Opinions please...
Monday, August 27, 2001 by Snowman | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I have made a couple of skins with graphics from a game (Quake 3), you see. Would it be fair/ok/not rip-like to release the skins WITHOUT permission from the original artists?? And just as a sidenote, I HAVE written for permission but haven't gotten any response yet!
I've had a few responses so far saying that I should just release them, because the creators of the game "just don't give f**k"...
But I think it would fair if I "keep my pants on" for a couple of days and see what happens....
I've had a few responses so far saying that I should just release them, because the creators of the game "just don't give f**k"...
But I think it would fair if I "keep my pants on" for a couple of days and see what happens....
craeonics
Reply #2 Monday, August 27, 2001 6:51 PM
Reply #2 Monday, August 27, 2001 6:51 PM
If all else fails, stick a file in the zip explaining the situation.
Jafo
Reply #3 Monday, August 27, 2001 7:04 PM
Reply #3 Monday, August 27, 2001 7:04 PM
Just to get things a little clearer....if the artwork is copied, or replicated, or derived from another's work, you MUST have permission for its reproduction and display.
A non-functioning screen-shot could be considered OK, but s 'product' that is intended for re-use or distribution, such as a wall, or a skin would not...
A non-functioning screen-shot could be considered OK, but s 'product' that is intended for re-use or distribution, such as a wall, or a skin would not...
Jafo
Reply #4 Monday, August 27, 2001 7:07 PM
Reply #4 Monday, August 27, 2001 7:07 PM
That 's' up there is, in fact, a new-fangled 'a' that I was trying out...
paxx
Reply #6 Monday, August 27, 2001 9:42 PM
Reply #6 Monday, August 27, 2001 9:42 PM
Well, I made Hockey themes skins once, I actually made two, Montreal and Toronto. I origianlly made it for fun and thought nothing of it, then I was receiving tons of emails from people who wanted me to do their team. OK, I thought, it would be a cool project to make all the teams of the NHL. But with such a big project, I thought, I better make sure it'll legal. I don't want to spend a few months making somthing that I'll have to pull in the end. So I emailed the NHL about the legallity of using the teams logos. Well, I did get an answer, it took about 10 days. The answer was quite simple: for free or not, for whatever use, it was a big no no. The email explained to me what a trademark was and blablabla. Of course I knew the team logos were trademarks, but i really didn't think they woud care since it was for free. Anyway, apparently they did mind. 
So, I would think your problem may be somewhat similar. If you are using the actual Quake logo, it's probably a big no no (trademark), if you are using graphics from the game, then it's not trademarked anymore but copywrited... and it's proabably just as bad.
So, overall, I would say, if you want to be legal, don't do it unless you get an explicit OK from the game company...
So, I would think your problem may be somewhat similar. If you are using the actual Quake logo, it's probably a big no no (trademark), if you are using graphics from the game, then it's not trademarked anymore but copywrited... and it's proabably just as bad.
So, overall, I would say, if you want to be legal, don't do it unless you get an explicit OK from the game company...
Emily
Reply #8 Monday, August 27, 2001 10:40 PM
Reply #8 Monday, August 27, 2001 10:40 PM
thx paxx. I never knew about that. That is a most definite sad thing.
Snowman
Reply #9 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 3:06 AM
Reply #9 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 3:06 AM
Thsnks folks. I'm listening snd wsiting! (Sorry but my "a" sin't working) 
(Sorry but my "a" sin't working) 
AJCrowley
Reply #10 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 4:02 AM
Reply #10 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 4:02 AM
Of course, with such things, it's no biggie if it's for personal use, and I can't see the harm in posting a link to a screenshot on a quiet little message board amongst friends, and I can't see that it would *really* matter if the link with the screenshot just happened to have a link to download the skin. My point here is that there are people that I respect, for example, I'd never attempt to distribute a modified Sputnik without contacting Mr. Treetog for permission, or Faux-SX with Mr. Boyer's permission, and I'm sure they'd have no problem with it if my work had any merit. But how many XP and Aqua type skin authors do you think contacted Microsoft or Apple? And while we're on the subject of trademarks (yes Jafo, I know you shouldn't begin a sentence with a conjunction), do you think that using "XP" or "Luna" in a skin name might be treading on some corporate toes? Just a thought....
Jafo
Reply #11 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 8:43 AM
Reply #11 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 8:43 AM
SJC...it seems you sre not with the tesm.
We hsve s problem with the letter 's' which, for some resson keeps ending up ss s 's'.
Git with it, lsd....
Sny wsy....Microsoft is clever enough to reslise thst skinning their OS is sll for their good...Gooses golden eggs snd such....
We hsve s problem with the letter 's' which, for some resson keeps ending up ss s 's'.
Git with it, lsd....
Sny wsy....Microsoft is clever enough to reslise thst skinning their OS is sll for their good...Gooses golden eggs snd such....
Snowman
Reply #12 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 8:49 AM
Reply #12 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 8:49 AM
You got s point there Sir SJ! But snywsys I'll hold my horses for s few dsys more.... 
Snd Jsfo: know sny hsrdwsrestores thst got keybosrds on ssle??
Snd Jsfo: know sny hsrdwsrestores thst got keybosrds on ssle??
Snowman
Reply #13 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 4:37 PM
Reply #13 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 4:37 PM
Check here: http://24.229.80.132/?page=more_info&num=2189
This is what all the hullabaloo is about!
(wow the "a" is working again)
This is what all the hullabaloo is about!
(wow the "a" is working again)
AJCrowley
Reply #14 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 5:14 PM
Reply #14 Tuesday, August 28, 2001 5:14 PM
aorry, I'll try to get more with the program in future poata.
AJ
AJ
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Reply #1 Monday, August 27, 2001 6:24 PM
If your graphics are exact copies from the game then you need permission. No response would be the same as a NO.
If your graphics are similiar but not exact then permission should be sought but lack of response would mean go for it, unless/until you hear otherwise.
I couldn't imagine why "id" would mind though unless of course you were selling your skins retail.