing, or any other voice synthesis or voice quality conversion techniques (no matter the method or technique), use Synthesized Voices as training data or as fragment data to generate artificial voice or carry out voice quality conversion, or create programs that make it possible to generate artificial voice or carry out voice quality conversion;
⒄ Acts of using a Synthesized Voice as sound source materials for commercial or non-commercial purposes, or acts of assigning such sound source materials to a third party for a fee or free of charge, without obtaining the Company’s permission in advance;
⒅ Acts that place excessive load on the Service’s servers, etc.
⒆ Acts of decoding the source code of the Service, such as by reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling, etc., or acts of extracting data without authorization from the Service;
⒇ Acts that may interfere with the provision of the Service;
(21) Acts of using the login IDs or passwords of Other Users of the Service;
(22) Other acts that Company deems inappropriate and has notified the User to that effect.
There's 24 Articles in the Terms of Use but these are the ones I'll highlight.
Here are the guidelines from Konami on the LAUGH DiAMOND website:
https://www.konami.com/games/vp/guideline/
Moving on, the point of showing the guidelines and terms of use especially with regards to what you are allowed to make and what you are not allowed to make is because of something else that I wanted to reference.
There was a post I made in another thread talking about "Web3 gaming from the perspective of the industry", link:
https://www.installbaseforum.com/fo...try-part-2-the-asset-economy.2243/post-226575
And that post was talking about a podcast that had Serkan Toto (CEO of Kantan Games) talking about the features of Web3 Gaming, the relevant part is from 23:51 of the video
timestamped here.
I transcribed what was said in that post I made, here's the transcription again:
At 23:51 of the podcast video, Toto says:
I forgot to mention one big selling point to your earlier question about the features of web3 gaming and that's decentralization. So, in theory, in the end the users take over the game from the game developer right if you look at the video game space, mobile game space, PC game space nowadays, these games are extremely centralized. You know, if you look at Minecraft for example, you can model the game, you can have your own server and you can have all of these things. But still, Microsoft the actual owner of the game still has the thumb on the game right, so they can turn off turn you off immediately if you're doing things that they don't like. So, the idea of a blockchain game is making it interoperable interoperability with other games for example also you can take your NFT from one game and if it's inside the same platform for example you can use it in another game. One of the companies that I angel-invested in recently is doing that right, so they have a platform, they have totally different games but you can take your character from one game and as an NFT and put it in a totally different game inside the same platform and the idea is that over time the original game developer that you always need even in web3 gaming so there always has to be some somebody that starts the game a company usually gives up their control, their ownership of the game over time right so and then the gamers who own the game now like completely decentralized in the theoretical world can do whatever they want with the game right, so they can change the UI, they can the change the look of the characters, they could change the direction of the story, etc. That is extremely powerful, and you can only do this with the power of the blockchain. That's the only way you can do it properly.
So, when you've already spent time learning about what you can make using Konami's singing voice libraries and the speech synthesis software VoiSona. Do you really think that companies will let you do whatever you want in Web3 Gaming? That they'll give up IP ownership of the game to people that bought a bunch of NFTs? That they won't stop you from creating anything that would damage the reputation of the IP holder when you end up with a decentralized game world?
Again, from the transcription: "...these games are extremely centralized. You know, if you look at Minecraft for example, you can model the game, you can have your own server and you can have all of these things. But still, Microsoft the actual owner of the game still has the thumb on the game right, so they can turn off turn you off immediately if you're doing things that they don't like."
Do you really think that decentralized game worlds are going to change how IP ownership works? The company is not going to transfer ownership of their IP to you. The blockchain is not going to magically make you immune to the Company's Terms of Service when you're in a decentralized game world.
That was a key point in my made-up scenario of Web3 Reading in the following post:
https://www.installbaseforum.com/fo...nership-gaming-web3-gaming-readygg-more.2497/
Of which no one pointed out in the thread that a decentralized world where you make your own stories using the IP of the company sounds exactly like writing Fan Fiction, except you now give money to the company to write that Fan Fiction.
