NS2, copyright and fanart-for-profit
Skyfish
Norway Join Date: 2013-11-23 Member: 189525Members
Norway Join Date: 2013-11-23 Member: 189525Members
Hi, I'm relatively new here so please excuse me if I missed something.
I'm curious what is Unknown Worlds policy on the fans selling of (100% original, drawn) fanart?
I want to create fanart of the alien life forms and put them on merch on red bubble. I'm at the moment a "starving artist" trying to build a name for myself on the internet. So i'm very interested in trying to fill a niche in the (lack of) ns2 merch while also being able to draw fanart of my favourite life form in my favourite game. I know Red bubble only results in pocket change, but it's a start, and the only way to survive as an unkown artist on the web is fanart really, it's a bit problematic since more often than not, it's technically illegal. Hence why I'd like to ask for permission to put a lerk on a red bubble shirt. All my assets only, no logo, no names.
I see there is another artist on Red bubble who sells ns2 skeleton shirts, and Unknown worlds have so far proven themselves to be very kind to the community in terms of modders and comp players, so I hope you do the same for visual artist
I'm curious what is Unknown Worlds policy on the fans selling of (100% original, drawn) fanart?
I want to create fanart of the alien life forms and put them on merch on red bubble. I'm at the moment a "starving artist" trying to build a name for myself on the internet. So i'm very interested in trying to fill a niche in the (lack of) ns2 merch while also being able to draw fanart of my favourite life form in my favourite game. I know Red bubble only results in pocket change, but it's a start, and the only way to survive as an unkown artist on the web is fanart really, it's a bit problematic since more often than not, it's technically illegal. Hence why I'd like to ask for permission to put a lerk on a red bubble shirt. All my assets only, no logo, no names.
I see there is another artist on Red bubble who sells ns2 skeleton shirts, and Unknown worlds have so far proven themselves to be very kind to the community in terms of modders and comp players, so I hope you do the same for visual artist
Comments
Some direct links to related pages:
http://unknownworlds.com/about/
http://unknownworlds.com/ns2/copyright/
http://unknownworlds.com/ns2/terms-of-use/
http://unknownworlds.com/video-policy/ (doesn't help with retail questions)
I'd contact Hugh regarding this though, he can surely clear up any questions you have
"Unknown Worlds welcomes your comments, feedback and input regarding Unknown Worlds products through this Site. However, Unknown Worlds does not accept or consider any material for use in any of its products (including, but not limited to, demos, sketches, drawings, notes, stories, and game or character ideas), that has not been specifically requested by Unknown Worlds. Accordingly, Unknown Worlds asks you not to send us any such materials. If you ignore this request, any such materials, comments, suggestions or other information submitted by you to Unknown Worlds will become the property of Unknown Worlds, with Unknown Worlds exclusively owning all known and hereafter existing rights to such materials, and you acknowledge and agree not to contest Unknown Worlds’ rights to use and disclose such materials in any manner and for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to you."
My understanding of this states that if I were to create a fanart and post it on their forum, they actually gain 100% rights to that work without having to even notify me. This means that anyone who have already posted artwork to this site has lost the rights to their work.
I love unknown worlds but with terms like these, there is no way I will upload art to this forum. I am not sure if you bypass these terms by hosting the art somewhere else and linking it in the forum, that depends on the interpretation of "send us such materials"
I assume that this was written to prevent people from claiming that Unknown Worlds stole their ideas somehow, but the vague writing could essentially prevent all fan work. Does this mean I have to explicitly state every time I create NS2 related material, I have to state that "I am not submitting this for consideration in game" or does that do nothing? I am no lawyer, this lawyer jargon is confusing.
Wow. This is some heavy stuff. I would not have expected this from UWE.
A smart company will always try and run a clean business to avoid conflicts altogether.
I am pretty sure that if UWE wants to use your fanart for something they will ask nicely, whatever their terms state.
I guess they probably hired some third party to write those conditions, because I seriously can't imagine any of the devs writing something like this.
Because honestly, it reads like "So you make fanart? Fuck you. Give."
I really really want to participate as an artist in the ns2 community but I can't bring myself to it unless I have written security from the devs. Either they could rephrase these terms, or give out a second message saying that fanart and such are excluded and clearly define what is considered acceptable use of their assets and what is not, and how they can use our assets (fanart etc) and how they will not. (i think it would be fair for them to display our work as they wished, its fanart after all!)