WoW Copyright/Legality

Zarcath · 10-19-2006, 03:24 AM

I was thinking about designing and selling some WoW inspired t-shirts, things along the lines of L2P, I Shard Epics, etc. The words alone should be fine, but if I include any imagery from WoW without consent, that would be illegal correct?

What loopholes could be used to get around this? I was originally thinking of using silhouettes. Would other artists renditions of WoW creatures be illegal also? say a drawing of C'Thun?

No big plans for this, just something to sell to friends etc, nothing like distributing to retail outlets.

Soriak · 10-19-2006, 07:49 AM

You can't use 'warcraft' or 'world of warcraft' or any of their art.

WoW should be fine - it's an abbrevation and not a trademarked term.

As for your own designs, sure... if you want to draw a demon, that's fine. When you use something that is easily identifiable as something from WoW it's probably crossing the line though.

Faltigoth · 10-19-2006, 08:08 AM

If you go with the I Shard Epics make sure its 'I Shard EpiX!'

Heheh.

Good luck with your venture, and yeah, you can probably get away with the phrases but if you start making money while using pictures of/from the game, they might come after you. I don't really have much of a clue about copyright law though so I don't really know what to tell you other than good luck.

dak · 10-19-2006, 10:08 AM

I sell WoW parody teeshirts and make phat cash doing it.

They can shove their copyright laws up their ass, try and stop me!

Dildo Faggins · 10-19-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dak

I sell WoW parody teeshirts and make phat cash doing it.

They can shove their copyright laws up their ass, try and stop me!

This man understands america. White collar crime in america pays good, really good. Basically, unless your hauling in enough that it becomes financially worthwhile to stop you, they wont. And even then, you could just go into talks with a partnership with them and be making even more money. Stealing is the foundation of any good business.

Luthair · 10-27-2006, 12:30 PM

I believe under US law if what you're doing is considered satire you have more leeway in what you can use.

Kevincheese · 10-27-2006, 07:50 PM

It's Parody, not satire.

Tea on tuesday · 10-27-2006, 10:14 PM

Best Legal Advice Thread Ever!

brekk · 10-27-2006, 10:40 PM

"are you a lawyer?"

"no, but don't worry, I'm from the internet!"

Cuppycake · 10-28-2006, 01:37 AM

Well technically I'm not sure...but signature artists and portrait artists can use screenshot manip art and sell it for commission. But we're not selling the 'art' persay, but the time we spent editing it and making the signature. I'd assume you could find a loophole somewhere.

10-19-2006, 03:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zarcath Read Farmer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 5,215 +19 Internets	WoW Copyright/Legality I was thinking about designing and selling some WoW inspired t-shirts, things along the lines of L2P, I Shard Epics, etc. The words alone should be fine, but if I include any imagery from WoW without consent, that would be illegal correct? What loopholes could be used to get around this? I was originally thinking of using silhouettes. Would other artists renditions of WoW creatures be illegal also? say a drawing of C'Thun? No big plans for this, just something to sell to friends etc, nothing like distributing to retail outlets.

10-19-2006, 10:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
dak Enough wicked gay on this board as it is. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: France Posts: 4,150	I sell WoW parody teeshirts and make phat cash doing it. They can shove their copyright laws up their ass, try and stop me! __________________ Give me negative internets you cock sucking nobodies. RIP Spiderman-Troupe 2002-2008

10-28-2006, 01:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
Cuppycake Plugged In Like Neo Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,082	Well technically I'm not sure...but signature artists and portrait artists can use screenshot manip art and sell it for commission. But we're not selling the 'art' persay, but the time we spent editing it and making the signature. I'd assume you could find a loophole somewhere. __________________ Metaplace - Nothing I say here represents my employer, legalblahdiddyblah.

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10-19-2006, 07:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Soriak Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 4,756 +29 Internets	You can't use 'warcraft' or 'world of warcraft' or any of their art. WoW should be fine - it's an abbrevation and not a trademarked term. As for your own designs, sure... if you want to draw a demon, that's fine. When you use something that is easily identifiable as something from WoW it's probably crossing the line though.

10-19-2006, 08:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Faltigoth Army Football forever!! Who needs wins, anyway?!? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 781 +0 Internets	If you go with the I Shard Epics make sure its 'I Shard EpiX!' Heheh. Good luck with your venture, and yeah, you can probably get away with the phrases but if you start making money while using pictures of/from the game, they might come after you. I don't really have much of a clue about copyright law though so I don't really know what to tell you other than good luck.

10-27-2006, 12:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
Luthair Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 914 -4 Internets	I believe under US law if what you're doing is considered satire you have more leeway in what you can use.

10-27-2006, 10:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tea on tuesday Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,566 +18 Internets	Best Legal Advice Thread Ever!