[ Q ] Legal Issues - Selling 3D Weapon Models

LaurentiuN

Hi guys, since there is little people watching my thread maybe i have some luck in here.

I want to model some weapons and sell them on unity store/unreal etc. What can i do, to not get in trouble with lawsuits from weapon manufacturers?

For example i`m working on this gun http://polycount.com/discussion/196502/weapons-modeling-thread-2018#latest, it`s a W&W SD9 VE.

If i change the design like 20 % or add some sci-fi designs + my own text and logos, but still maintaining a real look, should that be fine for selling without getting any troubles from weapon manufacturers? What do you guys think?

cromadbomber

I have seen alot of people selling same exact models as in real life just with the name changed. Haven't heard they got into some legal trouble.

Obscura

Maybe I'm remembering wrong or mixing something up, but I think I saw an article a few days ago, saying that Epic will stop allowing real life weapons to be uploaded to the marketplace, except the ones that are already there. Maybe someone else can confirm this.

Axi5

Obscura said:

Maybe I'm remembering wrong or mixing something up, but I think I saw an article a few days ago, saying that Epic will stop allowing real life weapons to be uploaded to the marketplace, except the ones that are already there. Maybe someone else can confirm this.

Here?
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-01-04-epic-clampdown-on-real-world-guns-and-copyright-infringing-game-assets

LaurentiuN

Yeah i just googled that minutes ago and saw that article, it seems like i should wait a bit to see whats happening. They saied that even the silhouette is not allowed. Thats fuc*d up man
Here the thread from epic https://forums.unrealengine.com/unreal-engine/marketplace/1407198-marketplace-policy-on-copyright-and-trademark-protected-content

kaptainkernals

Epic also went so far as to have a stream on twitch on the subject of Copyright:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/217577945

Eric Chadwick

How is that fucked up? You're an artist... you (presumably, or at least plan to) make a living from selling your art. That requires copyright, otherwise anyone can resell your stuff. How would that feel?

Artists work at gun manufacturers. Their pay depends on copyright enforcement. An unenforced copyright is considered abandoned.

LaurentiuN

@Eric Chadwick I understand the part were you dont have legal rights to copy a design/logo or whatever they have and sell it, what i dont understand its the silhouette part.

How do i suppose to model for example a sci-fi weapon but still look real and has silhouette/dimensions from a glock if that is not allowed?

Or a silencer wich is just a tube, does that means that i`m not allowed to make my own tube with my own design because it has that silhouette?

Eric Chadwick

I hear you. Read up a bit on copyright, what someone can vs. can't register a copyright for.

tl;dr... there are limits to how fundamental something can be before you can claim a copyright on it.

A distinctive silhouette, where the average person comparing yours to the gun manufacturer's can tell they're the same, that is probably infringing. You tried to copy someone else's work directly.

There's no hard rule on % of change allowed. Just "common sense" usually.

If you're interested in learning more, I highly recommend this book. It'll likely be in your town library if you live in the US.
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines
Covers copyright from an artist's perspective, plus a ton more. Really invaluable if you're making a living as one IMHO.

LaurentiuN

Thanks for help Eric, I`ll try to change the design and maybe ask a lawyer about this stuff. Thanks again.

fdfxd2

made a thread asking the same question a while ago,

short answer, no

long answer,

http://polycount.com/discussion/186014/you-can-sell-guns-in-cg-trader-turbosquid-right#latest

Jonas Ronnegard

s1dK said:

Thanks for help Eric, I`ll try to change the design and maybe ask a lawyer about this stuff. Thanks again.

In the end though it really depends on the marketplace, even if a lawyer tells you that the changes are enough to keep you out of any copyright problems the store you are selling on might have even stricter rules, just to be on the safe side.

Lawyer is only necessary if you are gonna sell it on your own store and be the one responsible if such problems occur.

LaurentiuN

@Jonas Ronnegard Thanks man, i understand, one last question, If i model for example some weapons like in the links below but with my own design, am i good to go?
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/nDza1
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/wVJOY

Like i saied, more sci-fi but still have a real look. Thanks!

Eric Chadwick

"your own design" that's the key part. Make it distinctly your own, no probs.

LaurentiuN

Ok, thanks again Eric and to all who replied here. I`m gonna model my own weapons