Top Mud Sites Forum - View Single Post

silvarilon · 08-08-2010, 10:53 PM

Muds are really just the small fry that nobody much cares about. How sad.

City of Heroes had to remove copyrighted names. But you were able to basically make your character look very similar to a marvel or DC superhero character, so being able to use the name alongside that, even as user content, really treads the line.

In a text game, as much as we'd like to think otherwise (and as much as the law technically says otherwise) - we're essentially just making interactive fan fiction.

Yes, lawyers could descend on a webpage that is hosting some harry potter fan fiction, and point out that the author is damaging their property by making Harry fight Nazghul. But they're unlikely to care, or even notice, unless it's either making money (and I mean actual money, not just running costs), selling merchandise, or otherwise threatening their property. If asked, though, they'd probably refuse permission to avoid the future argument that they've granted licence if they change their mind later.

That said, not everyone will say no. Ironclaw Online runs with the full blessings of Sanguine () - they've even supported us by sending books, artwork, and other background material. Thanks, guy! You rock!

08-08-2010, 10:53 PM	#10
silvarilon Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 144	Re: Copyrighted character names. Muds are really just the small fry that nobody much cares about. How sad. City of Heroes had to remove copyrighted names. But you were able to basically make your character look very similar to a marvel or DC superhero character, so being able to use the name alongside that, even as user content, really treads the line. In a text game, as much as we'd like to think otherwise (and as much as the law technically says otherwise) - we're essentially just making interactive fan fiction. Yes, lawyers could descend on a webpage that is hosting some harry potter fan fiction, and point out that the author is damaging their property by making Harry fight Nazghul. But they're unlikely to care, or even notice, unless it's either making money (and I mean actual money, not just running costs), selling merchandise, or otherwise threatening their property. If asked, though, they'd probably refuse permission to avoid the future argument that they've granted licence if they change their mind later. That said, not everyone will say no. Ironclaw Online runs with the full blessings of Sanguine () - they've even supported us by sending books, artwork, and other background material. Thanks, guy! You rock!