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What's the verdict on using in-game artwork for commercial use?

by mun
6 replies
Ok, i know it is not allowed to use in game or any copyrighted content for commercial use without proper licensing but I am wondering.. what if I re-create the content?

Say there is a character in-game and I take a screen shot and use it for commercial use, that would be illegal; but what if I re-create or re-design this character in the same image (fanart), would it be illegal to use that for commecial use?

Mun
#artwork #commercial #ingame #verdict
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Originally Posted by mun View Post

    Say there is a character in-game and I take a screen shot and use it for commercial use, that would be illegal; but what if I re-create or re-design this character in the same image (fanart), would it be illegal to use that for commecial use?
    You'd be creating a derivative work for which you would still need permission for commercial use.

    For example, Batman is a copyrighted character. Whether someone at DC Comics draws him or you do, he is still a protected character and you wouldn't be able to use his image commercially without permission.
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    • Profile picture of the author mun
      I see what you mean, I was intending on re-creating designs of lower profile characters (not necessarily human ) and emblems, recognisable only to those involved within that gaming community.

      However I probably still need permission from the creators for this.
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    Hey mun. What are you working on? I love anything in the gaming world personally.
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    • Profile picture of the author mun
      I'm not quite sure what im actually working on lol, but as you know the gaming communities are huge! So if somehow agreements can be made with creaters of companies such as Blizzard Entertainment then there is probably alot of money to be made depending on what ideas can be conjured
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    While you can't really use exact characters you can still use the concept of... night elf, dark elf, warlock, warrior etc.

    Everyone will think of WOW anyway. You could look into some kind of Machinima. But that would use elements of the actual game though.

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    • Profile picture of the author mun
      I did actually research into machinima use, Blizzard does allow free use of machinima for non-commercial use.

      I was also thinking that the actual concept of night elf or warrior is not copyrighted or trademarked (I thinik), since it is basically an attribute of a profession or race that can be applied to individuals.

      Although there are creatures and named individuals unique to that game only.
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