I'm getting mixed responses from past threads all over the forum concerning Blizzard's policy dealing with custom content. I know things like music that are easily identifiable are grounds for penalty, and I know at least one person who's map was removed because it contained third-party audio tracks. What about custom models? I received permission from the creator of several models to use for SC2, but getting by Blizzard is another issue. Now, these models strongly resemble 'content' from a franchise that is while deceased, the company that owns it is still up and about. They are however not the authors of the models.
So the question then is, can Blizzard book you and/or your map on models that resembles content from a non-blizzard franchise? Can you get booked on basing your map on a franchise with names and lore from said franchise used in combination with original models? Someone a while back made available two models of ships from Halo. Has anyone been booked when they used those models in their game and named the units based on Halo lore?
I've also contacted Blizzard's legal department and am waiting to hear the official word. That aside, I would like to hear what you guys know or have experienced in regard to this. Or, if there is a more obvious and informative thread on this, point me toward it.
Im making map called Age of Knights (medieval themed, Age of Empires reminder) and that map had other games Sounds and still have some models. And Blizzard was interested in featuring the map but they where concerned abbout that content so here is some quotes from the manager of that sort:
"Also, very important question, we noticed you have imported sounds for the units – are these original sounds or are they imported from other games? If we were to feature your game in the future, we wouldn’t be able to if it had any models or sounds or other assets from other games. "
Next response after I said from where all those assets are from.
"We would definitely need to remove the textures from the other games to feature it in the future but you can keep all of the Blizzard textures from WoW and Warcraft III.
I understand it’s a bummer to lose the sounds. Perhaps you can use sounds from War3 or WoW? Maybe there are aspiring voice actors who’d love to offer their talent? =) "
I've also contacted Blizzard's legal department and am waiting to hear the official word. That aside, I would like to hear what you guys know or have experienced in regard to this. Or, if there is a more obvious and informative thread on this, point me toward it.
Honestly, I would wait for this. We can speculate a lot, but ultimately Blizzard will handle it the way they do. But I assume you are planning to do that anyway.
From what I heard (and in my opinion), any assets you created yourself, you have permission to use by the author, or are available for public use based on but not ripped of any non-Blizzard franchise should be fair game. Specific names and lore and stuff might be problematic, however, that would probably need to be accommodated by Blizzard. There are a lot of maps out there using names and lore of other franchises, though (a buddy created a WH40k map, no assets but obviously all the unit names, gameplay mechanics and stuff, didn't get taken down yet :D).
@TwoDie: Go
Interesting. It does help, thanks. My map does include a few imported sounds too, but not whole music tracks. With regard to your uploaded sounds, did Blizzard ask you to remove the sounds for the map to be featured, or altogether regardless of being featured? That's a pretty important distinction. It may be for some, but whether or not my map is featured is not important to me, and it also may not be important to future inquirers either.
@TheLostAzn: GoThere are a lot of maps out there using names and lore of other franchises, though (a buddy created a WH40k map, no assets but obviously all the unit names, gameplay mechanics and stuff, didn't get taken down yet :D).
Exactly why it's sketchy, yeah. There are a few super smash brothers/dragonballz/halo maps around that use names from lore without penalty (that we know of), but I do understand if a unit is using the lore name, AND the close resembling custom model, AND custom imported sounds, AND in a map that features tonnes of content from that specific franchise, would be judged upon a bit more harshly.
Of course the word from Blizzard's legal department would be the final word on this. I'll update this thread when I get the response, as to set a precedence.
I didnt had music in map but sounds was used so threat was near.
Main messages about the usage of assets and map existance that uses them I quoted already. I think eventually you may encounter the problems of used sounds, assets. Best way is to avoid that.
As far as general copy right law goes music is the killer since if has such a strong legal backing due to the industry surrounding it. Rest are up to the owning parties to raise objection.
Blizzard games had custom contents since the time of Warcraft 2. Diablo 1 had mods with custom gfx and images, the same Diablo 2. Even Starcraft 1 had some cool Total Conversions/custom gfx. Warcraft 3 had hundreds of custom models/skins/sounds/spells/terrains etc...so I think in SC2 is 100% legit. If custom models would have been non legit, then SC2 would have been released without the option to import the models.
I don't get why there are even slight doubts on what's allowed and what's not. Blizzard's rules are clean and simple.
If one has any doubts on using given piece of content then just one shouldn't use it. If it resembles Halo, AoE or any other franchise then just do whatever you can to make it not resemble the other franchise.
