Copyright

Sir_Hans · Post by **Sir_Hans** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:09 pm

Am I allowed to use images of other games or websites (like the logo or screenshots) on my website for a game without asking them? Of course, I'll add the link and who made the images.
It should be something like rating other games.

CuteAlien · Post by **CuteAlien** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:08 pm

No, images are automatically copyright and you can't use them without the permission from the copyright holder. Rating other games is different - I think in that context images are handled as citation and therefore allowed as long as the origin is stated.

Sir_Hans · Post by **Sir_Hans** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:30 pm

I know that they're automatically copyright but is it allowed by giving their website? Like using images from warcraft and write there that all images are from and then giving the studio and the website.

I don't want to violate the copyright so I ask.

randomMesh · Post by **randomMesh** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:33 pm

Why don't you ask the publishers of the games in question?

CuteAlien · Post by **CuteAlien** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:21 pm

What exactly do you want to do? Review games? Or do you plan to use the images in your own game or making a website with textures from other people? The latter stuff is obviously not allowed, while I guess adding images to reviews is probably fine.

Sir_Hans · Post by **Sir_Hans** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:16 pm

I want to try to make a website where you can rate games and see updates for them etc. you should be able to post your own game with images but the famous ones should be added at first and I can't send an E-Mail to every publisher and wait for response.
The website includes much more than rating games butI'll publish it when it's finished.

CuteAlien · Post by **CuteAlien** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:34 pm

Ok, sorry, can't help with that - tricky legal stuff. But getting images from publishers might be easier than you expect - usually they already have information bundles for the press for each game which they try to give out as often as possible.

Sylence · Post by **Sylence** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:16 pm

Sir_Hans wrote:I can't send an E-Mail to every publisher and wait for response.

Where is this attitude coming from? I see this all the time. "I want the resources but I don't want to ask the owner if I may use them."

Of course you can write an E-Mail to every publisher and if you don't find the material you are looking for in the press section of the publisher it's the only way to be on the sure side.

Xaryl · Post by **Xaryl** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:22 am

I think the original poster wants to know more about exceptions to copyright like fair use and fair dealing.

Before you read through all of them, I will just tell you that..

1. They are fuzzy and not well defined, and is in general decided case by case in the court.

2. Internet is a world wide thing; knowing regional laws might not suffice.

3. Forum advises are not professional legal advises; if you end up getting sued, no one but you is responsible for everything.

So yes, I agree with other responses: the safe bet is to obtain an explicit license for all your sources if it doesn't come with one already.

Sir_Hans · Post by **Sir_Hans** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:24 pm

Thanks to all of you.

I forgot about the press section at some games. I'll take a look at these and do it this way at first. If some games don't have such a thing I'll write an E-Mail to them.
I'll also make a function as mentioned before to add own games to the website and update it so it can get famous more easily. That's one of the point I want reach with the site. I hope that I can publish it i the next few month.
If you got any other solution for this post it, please.