Copyright Issues on Modded Buildings?

[NorthStars]

I noticed on the buildings I've been seeing so far, people seem to be avoiding using the actual corporation names (Walmart, McDonald's, Carrefour, Tim Hortons, etc.)

Is there a reason for this? Is there some kind of a rule against sharing real brand names, or have I just been looking at the wrong things?

To me, I wouldn't expect that appearing in a game like this would cause any issues for a corporation... it's a little bit of free advertising for them.

Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[redjericho3]

There is no rule against it from Paradox, but most people are following the "better safe than sorry" route. It is unlikely that any real corporation would care at all, but I can't say it has never happened.

So basically people could make them, but people are choosing not to, *just in case*.

 

[NorthStars]

There is no rule against it from Paradox, but most people are following the "better safe than sorry" route. It is unlikely that any real corporation would care at all, but I can't say it has never happened.

So basically people could make them, but people are choosing not to, *just in case*.

I guess we could make 'em and just use them locally in our own cities without sharing those on Steam. That would be too bad... my plan was to share anything I make, but...

 

[Zed68]

Hmmm... I hope to see a Wolmart or a Mac Ronald grow in my cities...

Anyway, there are thousand of buildings with actual brand names available for SC4 and I never heard about any copyright problem. It's not like modders try to sell hamburgers, it even is free advertising for those companies.

 

[NorthStars]

Anyway, there are thousand of buildings with actual brand names available for SC4 and I never heard about any copyright problem. It's not like modders try to sell hamburgers, it even is free advertising for those companies.

Makes me happier to see that. If they did it there, I'm sure it will happen here. For me, it's just not realistic if it's a knock-off name... like buying a fake Rolex. (And yes, I know the whole game is a fake creation of a city... but that's not the point...) I want real car dealerships, real restaurants and real stores. Just my two cents.

 

[Inge Jones]

If I want to use something copyright or branded in the game I contact the company for permission. After it's explained what it's for, and that its just shared for free with some fellow players (well that's what we're doing isn't it?) they're usually pretty laid back. I respect them if they say no.

 

[taylorb]

I would be surprised if any company had an issue with it. Where I see a problem is if policies come in to play, like Walmart crushing small businesses or McDonalds being taxed higher or protested for food quality. Other then that they would probably be happy for the publicity to be put in a game and shared with thousands for free.

 

[SymphonyX4]

Everyone should check their countries applicable laws, but in the US, this is all acceptable under Fair Use Laws and the First Amendment Right to free speech. the laws are different for corporations or individuals who seek to make profit from such material which may have trademarks or copyrights.

 

[NorthStars]

I would be surprised if any company had an issue with it. Where I see a problem is if policies come in to play, like Walmart crushing small businesses or McDonalds being taxed higher or protested for food quality. Other then that they would probably be happy for the publicity to be put in a game and shared with thousands for free.

That's what I was presuming... if some corporation were in some way presented in a manner that reflected negatively on them (like the policies thing you mention causing a company like Walmart to be seen as a villain in the game), then I could see it being a theoretical case of libel (albeit a petty example of such). However, if all we want is to present nice-looking cityscapes in which their company is represented as being a part of the urban mix (and that's all most of us would want to do), I would think they'd see that entirely positively. What's more, even from a theoretical perspective, I don't see that as any different than a person showing a picture of themselves in front of a McDonald's on their Facebook page... it's just a different representation and medium.

Inge Jones, I appreciate what you are saying, but may I ask what kinds of companies you have contacted for permission? My experience with massive corporations (the type I'd want to be emulating in my buildings) is that they are often very afraid of saying "yes" to anything unusual... it's very hard to connect with a human being high enough up in the food chain who has enough clout to give permission for anything. Have you actually been able to crack the front door of big companies for this type of purpose? If so, how long does that usually take?

 

[Chuckybear]

As long as the creator is not profiting from any well known company logo, then it's all good.
It's when someone profits from their reputation/ brand recognition , without prior consent, that companies have issues with.

 

[hellmonkey]

As long as the creator is not profiting from any well known company logo, then it's all good.
It's when someone profits from their reputation/ brand recognition , without prior consent, that companies have issues with.

Pretty much this. It falls under fair use or something like that. As long as you are not selling their name, or something with their name on it, you should be fine.

 

[Forkboy2]

It's a trademark issue more than copyright issue. I don't understand all the legal mumbo jumbo, but my understanding is that they have to enforce their trademarks or risk losing them.

 

[Linotype]

In the other side... There's any problem building an asset based on real buildings? I mean famous monuments and buildings, or unknown -just any building from your neighborhood that you like-, and building it by ground (not using an 2D or 3D asset from Google).

 

[NickSlip]

It's been done countless times in SimCity 4, so I don't see why there'd be a problem in this case.

 

[Sn3ipen]

I can't see any reason a company would mind having their logos on buildings. Free advertising. After all corporations loves having their logos everywhere. Only exception i can think of would be if you made McDonalds lower the health in your city or something really negative.