First: Change the name. If I were responsible for taking down the mods, I'd cut the Warhammer mod as well as AoE mod, just for the name.
And! Just for being safe and sound and showing others that the situation is still under controll.
Second: do your own models OR use models that you are 100% certain that can be legally used.
The rules are not there to protect the mod uploader/creator. They are there to protect Blizzard from legal actions against them for franchise rights owner.
Some time ago there was a request to extract models from a game which name I don't remember now. The response of person asking for this, after being reminded of the rules was just "I don't care, I just want it".
Well, if we (the community) go that way, I don't think it will be a nice place where we'll reach :)
The other thing about changing the models so that they don't resemble other franchises would be to stay honest. I mean, there is a law which says that after certain amount of percentage changed the content is not similar, therefore a new creation. Now I call that bullcrap :) Use StarCraft's, your own or friendly modeler's models.
@TheTorrasque: Go Yes, but he is talking about models that resemble things for other franchises, like a Goku or Naruto model, and its totally different from importing a modified Firebat or a simple a cube. Blizzard definitely won't feature a map that uses those models. I believe they wouldn't even if it was just the units' names.
And they're right, the best thing they can do is to stay away from trouble.
Blizzard's policy concerning third party content is very far from clean and simple.
The fact that we have maps with names and themes from copyrighted franchises like Halo or Super Smash Brothers that are allowed to exist on the service proves that there is flexibility in the Starcraft II Custom Game Acceptable Use Policy that states "the content you (I) use to create any Custom Games or upload to the Service, nor the compilation, arrangement or display of such content (collectively, the “User Content”), infringes or will infringe any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or other intellectual property right of any third party." Clearly the presence of original custom models that resemble content from franchises pushes on the barrier of tolerance a little more.
I'm not concerned in the least whether a questionable map can be featured, as long as it's allowed to exist and be played. I'm also not overly concerned with the implications of the official word, since there is apparently room for leniency. Anyone can easily change the name of their map and units to something original as to avoid the problem, but the similarity between original custom models and the content they're supposed to take after cannot be changed as easily - especially since Blizzard holds the final word on its judgement.
You're saying that the system is flexible. I'm saying that it's either overlooked or even if it's allowed then just wait until one of that mods will cause some storm between Blizzard and given franchise rights owner. Just because killing occurs doesn't mean that it's allowed ;)
There is so much things in this world, so much words to describe mod/units that I don't even know how anyone can use copyrighted or not Blizzard's franchise.
I mean, I don't get it. Why do you risk removing your mod, after all that hard work you've put into creating it? Design your mod in a way, that it won't bring ANY doubts. I wouldn't count on leniency :)
Good comparison:
Star Wars' AT-ST
Warhammer 40k's Dreadnought
and StarCraft II's Viking
The resemblence is there but I don't see lawsuits flying around. You can design something that looks somehow similar but doesn't resemble the other thing that much. Do exactly the same with your mods and I think it will be A-OK :)
You're saying that the system is flexible. I'm saying that it's either overlooked or even if it's allowed then just wait until one of that mods will cause some storm between Blizzard and given franchise rights owner. Just because killing occurs doesn't mean that it's allowed ;)
There is so much things in this world, so much words to describe mod/units that I don't even know how anyone can use copyrighted or not Blizzard's franchise. I mean, I don't get it. Why do you risk removing your mod, after all that hard work you've put into creating it? Design your mod in a way, that it won't bring ANY doubts. I wouldn't count on leniency :)
Good comparison: Star Wars' AT-ST
Warhammer 40k's Dreadnought
and StarCraft II's Viking
The resemblence is there but I don't see lawsuits flying around. You can design something that looks somehow similar but doesn't resemble the other thing that much. Do exactly the same with your mods and I think it will be A-OK :)
The problem is that if you're going for a certain kind of flavor, then names, settings and etc. matter immensely. None of this would be as much of a problem though if Blizzard allowed us to play downloaded maps without having to go through the editor.
Age of Empires? Aeon of Eternity? Anagrams offer Escape?
Ever noticed how the terratron resembles both transformers and the zord from power rangers. Or the various copyrighted models in the one junkpile including the enterprise from startrek, battlestar galactica and voltron?
