Copyrights

Gilbert

Hi folks, it's been a while that I'm out of the loop. I'd like to know what are the latest policies about making pluggin player models of known characters. Which brands doesn't like us to make models from their universe? (like Marvel, Fox, etc)

What about Nintendo characters?

Thanks,

CheapAlert

I've seen plenty of Mario models in the past that never got a single C&D. Just Marvel, Nick Park and plagiarism related incidents leading to model removal.

A single player model is not a mod project, so the risk of getting a C&D over a piece of mere 3d fan art is a lot less. Marvel still are bitter over who makes their characters, though, even Stan Lee is getting pissed off by them

ebagg

Has there ever been a time where a company told an individual to not make a custom model? I thought that was only told to single player mods where their mod is trying to recreate the gameplay experiences of a pre-existing franchise?

Toomas

Yes i think Marvel was pretty harsh about even models, werent they pulled from Polycount?
They are stupidly over protective of their "awesome" characters.

hawken

Dragon Ball Z should be a safe bet.

almighty_gir

too bad there are a million and one dbz mods already :P

AstroZombie

[ QUOTE ]
Has there ever been a time where a company told an individual to not make a custom model? I thought that was only told to single player mods where their mod is trying to recreate the gameplay experiences of a pre-existing franchise?

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember someone (tpe?) getting a CnD from Aardman for a Wallace PPM for Q3A a few years back.

Paul Jaquays

I think you can safely assume the following:

Creating a 3D version of a licensed character for your personal portfolio is not only acceptable, but also a good idea. It shows your ability to work with other people's concepts and IP.

Distributing that same asset online (in any manner or for any use) is a bad idea and will eventually earn you (at the very least) a C&D letter from someone's lawyer.

Whenever you want to use and redistribute someone else's IP for any purpose, you should have a legal document in hand (non-electronic, if possible) from the appropriate person at the IP's owner.

Gilbert

Thanks for the replies people. I've created and released something like 20 character models based on "known" characters and never received any C&D letter. Asking the permission is not a bad idea unfortunately Mr. Gunpei Yokoi passed away in 1997.

My question was also about the actual Polycount policies. I wanted to know if since the problem they had with Marvel, if they were more sensitive about copyright infringement in general.

I perfer to ask this before spending 50 hours on a character model!

Thanks,

Alc