Copyright infringement

[Darmian]

Honestly, I get more, I don't know if annoyed is the right word, but anyway, that, when I see clones of Statesman and so on wandering around.  Now, if there were some magical mechanic in the game that spotted these and the PPD/Arachnos/Powers Division/Longbow/Whoever kept following the character around and hassling them in every mission, so much so that HEATs are saying that seems excessive...LOL.

 

Anyway.

[StarkWhite]

4 hours ago, BlakeTheDrake said:

Don't really wanna get into the... debate, I just checked in here because I wasn't really sure what the actual consensus WAS on this stuff. I've seen dozens of rather unoriginal characters around the place too, but here's the thing... I basically never see them TWICE. Sure, making Spiderman or Saitama or Wolverine or whatever can be fun, but that fun wears off rather quickly. The characters that people wind up STICKING with, and playing for the long haul, tend to be either A) Creative concepts or B) Mechanically optimized powersets with a generic superhero/villain skin slapped on. I shan't pass judgement on which approach is better - what matters is that those are the characters people enjoy playing for the long haul.

 

Not sure if that changes anything from a legal standpoint, but from an emotional perspective, it's worth remembering that we aren't REALLY being overrun with endless copycats. Hanging around the high-level zones or running high-end TFs, you'll see few if any.

I would suggest that is less because people tire of them and more because the longer those characters last, the higher their chance of getting generic'd gets (ie the GMs are doing their thing).

[UltraAlt]

19 hours ago, ZacKing said:

Please dismount your high horse.

 

coming from you. that is a joke.

 

Good day.

[ZacKing]

10 minutes ago, UltraAlt said:

coming from you. that is a joke.

 

Hey, I can't help it if you didn't read the posts before jumping on your high horse to try and white knight.... again.

[TheZag]

Perhaps the GM that said dont report too often meant dont become the costume police and go out of your way to find people to report.

 

[GM Crumpet]

3 hours ago, TheZag said:

Perhaps the GM that said dont report too often meant dont become the costume police and go out of your way to find people to report.

 

In fairness, if someone is reported for having a comic accurate costume then I'm happy to take a look. We've had endless green lanterns, Homelanders, Deadpools etc that the name is fine but the costume is amazing!! And I do feel quite guilty hitting the big shiny button on it knowing how much work they put in.

[PatternGhost]

On 1/31/2024 at 5:40 PM, PeregrineFalcon said:

cheaper on Disney's online store

 

I was right with you until this. 🤣

[Laucianna]

I've seen a few new players with the help me above their head and amazing outfits based on copyrighted characters, a lot of the time a simple message saying that it's a cool costume but against the ToS lets them know in a gentle way I find, I know I would rather be told be a fellow player then hit with the generic hammer if I didn't know ❤️

 

 - Lauci x

[GM Crumpet]

6 hours ago, Laucianna said:

I've seen a few new players with the help me above their head and amazing outfits based on copyrighted characters, a lot of the time a simple message saying that it's a cool costume but against the ToS lets them know in a gentle way I find, I know I would rather be told be a fellow player then hit with the generic hammer if I didn't know ❤️

 

 - Lauci x

You spoil all my fun!! 😛 

 

But yes, if you see a new player who looks amazing then please tell them they are breaking the ToS if you feel confident in doing so. You have no obligation to do so, all reports are confidential.

Edited February 4 by GM Crumpet

[MoonSheep]

8 hours ago, Laucianna said:

I've seen a few new players with the help me above their head and amazing outfits based on copyrighted characters, a lot of the time a simple message saying that it's a cool costume but against the ToS lets them know in a gentle way I find, I know I would rather be told be a fellow player then hit with the generic hammer if I didn't know ❤️

 

 - Lauci x

 

this does seem a kinder approach than my idea: copyrighted alts are subject to in-zone PvP without notice

[twozerofoxtrot]

1 hour ago, MoonSheep said:

copyrighted alts are subject to in-zone PvP without notice

 

Monkey's Paw Curls:

The copyright infringing character you try to jump is a pvp god, serves everyone who steps up.

[JasperStone]

Since the copyright has expired...surprised we have not seen more version Winnie the Pooh or Mickey Mouse

[TygerDarkstorm]

52 minutes ago, JasperStone said:

Since the copyright has expired...surprised we have not seen more version Winnie the Pooh or Mickey Mouse

Before folks go crazy with these, only very specific versions have had their copyright expire - the Winnie the Pooh from the books (If you make one with a red shirt, you are still in violation of Disney's copyright on their version), and the Steamboat Willie Mickey & Minnie. Using any other variation is still a violation.

[Water]

1 hour ago, TygerDarkstorm said:

Before folks go crazy with these, only very specific versions have had their copyright expire - the Winnie the Pooh from the books (If you make one with a red shirt, you are still in violation of Disney's copyright on their version), and the Steamboat Willie Mickey & Minnie. Using any other variation is still a violation.