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Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
By saying AoE I meant Age of Emipres. Say it's Age of Knights and there are knight and sounds from Age of Empires then I'd cut it. To be precise ;)
Hard not to notice that terratron resembles Transformers since it was even voiced by the same actor who did voice for Optimus Prime. But that's another story, it's Blizzard's doing, not modders. April Fools right?
Gentlemen,
I'm getting mixed responses from past threads all over the forum concerning Blizzard's policy dealing with custom content. I know things like music that are easily identifiable are grounds for penalty, and I know at least one person who's map was removed because it contained third-party audio tracks. What about custom models? I received permission from the creator of several models to use for SC2, but getting by Blizzard is another issue. Now, these models strongly resemble 'content' from a franchise that is while deceased, the company that owns it is still up and about. They are however not the authors of the models.
So the question then is, can Blizzard book you and/or your map on models that resembles content from a non-blizzard franchise? Can you get booked on basing your map on a franchise with names and lore from said franchise used in combination with original models? Someone a while back made available two models of ships from Halo. Has anyone been booked when they used those models in their game and named the units based on Halo lore?
I've also contacted Blizzard's legal department and am waiting to hear the official word. That aside, I would like to hear what you guys know or have experienced in regard to this. Or, if there is a more obvious and informative thread on this, point me toward it.
Thanks.
Short answer, Yes!
Im making map called Age of Knights (medieval themed, Age of Empires reminder) and that map had other games Sounds and still have some models. And Blizzard was interested in featuring the map but they where concerned abbout that content so here is some quotes from the manager of that sort:
"Also, very important question, we noticed you have imported sounds for the units – are these original sounds or are they imported from other games? If we were to feature your game in the future, we wouldn’t be able to if it had any models or sounds or other assets from other games. "
Next response after I said from where all those assets are from.
"We would definitely need to remove the textures from the other games to feature it in the future but you can keep all of the Blizzard textures from WoW and Warcraft III.
I understand it’s a bummer to lose the sounds. Perhaps you can use sounds from War3 or WoW? Maybe there are aspiring voice actors who’d love to offer their talent? =) "
Hope that helps.
Honestly, I would wait for this. We can speculate a lot, but ultimately Blizzard will handle it the way they do. But I assume you are planning to do that anyway.
From what I heard (and in my opinion), any assets you created yourself, you have permission to use by the author, or are available for public use based on but not ripped of any non-Blizzard franchise should be fair game. Specific names and lore and stuff might be problematic, however, that would probably need to be accommodated by Blizzard. There are a lot of maps out there using names and lore of other franchises, though (a buddy created a WH40k map, no assets but obviously all the unit names, gameplay mechanics and stuff, didn't get taken down yet :D).
@TwoDie: Go Interesting. It does help, thanks. My map does include a few imported sounds too, but not whole music tracks. With regard to your uploaded sounds, did Blizzard ask you to remove the sounds for the map to be featured, or altogether regardless of being featured? That's a pretty important distinction. It may be for some, but whether or not my map is featured is not important to me, and it also may not be important to future inquirers either.
Exactly why it's sketchy, yeah. There are a few super smash brothers/dragonballz/halo maps around that use names from lore without penalty (that we know of), but I do understand if a unit is using the lore name, AND the close resembling custom model, AND custom imported sounds, AND in a map that features tonnes of content from that specific franchise, would be judged upon a bit more harshly.
Of course the word from Blizzard's legal department would be the final word on this. I'll update this thread when I get the response, as to set a precedence.
@TheLostAzn: Go
I didnt had music in map but sounds was used so threat was near.
Main messages about the usage of assets and map existance that uses them I quoted already. I think eventually you may encounter the problems of used sounds, assets. Best way is to avoid that.
@TheLostAzn: Go
Once you get a definitive reply, this topic should then be Pinned.
As far as general copy right law goes music is the killer since if has such a strong legal backing due to the industry surrounding it. Rest are up to the owning parties to raise objection.
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg
Blizzard games had custom contents since the time of Warcraft 2. Diablo 1 had mods with custom gfx and images, the same Diablo 2. Even Starcraft 1 had some cool Total Conversions/custom gfx. Warcraft 3 had hundreds of custom models/skins/sounds/spells/terrains etc...so I think in SC2 is 100% legit. If custom models would have been non legit, then SC2 would have been released without the option to import the models.
I don't get why there are even slight doubts on what's allowed and what's not. Blizzard's rules are clean and simple.
If one has any doubts on using given piece of content then just one shouldn't use it. If it resembles Halo, AoE or any other franchise then just do whatever you can to make it not resemble the other franchise.
