Warcraft 3 map

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:52 pm

I think it would be cool to have a Warcraft 3 map, but I suck at making maps so somebody else should do it, I think it would be cool.

AndyDufresne · Post by **AndyDufresne** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:59 pm

It could be another interesting fantasy map, but I am not sure if copyrights would get in the way...

--Andy

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:09 am

It's legal unless you're using it for money isn't it?

Marvaddin · Post by **Marvaddin** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:17 am

They can assume lack is using it for money, since we have premium membership. But, I dont know if it can be used anyway...

Jota · Post by **Jota** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:42 am

AndrewLC wrote:It's legal unless you're using it for money isn't it?

No, violating copyright for free is not automatically legal. It might make the copyright holders less interested in hunting you down, but it doesn't make it legal. See #2 in "10 Big Myths about copyright explained" for more.

gavin_sidhu · Post by **gavin_sidhu** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:05 am

It sounds lame... Making a map of a computer game...

kronas · Post by **kronas** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:26 pm

gavin_sidhu wrote:It sounds lame... Making a map of a computer game...

u'r lame! *just had to say it*

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:50 pm

I actually got round to makeing a rough draft of this map.
Comment on it please and tell me what to work on.

SargentFluffy · Post by **SargentFluffy** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:59 pm

I've never played Warcraft, but I have to say. It's pretty sweet.

AndyDufresne · Post by **AndyDufresne** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 3:20 pm

Did you ever look into the legalities of it all? We need a 'go' from that aspect before anything else should be considered, otherwise this map wouldn't make it live.

--Andy

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:09 pm

What is Blizzard Entertainment's® copyright / trademark policy for the Internet, specifically for fan sites? Can I use Blizzard Entertainment's® images, text or sound on my web page? Is it ok if I use screenshots I take in-game on my web page?

Yes, within certain limits. We asked our legal department to provide some guidelines for you, and here is what they said:

Blizzard Entertainment® hereby grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable and non- assignable license to use and display, for home, noncommercial and personal use only, one copy of any material and/or software that you may download from this site, including, but not limited to, any files, codes, audio or images incorporated in or generated by the software (collectively the "Downloaded Content") provided, however, that you must include or maintain all copyright and other notices contained or associated with such Downloaded Content. You acknowledge and agree that you may not sublicense, assign or otherwise transfer this license or the Downloaded Content and that no title to the Downloaded Content has been or will be transferred to you from Blizzard Entertainment® or anyone else. You also agree that you will not alter, disassemble, decompile, reverse engineer or otherwise modify the Downloaded Content.

Also, we reserve the right to revoke this limited use license at any time, for any reason, and at the sole discretion of Blizzard Entertainment®. You may not use our materials on sites that feature defamatory pornographic, or inflammatory content, including, but not limited to, hacks and cheats for any of our games or any other content that Blizzard Entertainment® find objectionable or unlawful.

I'm not sure what to make of this, I got it off the Legal FAQs list on Blizzards website (Link: http://www.blizzard.com/legalfaq.shtml )
A bit of help on what this means?

happysadfun · Post by **happysadfun** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:14 pm

well, you aren't making money on it and you aren't transferring it... so i think it works.

HighBorn · Post by **HighBorn** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:16 pm

no but lack is... Andy whats the call?? i need a lawyer where scarus when you need him :twisted:

reverend_kyle · Post by **reverend_kyle** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:14 pm

HighBorn wrote:no but lack is... Andy whats the call?? i need a lawyer where scarus when you need him

Not sure about a personal injuries lawyer's keenness on copyright law but.... hey its worth a shot.

MeDeFe · Post by **MeDeFe** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:25 am

From the copyright FAQs:
You also agree that you will not alter, disassemble, decompile, reverse engineer or otherwise modify the Downloaded Content.

I don't like that line at all. The map looks good, a nice circular one. But I don't think we're allowed to do it. Maybe if someone asks really nicely...

lackattack · Post by **lackattack** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:48 am

Blizzard Entertainment® hereby grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable and non- assignable license to use and display, for home, noncommercial and personal use only

Two more problems with this license:

1. By agreeing to the Conquer Club copyright agreement (giving permission for use to us your map), are you implicitly transferring or assigning the Blizzard license? Because you can't.

2. I don't think Conquer Club qualifies as noncommercial

I think to be safe you should ask Blizzard for permission or make your own original artwork as Ticalien and MrConfigT did with the Middle Earth map.

happysadfun · Post by **happysadfun** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:19 pm

you aren't transferring it to cc. you retain the copyright. it says so on "how to make a map"

Nikolai · Post by **Nikolai** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:02 am

Here's another vote for asking Blizzard - you could be altering the image, the CC agreement may or may not void the Blizzard license, and I'm reasonable sure CC is considered commercial, since it does involve some sort of monetary exchange. It looks like fun, but... better safe than sorry.

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:35 am

I can't find the email address to email Blizzard. All I can find is the technichal help email address. If anyone could help me find the Email it would be apriciated.

Ishiro · Post by **Ishiro** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:44 am

From Blizzard's FAQ:

Can I make and sell my own products (T-shirts, card games, models/figures, etc.) based on a Blizzard universe?

No. Blizzard Entertainment® does not enter into licensing agreements with individuals. To ensure the quality of all Blizzard products, all of our merchandise is created under a licensing agreement and all prospective licensees are thoroughly reviewed by Blizzard Entertainment before a license is granted. If you are a company that is interested in creating licensed merchandise and your company is looking to pursue a corporate licensing relationship with Blizzard Entertainment, please contact Merchandiselicensing@Blizzard.com.

That would be the place to start if they don't just say 'No' outright.

happysadfun · Post by **happysadfun** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:48 am

This isn't merchandising. Can't you just go to the "contact us" area of the webbie?

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:32 am

Their "Contact us" is pretty bad, it only has the sales email and the tech support email...
http://www.blizzard.com/inblizz/contact.shtml

Ishiro · Post by **Ishiro** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:33 pm

It may not directly be merchandizing, but since the map would be for a site that does charge for premium memberships, its going to fall under that or sales/marketing. Just email the merchandizing and the sales addresses and get the ball rolling if you want to actually make a map. You'll never get anywhere until you talk to somebody. And if they aren't the right person, there is a good chance they will direct you to the right person.

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:01 pm

Okay, I sent off the email explaining CC and asking for permision to use their map.

AndrewLC · Post by **AndrewLC** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:53 pm

I just got a Email back from Blizzard saying that we couldn't put it on the site