Movies and USA Fair Use Copyright

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

[shinobicow]

You should probably note though that images from these movies probably do not fall into the category of "fair use" category. You could use parody images, but not the exact one. Like if you made a parody batman logo using a different animal, but taking stuff straight from the movies isn't really allowed legally.

Some movies though, if you go back long enough, are available in the public domain and that means you can use those images freely. For example, the images i used in the Alone in the Woods PDF are all from the oldest version of robin hood, which is from the 1920's and thus those images are public domain and are free to use legally speaking.

As far as images go, there was a post a long time ago in the 2009 1km1kt that had a list of places that you can find good Public Domain or Open Source images which are free to use. Wikimidia Commons has some great stuff that is either free use, or free use with attribution.

[misterecho]

I don't think anyone in Hollywood cares that were using movies for inspiration. We're encouraging people to watch films they haven't seen in years.

I just think we're too low on the radar for them to even give a monkeys.

[NewBigDragon]

(reposted from my response to the related thread)

It's interesting that this topic has come up in this manner as it has been something I've been preparing myself to confront as I keep my eye open on an upcoming weekend that will allow me to throw my hat into this ring. But it's never been anything I've worried about, and here's why...

1) I've always planned on approaching this project as satire, which seems a natural both for this particular genre (movie mashup) and the contest in general (just look at last year's winner, "Keeton Must Die"). And satire is protected (when done correctly). Maybe "The People vs. Larry Flynt" should have been on the list of movies for this year's contest.

2) I've never planned on using copyrighted images in my game. As a graphic designer that deals with this on a regular basis, I've always planned on either drawing my own or searching out confirmed public domain or royalty-free imagery. And if I draw anything or use an image that looks similar to a copyrighted image, if I approach it from a satirical POV, I should be protected...

As an example, take Caoimhe's logo from his character sheet for "Game Over Man" ... yes, using the Ghostbuster's logo would technically be copyright infringement, but if you'd slap together a drawing of the alien beast inside the Ghostbuster's strikethrough circle (instead of the ghost)-BAM! satire - generally protected from infringement. And truthfully, pretty funny in the context of the actual game.

Mad Magazine (and now the Mad cartoon TV show) are perfect examples of using characters SIMILAR TO and INSPIRED BY the original in a satirical way. For example, if Mad were doing Alien, they might change Ripley to "Rippedlee" or "Wrigley" or maybe even "Ridley" (as a poke at the director Ridley Scott).

Maybe as part of everybody's research before beginning their games, they re-acquaint themselves with some good satire, and then make sure as they develop their games they stay away from the actual names of characters and the actual images that are copyrighted by the movie companies. And I'm most serious about that last one. I've recently had the chance to work on a promotion for a client of mine doing a tie-in with the upcoming Red Riding Hood movie and this was in the vendor contract...

"(c) Warner Bros. and its assignees may exploit fully Contributor's services and name and likeness in all media and manners, in perpetuity, throughout the universe..."

Yes, people, they're serious. Anything they own is protected throughout the universe.

Just some thoughts.

[SheikhJahbooty]

Except I wanted to write a non-satirical game about an alien brainwashing experiment that breaks down into ultra-violence.

Dark City + Clockwork Orange

"Flashmobs have erupted into violence, Mr. Book."

"You're right Mr. Harrington. Perhaps we should withdraw."

Survive the revolution, and then figure out if you're really free, of if you just found your way into a bigger experiment.