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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
 Posted - 07 May 2008 : 14:58:23
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My friend and I are creating a RP site, and I was thinking a portion devoted to D&D. My question is, in order to display D&D news and the like, do you have to ask Wizards permission?
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The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5696 Posts |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 14:43:42
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| Also depends on if it is used for commercial gain, specific items being posted, etc... but definatley contact WotC to be sure. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2008 : 23:06:42
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Just took another journalism course and can say this much: "news" is public domain.
As in: "Today, Joe Blow of Company X announced "The Big Book of Undead Platypi" will be released on Octember 21st, 2008. It will be an XXX-page rulebook with color illustrations drawn by famous artist X and written by classy designers Y and Z, will be readily usable with D&D 3.5e and compatible with 4e, and will have sections on [specific list]."
All of that is fair game. Different countries allow different (almost always SMALL!) amounts of quoting text from a product (phrases of a few words are usually fine, in quotation marks, as in: this product makes extensive use of a new game mechanic called "hit points," which are "[insert single sentence of definition/explanation from product]."
Quoting more than that, and ANY use of artwork beyond a simple reproduction of the cover (which is already allowed by custom in the EU and North America, because online ordering sites from publishers, Amazon, etc., and long-established trade magazines such as Previews and Game Trade, do this), must have written permission from the copyright holder (the publisher).
You can review and comment on products to your hearts' content (though of course libel laws apply, too!).
When in doubt, as Alaundo says, ask permission. [Note: Wizards' Customer Service can't give you permission; they would have to refer you to someone in the company who can.]
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Copyright question.