 

Also, legally speaking, ignorance of the law is no excuse from it.

 

[Infinitum]

On 1/31/2024 at 4:51 PM, GM Crumpet said:

The Tick but is pink and called The Flea would be fine, as it would fit under the rule. Something that looks like the Tick and is called THE T!CK wouldn't be. Same as the Hulk. It's a massive green character with tattered shorts. Make him Blue and called The Bulk and I wouldn't look twice.

What about a yellow spandex clad balding guy with a handlebar mustache named Bulk Rogan.   Asking for a friend.  😜

[Bionic_Flea]

1 hour ago, Infinitum said:

What about a yellow spandex clad balding guy with a handlebar mustache named Bulk Rogan.   

 

Make it Bulk Rogaine and now we're clearly in parody-land!

[Infinitum]

3 minutes ago, Bionic_Flea said:

 

Make it Bulk Rogaine and now we're clearly in parody-land!

thats good  lol

 

[Oubliette_Red]

2 hours ago, Bionic_Flea said:

 

Make it Bulk Rogaine and now we're clearly in parody-land!

 

He's gotta be bald though.

 

[bustacap]

I have a Grav/Storm controller with the Tp Pool that I don't log in anymore because I dont want him hammered. Only a couple of people remembered the Tv show though. 

[WuTang]

On 1/31/2024 at 3:51 PM, GM Crumpet said:

There is no such thing as too much. See something you think is a breach of the code of conduct, report away. I do most of the generics (sorry) and am never too busy to look into reports. It might be the character works under the parody/tribute rule. Something that looks like The Tick but is pink and called The Flea would be fine, as it would fit under the rule. Something that looks like the Tick and is called THE T!CK wouldn't be. Same as the Hulk. It's a massive green character with tattered shorts. Make him Blue and called The Bulk and I wouldn't look twice.

 

If you do get hit with a generic and you feel it was in error (I do mess up sometimes) please feel free to reply to the ticket you get and explain why you think it was in error. "I've played this character since live and nobody has ever complained" isn't a good reason. "I named this character because of X <insert link>" is much more likely to succeed. I can also accidentally hit the wrong button and generic a name when I only meant to hit a bio. In that case I'll happily apologise and let you rename the character back. If I mess up I will always apologise.

Final arbiters will be the lead GM's. If you wish to appeal the decision then you just need to ask explaining your reasons. The lead GM's decision is final, but they will come to a consensus and even take it to Cipher if they feel it's that close to the line.
 

Dude somehow this post needs to be made permanent or a link to it in IP infringement section of the rules. I'm new, month in, and in my first post people had me so worried about the IP infringement thing that I was frantically looking up info, and it's vague at best and some folks here want so dearly to protect the thing they love that they inadvertently become a little overzealous on the subject. And that could scare some new people off. But this explanation is perfect! It's very easy to pay homage to your favorite hero without duplicating them; and, as GM Crumpet points out, the rule is very forgiving.

 

BTW, where is the "tattered shorts?!" I looked everywhere for them. My "Hulk" (not Hulk) currently looks like a very big surfer.

Edited February 12 by WuTang

[GM Crumpet]

4 minutes ago, WuTang said:

Dude somehow this post needs to be made permanent or a link to it in IP infringement section of the rules. I'm new, month in, and in my first post people had me so worried about the IP infringement thing that I was frantically looking up info, and it's vague at best and some folks here want so dearly to protect the thing they love that they inadvertently become a little overzealous on the subject. And that could scare some new people off. But this explanation is perfect! It's very easy to pay homage to your favorite hero without duplicating them; and, as GM Crumpet points out, the rule is very forgiving.

 

BTW, where is the "tattered shots?!" I looked everywhere for them. My "Hulk" (not Hulk) currently looks like a very big surfer.

Any of the GM's will be more than happy to discuss concepts and idea with you on Discord. We aren't monsters. You can always DM me with a costume or name and go "Is this OK?" and I'll give you my honest opinion. As many long time players will tell you, I'm not overly diplomatic.  But I'm reasonable 🙂 

[GM_GooglyMoogly]

47 minutes ago, GM Crumpet said:

We aren't monsters.

 

Speak for yourself!

[Oubliette_Red]

2 hours ago, WuTang said:

BTW, where is the "tattered shorts?!" I looked everywhere for them. My "Hulk" (not Hulk) currently looks like a very big surfer.

 

I do not believe there are tattered shorts, just tattered pants.

[Snarky]

1 minute ago, Oubliette_Red said:

 

I do not believe there are tattered shorts, just tattered pants.

zombie legs sort of have tattered shorts but its a skin

[Laucianna]

On 2/12/2024 at 1:57 PM, GM Crumpet said:

We aren't monsters.

Most of you eat Kheldians.....