Copyright extent for a MOD? (discussion)

[dawdler]

When designing ships for my mod I thought of something: Design copyrights.

What is copyrighted really? For example, if I where to use something like this in a mod:

Would Lucasarts punch a fist in my face? Even a moron can see its a Tie Fighter design copy. Of course, I wouldnt SAY its a Tie Fighter...
I havent really thought about it so hard before... Where is the limit?

I would say this is completely acceptable, and that I could do this for all Star Wars starships, adding a little design modifications of course. But would a lawyer say its acceptable? Would it be acceptable if one put it all together, sort of creating an image of Star Wars (just a single ship doesnt)?

I'm sure there are people that have modded far longer than I and encountered it before and I'm feeling philosophical

 

[The Mullinator]

Its all very subjective. If the company that has the rights to whatever the object looks like then they can decide to pursue legal action. I remember a few years back hearing about the company Kellogs (The cereal makers) suing a major gas station company (esso) because the esso mascot was a tiger that resembled the fosted flake cereal's Tony the Tiger. I have no idea what happened in the case but it does mean that it is quite possible for such legalities to arise.

In the case of a mod however I don't think you have much of a chance of being punished.

 

[dawdler]

Originally posted by The Mullinator
Its all very subjective. If the company that has the rights to whatever the object looks like then they can decide to pursue legal action. I remember a few years back hearing about the company Kellogs (The cereal makers) suing a major gas station company (esso) because the esso mascot was a tiger that resembled the fosted flake cereal's Tony the Tiger. I have no idea what happened in the case but it does mean that it is quite possible for such legalities to arise.

In the case of a mod however I don't think you have much of a chance of being punished.

True, mods rarely get even noticed... The only one I remember is the BF1942 Starcraft mod, it got shut down by Blizzard. But they used model concept from the upcoming Starcraft2 I beleive, so maybe Blizzard didnt want them to make it before...
And this idea wouldnt really be a copy either.

I think I'm gonna go with the design, give people something to recognize. Its another thing to get people interested in the mod. And it will look hilarious seeing lego style Tie Fighters fight lego style Xwings
Oh wait... I mean lego style "Plate" class fighters fighting "Cross" class fighters. Of course

If someone wants to complain, guess I'll just have to close it down.

 

[The Mullinator]

Ya im pretty sure the only reason they will try to shut you down is if you are making a mod that is actually based on their copyrighted material. If you are making a Star wars mod and using copyrighted material then they are probably going to be mad.

If you are just making something that looks like Star Wars then I don't think they will even take the time to consider any sort of action against you.