First: Change the name. If I were responsible for taking down the mods, I'd cut the Warhammer mod as well as AoE mod, just for the name. And! Just for being safe and sound and showing others that the situation is still under controll.
Second: do your own models OR use models that you are 100% certain that can be legally used.
The rules are not there to protect the mod uploader/creator. They are there to protect Blizzard from legal actions against them for franchise rights owner.
Some time ago there was a request to extract models from a game which name I don't remember now. The response of person asking for this, after being reminded of the rules was just "I don't care, I just want it".
Well, if we (the community) go that way, I don't think it will be a nice place where we'll reach :)
The other thing about changing the models so that they don't resemble other franchises would be to stay honest. I mean, there is a law which says that after certain amount of percentage changed the content is not similar, therefore a new creation. Now I call that bullcrap :) Use StarCraft's, your own or friendly modeler's models.
@TheTorrasque: Go Yes, but he is talking about models that resemble things for other franchises, like a Goku or Naruto model, and its totally different from importing a modified Firebat or a simple a cube. Blizzard definitely won't feature a map that uses those models. I believe they wouldn't even if it was just the units' names.
And they're right, the best thing they can do is to stay away from trouble.
@Leruster: Go
Blizzard's policy concerning third party content is very far from clean and simple.
The fact that we have maps with names and themes from copyrighted franchises like Halo or Super Smash Brothers that are allowed to exist on the service proves that there is flexibility in the Starcraft II Custom Game Acceptable Use Policy that states "the content you (I) use to create any Custom Games or upload to the Service, nor the compilation, arrangement or display of such content (collectively, the “User Content”), infringes or will infringe any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or other intellectual property right of any third party." Clearly the presence of original custom models that resemble content from franchises pushes on the barrier of tolerance a little more.
I'm not concerned in the least whether a questionable map can be featured, as long as it's allowed to exist and be played. I'm also not overly concerned with the implications of the official word, since there is apparently room for leniency. Anyone can easily change the name of their map and units to something original as to avoid the problem, but the similarity between original custom models and the content they're supposed to take after cannot be changed as easily - especially since Blizzard holds the final word on its judgement.
Here are a few links for food for thought:
SC2's End User License Agreement
SC2 Custom game Acceptable Use Policy (a.k.a. Galaxy Map Editor custom game rules)
@TheLostAzn: Go
You're saying that the system is flexible. I'm saying that it's either overlooked or even if it's allowed then just wait until one of that mods will cause some storm between Blizzard and given franchise rights owner. Just because killing occurs doesn't mean that it's allowed ;)
There is so much things in this world, so much words to describe mod/units that I don't even know how anyone can use copyrighted or not Blizzard's franchise. I mean, I don't get it. Why do you risk removing your mod, after all that hard work you've put into creating it? Design your mod in a way, that it won't bring ANY doubts. I wouldn't count on leniency :)
Good comparison: Star Wars' AT-ST
Warhammer 40k's Dreadnought
and StarCraft II's Viking
The resemblence is there but I don't see lawsuits flying around. You can design something that looks somehow similar but doesn't resemble the other thing that much. Do exactly the same with your mods and I think it will be A-OK :)
The problem is that if you're going for a certain kind of flavor, then names, settings and etc. matter immensely. None of this would be as much of a problem though if Blizzard allowed us to play downloaded maps without having to go through the editor.
@Leruster: Go
Age of Empires? Aeon of Eternity? Anagrams offer Escape?
Ever noticed how the terratron resembles both transformers and the zord from power rangers. Or the various copyrighted models in the one junkpile including the enterprise from startrek, battlestar galactica and voltron?
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg
@DrSuperEvil: Go
By saying AoE I meant Age of Emipres. Say it's Age of Knights and there are knight and sounds from Age of Empires then I'd cut it. To be precise ;)
Hard not to notice that terratron resembles Transformers since it was even voiced by the same actor who did voice for Optimus Prime. But that's another story, it's Blizzard's doing, not modders. April Fools right?
@Leruster: Go
Copyright lawyers have no sense of humour.
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg
@DrSuperEvil: Go
Also, modders shouldn't be concerned by that. Blizzard did this.
@Leruster: Go
The Terratron was voiced by Glenn Rane, one of Blizzard's artists. Says as much on Sons of the Storm I think... somewhere (I forget the precise page)
'course, I don't know if he has also done some voice acting work outside of Blizz games...