unforum

Jenna

Copyright Infringements?

**Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:32 pm

_________________
currently;
Nothing Sad

Playing is cool, but lurking when you're busy is AWESOME

imbri

You might want to look at doing something similar to what Omnifam and Metacortechs did - running parallel to the existing works instead of smack dab inside them.

**Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:37 pm

Ehsan · Entrenched Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 992

It will basically be copyright infringement, no matter what you do. Even if you derive your work from the series, and not use any of the characters. There is no such thing as legal fan fiction.

As for your chances of getting sued, it depends on the series. You might get a takedown notice, but probably won't be thrown in jail if you aren't making any money off of it.

The only way to avoid this issue is not to use any recognizable elements of the series, which sort of defeats the purpose of using the series in the first place. I would have also said "contact the copyright owners", but I'm pretty sure that will only grant you an early rejection.

Good luck. (IANAL)

**Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:39 pm

Nightmare Tony

It might be best to actually contact the movie or tv show company, explain what you are doing and ask permission as a non profit based fan derivative.

My favorite game was able to gain permission to use the fantastic musical soundtrack from Donnie Darko.

Be aware of course that if you try and license anything from major studios and A list material, you will probably be asked to pay a super high price for the licensing rights.

An independent film or TV series would be a wiser choice to deal with. You may find that they would be eager to not only license their intellectual property to you but may partner in the actual game running as well.

**Posted:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:57 pm

_________________
For this is the place where dreams and nightmares are birthed and bred
Nightmare Park

White_Knight · Boot Joined: 07 Nov 2003 Posts: 58

Well its a bit of a grey area.

1) Most companies dont mind fan fic...as long as your not selling it.

2) If the connection is only subtle in its mention of connecting factors (like metacortechs who's only hard and fast connection was the name of the company IIRC) you may be able to get away with it anyway.

3) Even if they wouldn't let you....you may still be able to get away with it as ARGs arn't seen by that many people. In OC I used a 2 peices of copyrighted music (the Road to the stars Ad and the SAIpets Ads), and we got away with it....but it was a stupid stupid thing to do and was totaly my fault, I'm surprised I didn't get more of a bollocking from the rest fo the crew....but that cause we we're lucky....and from looking for the perfect peice for the end credits there are some REALY good open source music out there.

But...I realy dont think you should need to base an ARG on an already established plot for the following reasons...

1)it gives you an envolope that you have to fit into based on the themes of the origanal and makes its hard to diviate on the fly.

2)If its realy popular you'll get the fanatic fans coming in throwing a tanty when you mention "ron weaslie's black hair" or something similar...mistakes are made

3)New Ideas give you a wider scope to go nuts...

4)Your not gonna get shut down

That all said....GO FOR IT....suck it and see.... you never know till you try, if you ask you run the risk of them saying NO, if you dont they may never see it and your sorted, and if they do see it they may not care....I say put your feet together and jump Razz

**Posted:** Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:50 am

MageSteff

**Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:41 am

_________________
Magesteff
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead