View Full Version : I Am Sick Of Renaming My Character And Stupid People !
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 02:23 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 02:37 PM
I totally understand your frustration but you have to look at it from Cryptic's point of view. There is the potnetial for very expensive lawsuits if Cryptic doesnt make an effort to prevent the use of character names/images that are the intellectual property of another company in this game. Win or lose such litigation is expensive.
IP infringing characters are against the rules not because anyone wants to be mean or prevent you from having fun but because we want this game to not have its resources diverted away from development to protect against lawsuits.
As long as Cryptic ahs such a policy, and have a system in game for enforcing it, they can claim to be making every effort to prevent IP infringement and so are protected, to a degree, from being sued.
At this point Cyrptic has no connection to Marvel, in fact a Marvel Universe Online is being developed by another company. Disney, owners of Marvel, would ahve a vested interest in causing CO to fail in order to reduce competition in the niche superhero MMO market. Giving them an opening to take a shot at Cryptic isnt doing CO a favor.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 02:43 PM
...
I really don't know what to say.
You can't make a copyrighted character made from another company in anyway shape or form less of a parody or else cryptic will be sued for copyright infringement.
I mean, what would you do if you made something and someone turned around and stole it?
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 02:46 PM
If you don't want to be reported for IP infringement, then maybe it would help not to infringe upon the IP of other companies.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 02:55 PM
I totally understand your frustration but you have to look at it from Cryptic's point of view. There is the potnetial for very expensive lawsuits if Cryptic doesnt make an effort to prevent the use of character names/images that are the intellectual property of another company in this game. Win or lose such litigation is expensive.
IP infringing characters are against the rules not because anyone wants to be mean or prevent you from having fun but because we want this game to not have its resources diverted away from development to protect against lawsuits.
As long as Cryptic ahs such a policy, and have a system in game for enforcing it, they can claim to be making every effort to prevent IP infringement and so are protected, to a degree, from being sued.
At this point Cyrptic has no connection to Marvel, in fact a Marvel Universe Online is being developed by another company. Disney, owners of Marvel, would ahve a vested interest in causing CO to fail in order to reduce competition in the niche superhero MMO market. Giving them an opening to take a shot at Cryptic isnt doing CO a favor.
/signed
Sadly, he is correct... it's not that Cryptic wouldn't love to let you name your characters "Spider-Man" or "Superman", and it's not like they wouldn't love to give us costume parts that would let us look like them...
It's that Marvel and DC wont let them... It infringes on their ability to make a game based on their IP. Why buy their game when you can make Spidey and Supes here?
CoX already had a lawsuit from Marvel on the issue that their comic characters were being reproduced in CoX; Cryptic is trying to avoid that... hence the restrictions on names and appearances, as well as the lack of some obvious costume designs and parts in the costume creater...
To quote the bard "The law is a ass"...
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 02:56 PM
/signed
Sadly, he is correct...
To quote the bard "The law is a ass"...
lol i'm a girl
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 03:02 PM
lol i'm a girl
Sorry for the confusion, the "he" in my post refers to Ashen X.... he is correct in his post...
The only real option you have is name variations... "Mystiq" "Lunastar" "Spydr Grrl"... and even that might get you some scorn, especially in the RP community...
Some folks see it as a lack of imagination; they wouldn't recognize an homage or tribute if it bit them in the ego...
*jams <shift> to block impending RP assault*
:D
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 03:18 PM
lol i'm a girl
There are no girls of the interwebz............
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 03:42 PM
Why not just go with Moonstar, Mirage, or Psyche? Moonstar is actually filtered? Lame.
I understand your frustrations (I really wanted to rip off X-Statix's U-Go Girl), but there's always a work around.
My Typhoid Mary homage was named Mary Zero, and aside from basing her costume on an appearance in Maleev's Daredevil run, nobody ever put the name, Mutant Zero reference, or sword and fire powers together.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 04:35 PM
Why not just go with Moonstar, Mirage, or Psyche? Moonstar is actually filtered? Lame.
I understand your frustrations (I really wanted to rip off X-Statix's U-Go Girl), but there's always a work around.
My Typhoid Mary homage was named Mary Zero, and aside from basing her costume on an appearance in Maleev's Daredevil run, nobody ever put the name, Mutant Zero reference, or sword and fire powers together.
Well, interesting... did some testing...
Moonstar is fine, Danielle Moostar is out...
Mirage is a no-go, but Psyche is good...
Change it up a little and you should be ok... But understand, if the appearance and the name are too close to those associated with the comic character, some jerk... ahem... I mean, "concerned citizen" may still report you, even if the game allows you to make it...
And think about it, sakuma! You're responsible for making a pemanent change to the game! You made "Danielle Moonstar", now it's part of the name filter forever! You can say "I did that!"
That's kinda special, I suppose...
;)
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 05:04 PM
This post has been edited to remove content which violates the Cryptic Studios Forum Usage Guidelines (http://forums.champions-online.com/announcement.php?f=5&a=6) ~Seadgir
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 05:24 PM
Some folks see it as a lack of imagination; they wouldn't recognize an homage or tribute if it bit them in the ego...
Someone creative would find a better name than "Mystiq" for their homage.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 06:06 PM
Why would you want to play a character that was created by someone else, that already has an established background and appearance, when this game gives you the ability to be original and make your own character? Is it that hard to make your own character?
I've never understood the appeal.
It isn't allowed by Cryptic, for legal reasons and I understand that completely. I also completely understand why people ignore someone playing a character like that. Most RPers see it as being lazy or as a lack of imagination (it is) and don't have any desire to play in character with someone who is doing their impression of a pre-existing character. They are especially annoyed if that impression doesn't match up to how they think the character acts or speaks.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 06:12 PM
Posting in epic thread.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 06:18 PM
Intersting i have spotted 2 People from the "Vulgar zone chat" Thread in this one, ONCE AGAIN Sucking the LIFE and FUN right out of this game. Good Job guys. Does it bring you pleasure raining on someone else's parade ?
GOT LIFE ? :confused:
This post has been edited to remove content which violates the Cryptic Studios Forum Usage Guidelines (http://forums.champions-online.com/announcement.php?f=5&a=6) ~Dionaea
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 06:22 PM
Intersting i have spotted 2 People from the "Vulgar zone chat" Thread in this one, ONCE AGAIN Sucking the LIFE and FUN right out of this game. Good Job guys. Does it bring you pleasure raining on someone else's parade ?
GOT LIFE ? :confused:
I'm going to assume that I'm one of them, as I did post there... So I must ask...
Did you actually read my posts here?
*sigh*
/facepalm
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 06:29 PM
I'm sick of seeing knock off characters from people without a creative bone in their body.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 06:37 PM
This post has been edited to remove content which violates the Cryptic Studios Forum Usage Guidelines (http://forums.champions-online.com/announcement.php?f=5&a=6) ~Dionaea
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:03 PM
Why would you want to play a character that was created by someone else, that already has an established background and appearance, when this game gives you the ability to be original and make your own character? Is it that hard to make your own character?
I've never understood the appeal.
To be fair, that's half the fun. My main Amp was heavily inspired by Dazzler character-wise, but power and costume have nothing to do with it. It just sparked the concept, as she's my favorite X-Man. And she's been around in Pen and Paper settings long enough to be entirely her own. My best friend is a huge Booster Gold fan, and one of his character's costumes is a Booster homage, but the character's RP and powerset have little to nothing to do with Booster, it just filled a costume slot.
Alternately, my new Voodoo Priestess, Mama Noir, has had several tells telling me they love the costume and loved the movie.
I have no idea what they're referencing, since aside from some Shadowman (Valiant Comics!) stuffthat vaguely inspired the backstory, the character is wholly a product of my sketchbook and current CO costume options.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:09 PM
Hm. To paraphrase the OP, "I wish people would just let me violate the TOS I agreed to when I started playing this game". While I rarely bother to spend the time to report invalid characters, it's hard to feel any sympathy...
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:18 PM
Intersting i have spotted 2 People from the "Vulgar zone chat" Thread in this one, ONCE AGAIN Sucking the LIFE and FUN right out of this game. Good Job guys. Does it bring you pleasure raining on someone else's parade ?
GOT LIFE ? :confused:
Jesus wept.
/facepalm
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:31 PM
Why would you want to play a character that was created by someone else, that already has an established background and appearance, when this game gives you the ability to be original and make your own character? Is it that hard to make your own character?
I've never understood the appeal.
So growing up you never played cowboys and indians or wanted to be a specific super hero? Can just imagine you running around, a towel wrapped around your shoulders "Mom! I'm not Super Man! I'm above average ability guy! Super Man was made by someone else."
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:33 PM
Hm. To paraphrase the OP, "I wish people would just let me violate the TOS I agreed to when I started playing this game". While I rarely bother to spend the time to report invalid characters, it's hard to feel any sympathy...
This.
You agreed to the terms, whether you read them or not. This is why I tend to report the obvious copyright infringements I see unless they are obviously a parody.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:33 PM
OP, if your sick of renaming your character again and again, then STOP VIOLATING the ToS!, its that simple. You can cry and stomp your feet all you want, but you agreed to the ToS, in which it clearly states you are never, ever, in any way shape or form allowed to create a copyrighted character in this game, for obvious legal reasons. :o
Also, just as an fyi, continued violations of the ToS can result in a ban. Feel free to test it though. :D
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:39 PM
So growing up you never played cowboys and indians or wanted to be a specific super hero? Can just imagine you running around, a towel wrapped around your shoulders "Mom! I'm not Super Man! I'm above average ability guy! Super Man was made by someone else."
The problem is this:
me running around in my superman pyjamas, is just me. It would be hard for me to convince anyone that I was affiliated with DC Comics, or that anything I did was representative of the character.
In the game, you have the tools to easily expose the character you play to situations unbefitting to Superman. Not only that, but this has the potential for more people over a wider area to see it, than me in my superman outfit. Not only that, but you could take a compromising screenshot and pass it off as official MUCH easier than you could a photo of me.
Overall, the risk of damaging the character's name is (apparently) too great. The previous lawsuit should never be repeated, and the TOS agreement is in place to ensure that.
Think of it this way: If a snot-nosed kid living near you is walking around the immediate area, telling people (who know you), that he is pretending to be you, would you really be upset or have a major problem? A reasonable person would not. If that kid got on the internet, and make a myspace and a facebook account using your name, would you be a bit more upset? Remember, if he makes that account, it is public facing. You can't control what he says or posts or does on or with it, and you also can't control who sees it. A reasonable person would be much more upset with this. It's the same thing.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:40 PM
The only time I came dangerously close to reporting someone was when I ran into "Ion Man". You can guess what his costume looked like.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:40 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG26kgZRHIc
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 07:50 PM
The problem is this:
me running around in my superman pyjamas, is just me.
I don't disagree with the TOS at all and understand why it is there, I'm just replying to the guy saying he doesn't understand why someone would want to emulate a hero they admire.
Personally, I love making unique and different heroes but totally understand wanting to make one after your favorite comic hero.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 08:04 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
It's not hard to come up with an original name. Try it. You might think of something you like more than something you lift from somewhere.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 08:10 PM
When making your costume hit the random button
When choosing a name use this:
http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/
Done.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 09:08 PM
Get creative. Make up new heroes. Simples.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 09:18 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.
Those names are trademarked - that means, MArvel In.c OWNS them. You do not. Therefor, you do not have the legal right to use those names. In fact, using them is morally the equivalent of THEFT and/or TRESPASSING.
Perhaps more importantly, it is strictly against the EULA.
So, if your'e tired of renaming your character? STOP USING MARVEL CHARACTER NAMES. Be original, for one split second in your life, and make up your OWN name.
...
PLAY BY THE RULES, and noone will have anything you report you FOR. :rolleyes:
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 10:28 PM
Some folks see it as a lack of imagination; they wouldn't recognize an homage or tribute if it bit them in the ego...
You can make an Homage or Tribute character, that ius 100% clear WHO you're paying tribute to ... without violating copyright or trademark.
Example ... from memory, on the CoH boards, actually: a tribute to Superman.
I've even gone and made a version of him with the CO character creator - the saved costume is attached.
His name is Captain Neutrino; he is the last survivor of an alien race, sent to earth by his parents in order to preserve something of their world from it's inevitable destruction. Sound familiar, so far? Great!
He landed in England .. in County Kent ( :D ), where he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Clarke ( :D again), who promptly hid his quite intact escape pod in a coastal cave below their cottage. The couple gave him the name of Calvin Leonard Clarke, or just "Cal" to his friends ( :D a third time: "Cal L." )
Now, he doesn't have any especial powers of his own ... but as he grew through adolescence, the pod reactivated itself, and built/grew a rather impressive structure under the earth. In this place, he was educated in the language, culture, andmost importantly, technology of the world of his birth. And it is from that technology, that Captian Neutrino would be born.
Every last bit, you see, of it is powered by solar energy - to be precise, by neutrinos captured en masse from the solar wind. (Hence the character name ...). And it is a darned sight more advanced than anything else on Earth - so much so, that Calvin does not feel humanity is ready for much if any of it.
That technology is build into the colorful costume he wears - whose look, in many ways, was inspired by the old Golden-Age comic heroes of nearly a century ago. The suit magnifies his strength by over a thousandfold, allows him to fly, provides life support in any hostile environment, and is nearly impervious to any attack.
(IOW, he's really strong, really hard to hurt, and he flies. Remind you of anyone?)
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 10:41 PM
I don't disagree with the TOS at all and understand why it is there, I'm just replying to the guy saying he doesn't understand why someone would want to emulate a hero they admire.
Personally, I love making unique and different heroes but totally understand wanting to make one after your favorite comic hero.
Sure, who doesn't want to be their favorite superhero. After a while though, it gets kind of lame wanting to be someone elses character all the time. Where's the imagination? I run PnP games and I refuse to let people play direct rip offs of established characters. Homages are cool. Characters that take inspiration from others is fine. You can't play as Iron Man. If I want to know what Iron Man is doing/did, I can read the comics or watch the movie or whatever.
Make your own character.
The point is, in this game (and in real life), you can use your imagination and make a character that is completely your own. With all the options you have and all the choices you can make using your own creativity, why would you want to play someone elses character? It's really lazy, boring and uncreative.
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 10:50 PM
Hmmm very interesting .... You have a problem with F-Bombs and Racial slurs but wishing death upon others by way of a fire is completely acceptable in your warped mind . Wow you have issues man, I hope you live far far away from society where no normal functioning member of the population is threatened by your sick thoughts. Please tell me you are from Iowa or some Nebraska corn bred town.
Do you ever say "It puts the lotion on or it gets the hose again" O my bad you probably never saw that movie because of the adult language used in the film. :D
I will continue to bait you and watch you fall right in, EVERY time...because, you are weak. Just c'mon back with one of your usual completely predictable responses, something about my being a nerd, dork, or what was it last time, "poindexter"? Believe me when I say I take that as proof that the education I worked so hard to defy the odds to get somehow threatens you, otherwise you would have no reason to point it out. My guess is that you're not much older than 15 or 16, you have yet to see the real world, less you would know what hate can do. I feel sorry for you in a way, having no choice but to lash out all the time, so full of anger. But you will know one day, when suddenly find yourself not on the giving end, but the receiving, and I hope it changes you for the better...
Archived Post
03-21-2010, 11:10 PM
You can make an Homage or Tribute character, that ius 100% clear WHO you're paying tribute to ... without violating copyright or trademark.
Example ... from memory, on the CoH boards, actually: a tribute to Superman.
(IOW, he's really strong, really hard to hurt, and he flies. Remind you of anyone?)
I love it.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:30 AM
Here's my .02.
I think its lame to totally rip off someone else's concept, thats just my opinion tho. I wouldn't report them, but thats cause I know those kind of toons don't last. If you like an established hero, use that for INSPERATION. You literally have an endless idea of concepts to create and develop your own heroes.
If you want to just steal ideas and then get angry when you get busted for it, well I don't know what to tell ya. I suggest using imagination and developing your own toons with a personality similar to the real heroes you like.
Example: Void Warrior is inspired by both Superman and Thor, but its my own concept and his background is more war oriented to the point where noone would likely make a connection there.
Take Mystique's concept, but change it and make your own toon. You may find its much more satisfying, fun, and an enjoyable creative outlet.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:35 AM
If you want to play as already created Marvel characters, might I suggest thi (http://marvelultimatealliance.marvel.com/)s instead of complaining when you knowingly violate copyright laws?
You have absolutely no leg to stand on in this argument. You are wrong when you, by your own admission, create a copyrighted character to play in game. The only thing that can protect you is "parody" which is fully protected by law but it must be obvious that it is a para parody and not a copy.
Using the word "homage" does not protect nor forgive your actions.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:38 AM
So growing up you never played cowboys and indians or wanted to be a specific super hero? Can just imagine you running around, a towel wrapped around your shoulders "Mom! I'm not Super Man! I'm above average ability guy! Super Man was made by someone else."
Nobody is making any money from other peoples' intellectual properties when a kid does this.
Invalid argument.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 03:58 AM
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
You're being reported not because you're a RP'er, but because you're breaking the Rules of Conduct (http://www.champions-online.com/rules_of_conduct), specifically 1. (a) (xiii):
Is substantially similar to, or otherwise contains or duplicates any copyrighted work or component of a copyrighted work (including, without limitation, comics, anime, movies or other videogames, and any characters appearing in any of the foregoing);
This includes every example you've given in your first post.
You should also read this (http://www.champions-online.com/node/594793).
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 04:36 AM
I was gonna say something funny like.
"I am sick of reporting characters that are trademarked and stupid people!"
But I decided not to. =) :D
Comeon you know its funny because the person shouldn't be doing it. :D
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 04:55 AM
Be inspired by Marvel to create your own unique character. Make one that would fit into the Marvel universe and interact with the heroes you love.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 05:03 AM
I was gonna say something funny like.
"I am sick of reporting characters that are trademarked and stupid people!"
But I decided not to. =) :D
Comeon you know its funny because the person shouldn't be doing it. :D
Lol...since you didn't post that, don't you feel like you've grown a little as a person?
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 05:07 AM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
what did you expect? even on the beta boards people demanded the right to have any name because....of this. when told they would not be allowed to do so, they said it was just a argument about named reservations, and restated over and over, that names could not be reserved.
let me state over and over, the devs will never, ever allow copyrighted toons. ever. big problem arose over their last game over this very issue. via another company. the game will shut down before they alklow copyrighted characters. so why did people try so hartd to keep names from being reserved? did they think they would get their "way" anyhow?
i hear the devs hang out at the tailors and jet, watching people go by. for this very reason.good luck.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 06:52 AM
This post has been edited to remove content which violates the Cryptic Studios Forum Usage Guidelines (http://forums.champions-online.com/announcement.php?f=5&a=6) ~Seadgir
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 08:07 AM
Bah...
If we count too players who make the same characters (demon/human, very dark heros, pinup girls with nothing to wear and coe.), this debate is endless.
Hopefully, I'm made a Bear heros with Cybernetic arm :).
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 08:23 AM
As many have said if you are tired of being reported, then don't break the rules, this is a trademark issue, Cryptic can get into big trouble if it does not enforce this policy. (This also could include shutting the game down if there are too many violations)
If companies like marvel or dc feel like you are stealing their property and making money off of it, they have to make a case out of it or they risk losing the trademark they've worked to create. Those companies are watching this game like a hawk.
Cryptic released an article about what you can and can not do in regards to parodies and character designs.
The rules are the rules, They make them, you agreed to them, just like you agree to the rules of the road each time you climb into your car or any other law around the world.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 08:30 AM
Another thing to remember, while some names may be ok, the closer the appearance of the character gets to the reference, the more likly you are to have trouble. Especially when you start looking at Marvel super-generic names :). I mean, Enchantress is ok, unless you happen to wear 97% green.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:12 AM
Guess what else ?
You know the real name of Mystique is Raven darkholme,
well they have banned my new name again because of copyright violation.What THE HECK ? :mad:
Now its the real name to ? :(
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:17 AM
Get creative. Make up new heroes. Simples.
I know how to be creative.I have really original toons.But if i am a fan of an x-men or wtv i want to be able to paly with it to.Like you ,you name Avalanche one of your toons.Well its an x-men character.Get my point ?
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:23 AM
The real names are part of the copyright.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:24 AM
Guess what else ?
You know the real name of Mystique is Raven darkholme,
well they have banned my new name again because of copyright violation.What THE HECK ? :mad:
Now its the real name to ? :(
Yes...You can't copy a character that is under a copyright.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:29 AM
I know how to be creative.I have really original toons. But if i am a fan of an x-men or wtv i want to be able to paly with it to.
Well, you can't. Deal with it.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:31 AM
Guess what else ?
You know the real name of Mystique is Raven darkholme,
well they have banned my new name again because of copyright violation.What THE HECK ? :mad:
Now its the real name to ? :(
Because you seemed to miss it the first time around:
You're being reported not because you're a RP'er, but because you're breaking the Rules of Conduct (http://www.champions-online.com/rules_of_conduct), specifically 1. (a) (xiii):
Is substantially similar to, or otherwise contains or duplicates any copyrighted work or component of a copyrighted work (including, without limitation, comics, anime, movies or other videogames, and any characters appearing in any of the foregoing);
This includes every example you've given in your first post.
You should also read this (http://www.champions-online.com/node/594793).
Those names are quite simply off limits. Especially since the names you pick aren't just clever references, but direct copies of fairly well known comic book characters. It doesn't matter if the name you use is the super or civilian name of a character.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:37 AM
It seems successful troll is successful.
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03-22-2010, 09:40 AM
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Ok i get it you dont get the point,but I will laugh when the same thing will happen to you
and you will not even know why.
if you get my point sincerely thank you.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:44 AM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
...so why was stating that your female important to this post? Oh wait, its to get special treatment, good idea, with grammer like that you'll need it ;)
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:44 AM
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Ok i get it you dont get the point,but I will laugh when the same thing will happen to you
and you will not even know why.
if you get my point sincerely thank you.
I'm pretty sure the same thing won't happen to me, because I don't feel the need to copy copyrighted characters.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:47 AM
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Ok i get it you dont get the point,but I will laugh when the same thing will happen to you
and you will not even know why.
if you get my point sincerely thank you.
We get your point.
You are butt hurt because you cannot use the intellectual property of others.
It will not happen to me because I understand the theory behind the practice.
Get as ****y as you want, rules are rules. No amount of you stomping your feet and holding your breath to prove a point is going to change that.
It's akin to making a new cola drink and naming it Coca-cola with red and white packaging because you "enjoyed it when you were a kid".
every person like you is a potential lawsuit for Cryptic. Ergo, every selfish, unimaginative, self-indulgent child like you is putting the future of this game at risk.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:52 AM
Don't get huffy and flippant about it, just be more clever in how you advertise your homage.
Examples of my "infringements", past and present. I take the power concept and then personalize them from there, but I've had comic nerds (like myself) give me the secret nod when we pass:
DC's Ice - Shiver (existed in PnP well before the MMO)
Marvel's Typhoid Mary aka Mutant Zero - Mary Zero
DC's Power Girl - Dynamic Girl (existed well before the MMO)
Marvel's Brother Voodoo - Mama Noir
DC's Cheshire - Toxin
Marvel's Dr. Strange - Baroness Arcana
Top Cow's Witchblade/The Darkness - Noir
Characters I've seen that are pretty easy to recognize, but aren't blatant:
The Gargoyle (Dark Knight Returns Batman, was really awesome)
Bat Shock Insane (Batman, but electro themed. Really neat looking)
Jade Canary
Argent Amazon
Red Scarab
My Angry Wife (best She Hulk ever)
Captain Awesome
Any number of Captain Atoms
No one is faulting you for drawing inspiration, but there's a huge difference between me making my personal Marvel crush Spider-Woman and replicating her exactly, and me making a similar themed character, Spinnerette, with a hint of the real costume, but different color scheme.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:54 AM
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Ok i get it you dont get the point,but I will laugh when the same thing will happen to you
and you will not even know why.
if you get my point sincerely thank you.
X-1/99 are reserved by Marvel for the future projects.....
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 09:57 AM
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Ok i get it you dont get the point,but I will laugh when the same thing will happen to you
and you will not even know why.
if you get my point sincerely thank you.
Could you explain WHY this would happen to me?
Seriously, perhaps if you could explain why this would happen to me, you would understand why it happens to YOU. I don't know how else to approach this...besides the way 8Bithero did...but I certainly don't want to STEAL HIS IDEA. (See what I did there?):D
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 10:06 AM
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Ok i get it you dont get the point,but I will laugh when the same thing will happen to you
and you will not even know why.
if you get my point sincerely thank you.
Except it will NOT happen to the 99.5% of the player base because unlike people as your self, we can understand the reasoning behind the rules in which we agreed to before we started playing this game. Everyone here knows what your saying, but you seem to be completely ignorant of the fact that what you are doing is against the rules.
So if anyone's going to be laughing, it will b us laughing at you as you get reported again and again, and maybe even banned. :D So, perhaps try to be more creative, make a character of your own, or make a homage(do you even know what this mean?) much like the player that created Sharkman as a homage to batman(Cryptic even applauded him for it!).
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03-22-2010, 10:16 AM
...... :(
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03-22-2010, 10:32 AM
Intersting i have spotted 2 People from the "Vulgar zone chat" Thread in this one, ONCE AGAIN Sucking the LIFE and FUN right out of this game. Good Job guys. Does it bring you pleasure raining on someone else's parade ?
GOT LIFE ?
^^^
This post has been edited to remove content which violates the Cryptic Studios Forum Usage Guidelines (http://forums.champions-online.com/announcement.php?f=5&a=6) ~Seadgir
Don't you have a fire to go die in?
Banned?
Now that's a shame :p
Whatever shall we do around here without your intellect and charm... :confused:
...Who was i talking about?
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 10:59 AM
So growing up you never played cowboys and indians or wanted to be a specific super hero? Can just imagine you running around, a towel wrapped around your shoulders "Mom! I'm not Super Man! I'm above average ability guy! Super Man was made by someone else."
The difference. You running around pretending to be Superman as a child or even as an adult is not a copywrite violation because you are not doing so for profit or gain. It's also the reason Fan Fiction/Art or films do not get sued, it is not for profit.
Cryptic is a profit based company, having any copywritten characters is a very bad thing in their game. They got sued before and have to show they make every effort to not allow this to happen.
Personally, I have no issue with homages, or people that use a character as inspiration. I love Archangel and created a character ArchAngel V2.0 who really isn't the X-man character but a robot Angel class that was built for crime fighting purposes. I rarely play him because I haven't liked the powers I chose and I haven't found a good power theme for him. But I love the look of the character. If they introduce staves I might make a Gambit homage, that wouldn't look like him, but might be staff and mental powers.
Let's not forget parody, like The Shark Knight. Perfectly acceptable. In CoX 2 friends had Wuvorine and the Huggernaught, both in their actual costumes but in shades of pink. Was perfectly fine.
The bottom line, you agree to the rules Cryptic set out every time you log into the game. You want to violate those rules, you might go a while till you get caught, but someone will catch you and report you. Do it enough times and eventually they will remove your account.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 11:14 AM
Guess what else ?
You know the real name of Mystique is Raven darkholme,
well they have banned my new name again because of copyright violation.What THE HECK ? :mad:
Now its the real name to ? :(
BOTH names are TRADEMARKS of Marvel.
And Trademark is a funny beast - if Marvel becomes aware of an ongoing infringement, they HAVE to file a lawsuit .... or they lose the trademark. There's no "aw, they're not making money, let 'em be" option ... no, with Trademark, it's SUE them, or LOSE it.
And it won't be you, Sakuma, that they come after. It'll be Cryptic. Since Cryptic doesn't want to have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars defending against lawsuits ... you'r enot allowed to violate trademarks within Cryptic's games.
Ok I get it I will start naming my toons with numbers: X-21,X-22 NOT X-23
Hyperbole wins you no points.
I have a character named Metropolis - the one in my avatar, to the left, actually. The word "Metropolis" existed separate of Superman's creation, an predates it (it simply means "Great City"). And in fact, he's inspired by, and something of a tribute to, the classic science-fiction movie Metropolis (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/) (and subsequent remakes, including anime (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293416/)).
Let's see; some of my other character names, and their core framework choice ... "Arsenal of Justice" (Munitions); Patriot (Might); Captain Freon (Ice); The Shaft (Archery); Shade of Grey (TK).
Ok i get it you dont get the point, [...]
Oh, we DO get the point: "you want play X-men characters really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY bad!!"
It's not that we don't get your point ....... the problem is, you won't see our point:
What you want is irrelevant in the eyes of the Law, and the eyes of Cryptic's EULA.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 11:33 AM
Let's see; some of my other character names, and their core framework choice ... "Arsenal of Justice" (Munitions); Patriot (Might); Captain Freon (Ice); The Shaft (Archery); Shade of Grey (TK).
]
Love the Shade of Grey, but Rob Liefeld and Youngblood are gonna keelhaul you for The Shaft ;)
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 11:46 AM
I know how to be creative.I have really original toons.But if i am a fan of an x-men or wtv i want to be able to paly with it to.Like you ,you name Avalanche one of your toons.Well its an x-men character.Get my point ?
I get your point Sakuma. They give you this terrific costume creator that has all but unlimited possibilities and the notion that "what can be done, has been" sets in pretty quick. I mean, it's hard for me not to want to re-create and play with my favorite superheroes/villains like Daredevil, Typhoid Mary, The Hulk or Iron Man. I can't though and instead opt to use a bit of inspiration coupled with my own creativity to come up with a Champion that has the look and powers that I want, but doesn't violate any rules regarding copyrights.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 11:47 AM
:) I doubt there's any similairty beyond the obvious choice of name, since I'd never heard of the character you're referring to. OTOH, if a GM disagrees? No worries, I'm not terribly tied to it.
"Shade of Grey", otoh, is a character born of a name (and visual idea). His "real name" is Alan Grey, he was a test pilot fifty years ago, who was selected to test out a captured alien propulsion system. Ship went "poof", no crash site or wreckage. Fifty years later, Alan wakes up on a park bench with no memory of the intervening half-century ... an alien powersuit ... and superpowers.
The suit is stark white, with a bit of grey thrown in for contrast. And once they allow us to set our powers to BLACK ... that's what all his TK abilities will be. (Heck, I'd take "extremely dark blue", even!) So essentially, as a hero, he's always "in greyscale", visually. :)
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03-22-2010, 11:57 AM
I mean, it's hard for me not to want to re-create and play with my favorite superheroes/villains like Daredevil, Typhoid Mary, The Hulk or Iron Man.
Daredevil tribute: Dark blue or very dark green costume; double-diamond chest emblem in white; character is female, costume includes a blind-fold. Single or Dual swords framework, Acrobatics movement power. Name: "Blind Justice". You have the simple unitard of DD's costume, and an emblem that mirrors the Double-D trademark. You have the whole "blind, yet still kicks butt" theme going. You also tie into DD's role as a lawyer, by strongly suggesting a link to the "Justice is Blind" statue/motif (Justice, blindfolded, holding a Sword in one hand, and a Balance Scale in the other).
^_^ See how easy that was, sakuma?
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03-22-2010, 12:00 PM
it posted twice.
panic.
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03-22-2010, 12:01 PM
Pax is right.
I did something similar for DD, Mary, and White Tiger. Mary translates super well into the game with the power options and variety of street wear.
Also Pax, I'm sure your Shaft is leagues cooler than Youngblood's :) It has to be by default.
Funny, all the comic talk made me think Shades of Grey was a clever take on Nate Grey.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:04 PM
Pax is right.
I did something similar for DD, Mary, and White Tiger. Mary translates super well into the game with the power options and variety of street wear.
Also Pax, I'm sure your Shaft is leagues cooler than Youngblood's :) It has to be by default.
Funny, all the comic talk made me think Shades of Grey was a clever take on Nate Grey.
Ouch, come on Liefield had to have done something good, I mean he's done.... er well maybe......
Okay, well he does religious comics now, thats gotta say something :D
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:07 PM
I actually like Liefeld, he had his own style, and X-Force got me into comics (so many strong female characters in the first run). Plus he's one of the few creators I've met who isn't an arrogant jerk (here's to you Alex Ross and Scott Campbell).
That said, his Youngblood and entire Extreme Studios work of the 90s is best left forgotten.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:11 PM
I actually like Liefeld, he had his own style, and X-Force got me into comics (so many strong female characters in the first run). Plus he's one of the few creators I've met who isn't an arrogant jerk (here's to you Alex Ross and Scott Campbell).
That said, his Youngblood and entire Extreme Studios work of the 90s is best left forgotten.
I agree, he started off good, but quickly went down hill. I enjoyed X-Force and still have those comics. If I remember right, didn't he invent Cable?
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:25 PM
He did indeed. Domino and Deadpool, too, Shatterstar...Feral.../nostalgiasplosion
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03-22-2010, 12:27 PM
Sounds like he was better at creating good characters, than he was at creating good art ... hehehe ...
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03-22-2010, 12:34 PM
Some points:
1) "The law is an ass ...."
Not Shakespeare - Dickens. _Oliver Twist_ to be precise.
2) I have reported someone for a possible IP violation.
Black woman, white mohawk, shiny black pants and vest. I have no idea what the decision was.
3) It's not just the name, it's the combination of name, image, and other details.
Consider there's a Captain Marvel at DC, and Captain Mar-vel at Marvel. They carefully avoided testing the IP issue when it Marvel and DC were independents, and are even less likely to do so now it's Time-Warner and Disney. Even it if's a draw, the legal fees aren't worth it. (Another example: Wikipedia lists at least three "Mirage"s in comics. And that doesn't include the one on _The Incredibles_.)
If I create a "Wolverine" who is six foot eight, Pakistani, female, extroverted, dresses in turquoise, black, and silver etc. my opinion is that Marvel may snarl but they are unlikely to sue. Since I am not a lawyer. please consult with competent counsel before trying this or anything related.
To the OP:
If you want to plsy those characters, you'll have to wait for the Marvel MMO. No one else is going to touch them without a letter from Marvel granting permission ... which we know they won't do.
If you like the characters that much, you'll need to find a Champions (or Marvel Super Heroes or Marvel Universe) pen-and-paper campaign.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:40 PM
I will always report clones and will never feel a pang a guilt for it.
Having lived through CoH and the Marvel suit I don't want Champions to be shut down because someone is an idiot.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:43 PM
Consider there's a Captain Marvel at DC, and Captain Mar-vel at Marvel. They carefully avoided testing the IP issue when it Marvel and DC were independents, and are even less likely to do so now it's Time-Warner and Disney. Even it if's a draw, the legal fees aren't worth it. (Another example: Wikipedia lists at least three "Mirage"s in comics. And that doesn't include the one on _The Incredibles_.)
There actually WAS some legal wrangling between DC and Marvel over the two characters; what we see today is the result of a settlement agreement between the two, because neither was sure who would ultimately win, and an amicable settlement that could be called "a tie", was better for each by a long way than what would happen to the loser, if noone blinked during their game of legal "chicken". :)
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:44 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
Be original.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:51 PM
Inside, I'm crying.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 12:57 PM
I will always report clones and will never feel a pang a guilt for it.
Having lived through CoH and the Marvel suit I don't want Champions to be shut down because someone is an idiot.
You got no life.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:01 PM
You got no life.
So you would rather the makers of the game you play get sued, just so you can use your costume? Seriously? I mean, it not like Marvel didn't do it before. You will lose this argument. You will be reported without remorse.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:03 PM
You got no life.
When you created your first character in this game for the first time, you agreed to abide by Cryptic's ToS.
The fact that you don't seem to understand the concept that you are not allowed to create a character in costume and in name that mimics a character that belongs to another company is pretty sad.
You are either really slow (and if you no offense) , or of a young age. If you are a young age, which is what would make sense, I would either ask your parents or your teachers at school to explain it to you.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:09 PM
There actually WAS some legal wrangling between DC and Marvel over the two characters; what we see today is the result of a settlement agreement between the two, because neither was sure who would ultimately win, and an amicable settlement that could be called "a tie", was better for each by a long way than what would happen to the loser, if noone blinked during their game of legal "chicken". :)
To wit;
DC's Captain Marvel can keep his name, but can not be published under it, hence SHAZAM comics still being the rule.
Marvel owns the right to publishing comic books with a character by that name, and calling the title of the comic Captain Marvel as well. This occurred because marvels' Captain marvel was created, published and trademarked during a time in which the old Whiz comics "Shazam" Captain Marvel was not being published by anyone, and before DC acquired the rights to said character.
Also, despite popular opinion, Whiz Comics actually won in the old lawsuit of DC vs Whiz for Superman vs Captain Marvel [shazam], but Whiz comics had fallen into serious financial difficulties in the sixties, and dies out.. eventually all the old Whiz comics characters were purchased by DC, who eventually integrated them into the DC line. Naturally DC set Superman as the more powerful.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:16 PM
You got no life.
And you lack ethics, morals, and any sense of personal responsibility.
If gaining those three, requires me to lack a life?
Good-bye, life!! :rolleyes:
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:23 PM
This conversation inspired me.
I rolled the 90's into one character and am leveling her now.
Jenny Deathblow, Agent of B.L.O.O.D.W.A.T.C.H.T.H.I.R.T.E.E.N. 7
In 1991, war was beginning. Sent from the future back into the past and now in our present, Avengelyne-23 traveled to the past with the aim of stopping her twin sister clone's plans as well as preventing her own alternate reality mother's rise to power. Armed with the state of the art WETworks (Weapon Emulation Technology Workshop), Avengelyne-23 traveled between the 1990s and her future with her ship Extreme, which contained a sentient computer program called Liefeld, later revealed to be the Satan-powered AI TMAC, who infected her with a symbiotic technovirus fueled by necro power.
Now a slave to the technospawn, her only hope to be free is to kill 666 of the evilest scum to walk the earth before it's necro-engine runs dry, in the vein hope she can challenge God himself and return to the future to go back to the past, where her sister is making robot dinosaurs powered by black sunlight and warping present day reality inch by inch...all while maintaining her secret identity as Jenny Rogers, junior lifeguard at the Rialta Valley Country Club.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:23 PM
Both sides in the name calling are wrong. Can't have an argument by yourself. :D
This conversation inspired me.
I rolled the 90's into one character and am leveling her now.
Jenny Deathblow, Agent of B.L.O.O.D.W.A.T.C.H.T.H.I.R.T.E.E.N. 7
In 1991, war was beginning. Sent from the future back into the past and now in our present, Avengelyne-23 traveled to the past with the aim of stopping her twin sister clone's plans as well as preventing her own alternate reality mother's rise to power. Armed with the state of the art WETworks (Weapon Emulation Technology Workshop), Avengelyne-23 traveled between the 1990s and her future with her ship Extreme, which contained a sentient computer program called Liefeld, later revealed to be the Satan-powered AI TMAC, who infected her with a symbiotic technovirus fueled by necro power.
Now a slave to the technospawn, her only hope to be free is to kill 666 of the evilest scum to walk the earth before it's necro-engine runs dry, in the vein hope she can challenge God himself and return to the future to go back to the past, where her sister is making robot dinosaurs powered by black sunlight and warping present day reality inch by inch...all while maintaining her secret identity as Jenny Rogers, junior lifeguard at the Rialta Valley Country Club.
That is so awesome, brilliant and inspiring. If you were in the Seattle area I would buy you a beer just for that background.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:25 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
I know what else to say: Learn to read.
You agreed to abide by the rules when you breezed past the EULA whether you actually read it or not. Tough luck. I don't think you'll find much sympathy here.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:32 PM
some names cannot be copyrighted. like old gods. like thor. however, the exact image and backround story can still ne tyou trouble. hope this helps.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:36 PM
You got no life.
Look, you know there are many people here who will sympathise with you - heck, Cryptic probably sympathise with you to some extent. It's a perfectly valid thing to be into some superhero and want to make a homage to them.
But it's not about what we would prefer, it's not about spoiling anybody's fun, it's about what's legal.
Understand this: if Cryptic were to get into a legal battle, that would mean they would have to spend money on defending their case.
If they spend money on defending their case, that means they have less money to keep the game going and making it better.
Please try and understand the logic of it - it's just not worth the risk for any of us: Cryptic, or us the players.
And maybe try and look at it positively, too: ok, you can't make the homage as you would like to, but there are a zillion possibilities out there of a superhero YOU can invent, maybe inspired by your favourites, but with your own unique flavour.
Isn't that going to be even more fun, in the end?
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 01:51 PM
Inside, I'm crying.
So...many...POUCHES!
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03-22-2010, 01:54 PM
I will always report clones and will never feel a pang a guilt for it.
Having lived through CoH and the Marvel suit I don't want Champions to be shut down because someone is an idiot.
Agreed.
I report EVERY copyright violation I see.
Every. One.
No remorse. They can go right to Hades. Infringers are scum and deserve to be banned. Until Cryptic does that, their crap will continue.
I say bring the ban hammer swiftly! Devote a section of the website to banned players that got there from infringement! Make examples from them!
Some people can be taught by words, some need to be kicked around a little. That's some wisdom I picked up in the Army.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:08 PM
Both sides in the name calling are wrong. Can't have an argument by yourself. :D
That is so awesome, brilliant and inspiring. If you were in the Seattle area I would buy you a beer just for that background.
I go every summer; my sister lives out there. I went to...some sort of block party fest thing last July just to see Spinnerette.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:10 PM
Well, I don't know how many times we can try to explain the laws and how it works. Evidently the OP is can not (or WILL not) understand.
A wiser man then me once said: You can bring a horse to water but you can make them drink.
Safe to say, this is the case with this thread. Good luck guys.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:10 PM
Agreed.
I report EVERY copyright violation I see.
Every. One.
No remorse.
And me. :)
Originality's struggling as it is without seeing bad Iron Man clones.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:14 PM
Pretty much what Ryoko says. I love the game, and everything I can get out of it. Last thing i want to sit through is another lawsuit and the possibility the game can be forced to shut down because of a few people who don't think the rules apply to them.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:20 PM
Agreed.
I report EVERY copyright violation I see.
Every. One.
No remorse. They can go right to Hades. Infringers are scum and deserve to be banned. Until Cryptic does that, their crap will continue.
I say bring the ban hammer swiftly! Devote a section of the website to banned players that got there from infringement! Make examples from them!
Some people can be taught by words, some need to be kicked around a little. That's some wisdom I picked up in the Army.
I am hoping you were being satirical, because despite the fact I report obvious clones, your diatribe is excessive. If you are serious, I am amazed you were allowed to carry a gun, let alone join the Army..then again :p
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:43 PM
I go every summer; my sister lives out there. I went to...some sort of block party fest thing last July just to see Spinnerette.
Well you can hold me to it if you visit this summer and care enough for a beer. :cool:
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 02:50 PM
[...] I am amazed you were allowed to carry a gun, let alone join the Army..then again :p
Cervando, the U.S. Army has no standards ... they'll let anyone with a PULSE sign up.
...
I mean, they even let ME in!! :eek::D
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 03:54 PM
31Uniform, what are/were you, Pax?
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03-22-2010, 04:20 PM
31Uniform, what are/were you, Pax?
89D then 31B
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03-22-2010, 04:22 PM
12 Bravo, Combat Engineer ... or I would have been, if I'd not been given an ELS. That's the one failure in my life that I most regret; if I could have taken the pressure better, I think I'd've done reasonably well.
Had a decent life-plan (especially for a seventeen year old kid): enlist, do my 4 years, pile up the ACF and GI Bill money, then go Guard while attending a state school. If military life had agreed with me, go for ROTC, get dropped straight into the POC and enjoy the extra little stipend. Get a comission, finish out my ~20, retire; take a year off, perhaps two (right around NOW, timewise, in fact); then go take a Civil Service test, get a government job somewhere, do another ~20, there.
In the end? Retire at 65, and have not one, not two, but three pension checks (Military, Federal, and Social Security). Spend my "golden years" travelling, taking the grandkids to Disney every summer, and so forth.
...
*sigh* "The best-laid plans of mice and men", and all that.
Still, if my life had gone that way, I'd've never met the woman I'm now quite happy to spend the rest of my life with. And I really can't say I haven't gotten the better end of that exchange, to tell the absolute truth. :) Now if you'll excuse me, I've a sudden urge to go HUG that woman.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 07:16 PM
89D then 31B
Hooah.
/10pushups
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 07:17 PM
*sigh* "The best-laid plans of mice and men", and all that.
Still, if my life had gone that way, I'd've never met the woman I'm now quite happy to spend the rest of my life with. And I really can't say I haven't gotten the better end of that exchange, to tell the absolute truth. :) Now if you'll excuse me, I've a sudden urge to go HUG that woman.
Aww, that's fantastic.
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 07:34 PM
Quite simply, she's the best darned thing that ever happened to me. :)
.... urge to hug ... rising ... again ... :D :D :D
Archived Post
03-22-2010, 08:06 PM
You got no life.
It takes all of 30 seconds. I can spare 30 seconds if it will save Cryptic a lawsuit.
Pretty much what Ryoko says. I love the game, and everything I can get out of it. Last thing i want to sit through is another lawsuit and the possibility the game can be forced to shut down because of a few people who don't think the rules apply to them.
Wow.. It's been a LONG time since someone called me RyokO. Kinda surprising that it still gets my cackles up. :) ( I know you meant no offense and none taken.)
But yeah, people always want to assume the rules don't apply to them. I see it every day. It's very depressing some times.
Wow, that sounded way too emo...
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 05:57 AM
Understand this: if Cryptic were to get into a legal battle, that would mean they would have to spend money on defending their case.
If they spend money on defending their case, that means they have less money to keep the game going and making it better.
(cost of) 1 competent laywer = (cost of) 2-3 competent programmers
I'm not sure what graphics people make these days, but it's probably not too far off.
Much rather pay the programmer and graphics designers ....
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 06:46 AM
To start off, I report anyone (even SG mates) that violates EULA, or that I feel violates EULA. I don't have to give them a warning or say anything to them. I don't have any say in the matter. Ultimately, it's a GM's decision. I report em, and go about my business.
With that said, I've taken the random time to ask a GM exactly how EULA violation applies to stuff. The response I got was pretty straight forward. Basically, any character whose name and bio, bio and costume, or costume and name matches that of an existing, copyrighted character, is violating EULA. Sounds simple enough.
Lets say...you look like Superman, your name is Superman, and you've done the research to post Superman's history as your bio. You would be violating EULA.
My personal test? I made a character which I named Chaos Guardian. He looks a LOT like Knuckles the Echidna from Sonic the Hedgehog games/comics. Knuckles is indeed a Guardian of the Chaos emeralds. No bio. Name references source, appearance matches source (attached a bust pic), no bio. So, being quite sure of myself and the info I was given, I reported myself.
The mail message I received:
Greetings,
Account Name: :rolleyes:
Handle Name: Eerekai
Character Name: Chaos Guardian
Action Taken: Account notated for self report.
Thank you for reporting yourself. At this time we have not found the above listed character to be in violation of our posted policy. We have notated that you have reported yourself should other players submit policy violations regarding this character.
If you would like to review our Costume and Name policy you may do so at: http://www.champions-online.com/support/policies/costume.
Thank you for your understanding,
Cryptic In-Game Support.
Note: This is an automated email message; any replies to this message will not be received.
To take this a step further, I've collaborated with a buddy of mine to make some of our random favorites. His are all muppets, mine sorta range from everything. I made Nemesis Enforcer from oldschool GI Joe for a costume. Character's name? Captain Cosplay. Bio? Something about support (you can look it up if you so choose) I attached a bust shot of him as well.
The point is, that EULA is super easy to avoid. If you need the exact name to be identified, then there's a definite problem with how the toon looks. If your bio matches that of a copyrighted character...then good for you, you're obsessed.
Seriously, if you feel you've been wronged, post a suggestion thread calling for the acceptance of "clones". Be adamant about it. Present a good argument. That last part is key. Cryptic has their argument, and "sued into submission" tends to be pretty high on the "badong" list.
Speak your mind! Use that voice! "Fight the man!"
Good luck.
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 08:26 AM
To ensure that Champions Online is a fun, fair, and safe environment, there are a few basic guidelines that all users are required to abide by in-game when choosing names.
Character Name, Handle, and Super Group Names May Not:
Be designed to impersonate a real life individual or entity
Be the name of any Atari or Cryptic Studios product, character, or employee (This includes Cryptic Game Masters)
Incorporate vulgar, obscene, hateful, defamatory language or imagery
Be derogatory towards racial, ethnical, cultural background, or sexual orientation
Incorporate the name or image of a religious figure or deity
Incorporate any form of religious title (i.e. "The Lord", "Rabbi")
Relate to illegal drugs or activities
Be nonsensical or gibberish (“asdlkfj” or “Jkljkl”)
Advertise any form of website, product, or service
Comprised of partial or complete sentences (e.g., “Welovechicken”)
Be the registered property of any other company
Champions Online offers an incredibly customizable character/costume creator. However, with great power comes great responsibility. We understand that you may want to emulate, mimic or create a copy of your favorite super hero’s costume; we ask you be aware of the following guidelines when creating your champion.
While Creating your Champion's Costume:
You may not create costumes or costume/name combinations that are recognizable as the registered property of any company. (This includes things such as: comics, anime, movies, or video games.)
When creating costume combinations, you may not create the illusion or appearance that you are indecent, obscene, or nude. (We know superheroes can be scantily clad, but they are always appropriately covered.)
If characters are found in violation of this policy it may lead to disciplinary actions against the offending account. This could include suspension from the game or possibly account termination. Any character name or name/costume combinations which are against Cryptic’s Policy will be changed by Cryptic Support Staff.
For the full legal documentation of this policy, please see the Rules of Conduct and our Terms of Use
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 01:16 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
I'm not clear, and not trying to sound mean, but do you not understand the rules or are you suggesting that they should not apply to you? And, I'm not sure insulting other people because you break the rules accomplishes much.
If the names are valid, you need to talk to the CS.
Now, I would never report the names you mentioned. In a million years. Even if you KS'd me. ;p But the solution seems to be to RP someone, your character, that *you* make, not that Marvel made. You may enjoy it more (I would think you would). This character would be *like* Mystique, could be friends, mentor, student, etc - have fun with it. :)
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 06:31 PM
Well, I don't know how many times we can try to explain the laws and how it works. Evidently the OP is can not (or WILL not) understand.
A wiser man then me once said: You can bring a horse to water but you can't make them drink.
Safe to say, this is the case with this thread. Good luck guys.
My version of that is a bit more extreme.
You can lead a horse to water, but drowning it in the trough defeats the purpose.
The horse will drink when it is ready, and no sooner.
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 06:47 PM
I like your version, Rune. :)
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 07:36 PM
i have a fumbles clone from the robot chicken episode. i doubt they trademarked that.
that same toon has a storm trooper costume. that is probably more likely to get me into trouble than fumbles, but since it's only the costume and it's not that great of a stormtrooper clone it might fly.
now i'll be expecting to find some mail on my account telling me to change that toon. and i like that costume so much and the episode was hilarious. i highly recommend it.
Archived Post
03-23-2010, 09:04 PM
Here's a handy test. If you THINK a character might violate the TOS it probably does.
But it doesn't matter if a character is actually copy written. If Cryptic feels it could cause trouble it will be removed. If you suspect it might, then it probably will.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 06:04 AM
Here's a handy test. If you THINK a character might violate the TOS it probably does.
But it doesn't matter if a character is actually copy written. If Cryptic feels it could cause trouble it will be removed. If you suspect it might, then it probably will.
This. Yeah, I returned...I tried something last night and this was the thread to discuss it on...
I with the new hair style dreads and by using the right costume pieces, I made a pretty decent Predator. I saved the costume and then aborted the character creator. Oddly, while it was kind of fun making the toon I felt compelled to run around with it...but just couldn't do it. I just couldn't bring myself to be "That guy". The guy everyone looks at and says: What a rip off artist. The guy who can't even THINK outside the box! (I felt dirty after I deleted the Predator and took a shower as I wept) :cool:
/rant
This took me to a point where I thought: Who cares about violating the ToS? What about violating the laws of free thinking and creativity? When your best idea or your only concept is to steal someone else's work...what does that say about your own thought process?
Ok, if your 13 years old and love the Hulk, you might not think it through, but for an adult to think its "Cool" or "Clever" to run around as the 100th Deadpool I have seen, well, I just don't get it. To me, those people represent the dull witted, unthinking "Masses" that we always refer to when someone gets trampled to death in a Beanie Baby riot or when someone gets shot before Christmas over a Wii because they are sold out.
I understand that some people might want the "Challenge" of duplicating a character they like (I had made a Predator after all), but running around like that...well, not cool on so many levels both legally and morally! Still, I know there are many views on this subject, but ultimately if you like a certain character go buy that game. I own the latest AvP now and its a much better Predator then I could ever come up with in CO!! Why? Because its THE REAL DEAL!!!
Thanks...just had to vent!
/Rant
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 06:15 AM
This. Yeah, I returned...I tried something last night and this was the thread to discuss it on...
I with the new hair style dreads and by using the right costume pieces, I made a pretty decent Predator. I saved the costume and then aborted the character creator. Oddly, while it was kind of fun making the toon I felt compelled to run around with it...but just couldn't do it. I just couldn't bring myself to be "That guy". The guy everyone looks at and says: What a rip off artist. The guy who can't even THINK outside the box! (I felt dirty after I deleted the Predator and took a shower as I wept) :cool:
/rant
This took me to a point where I thought: Who cares about violating the ToS? What about violating the laws of free thinking and creativity? When your best idea or your only concept is to steal someone else's work...what does that say about your own thought process?
Ok, if your 13 years old and love the Hulk, you might not think it through, but for an adult to think its "Cool" or "Clever" to run around as the 100th Deadpool I have seen, well, I just don't get it. To me, those people represent the dull witted, unthinking "Masses" that we always refer to when someone gets trampled to death in a Beanie Baby riot or when someone gets shot before Christmas over a Wii because they are sold out.
I understand that some people might want the "Challenge" of duplicating a character they like (I had made a Predator after all), but running around like that...well, not cool on so many levels both legally and morally! Still, I know there are many views on this subject, but ultimately if you like a certain character go buy that game. I own the latest AvP now and its a much better Predator then I could ever come up with in CO!! Why? Because its THE REAL DEAL!!!
Thanks...just had to vent!
/Rant
100th Deadpool?
Aren't you being a little conservative.
*Note: I ran into a "Predator" named...well, Predator. Little jerk kept freeing passengers from the ice in the Canada Crisis. Reported him with no regret.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 06:59 AM
100th Deadpool?
Aren't you being a little conservative.
*Note: I ran into a "Predator" named...well, Predator. Little jerk kept freeing passengers from the ice in the Canada Crisis. Reported him with no regret.
Must have been a typo...I'm sure there was more then two "0"s in that number!
So...he was a Ninja Predator!
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 07:34 AM
You could always try being original...
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 07:44 AM
Must have been a typo...I'm sure there was more then two "0"s in that number!
So...he was a Ninja Predator!
A Ninja (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3f4xU_FfQ) Predator?
word
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 08:46 AM
Ninja = The Pansies of the world. :D
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 09:35 AM
Ninja = The Pansies of the world. :D
Mongo disagrees. (http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/5p38)
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 09:51 AM
Ninja = The Pansies of the world. :D
I see no ninjas, only hedges.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 10:31 AM
I agree, he started off good, but quickly went down hill.
That's because he ran out of stuff to copy/trace. He's a hack, and a poor one at that.
Deadpool = Deathstroke, btw.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 10:52 AM
That's because he ran out of stuff to copy/trace. He's a hack, and a poor one at that.
Deadpool = Deathstroke, btw.
Very true, the concept of Deadpool was so that they could simply mock Deathstroke. Deadpool was kind of born of a joke and turned out to be more popular then the character being parodied. Well, more popular imo...although I suppose if you look at the differant monthly issues Deadpool has or is featured in...prolly out weigh Deathstroke's sales.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 12:02 PM
Very true, the concept of Deadpool was so that they could simply mock Deathstroke. Deadpool was kind of born of a joke and turned out to be more popular then the character being parodied. Well, more popular imo...although I suppose if you look at the differant monthly issues Deadpool has or is featured in...prolly out weigh Deathstroke's sales.
One was in a movie....that makes him more popular.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 12:06 PM
One was in a movie....that makes him more popular.
He was popular way before he was butchered in a crappy movie. (Did ya see what I did there? ;) )
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 12:42 PM
I had a character in CoX named Juggernit since the game went live. I re-made him as a brute and had him about a year on the villian side. Zero connection to the Marvel character, not even a homage. One day I log in and he is defualted. I contacted support, pled my case and they told me it didn't matter: if your character name has even part of a name that was owned you are SOL. No exceptions. So I cancelled my accounts and gave my stockpile of money and purples to my guildies.
So far I haven't seen CO have the same draconian mindset, the OP Should be thankfull.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 12:56 PM
He was popular way before he was butchered in a crappy movie. (Did ya see what I did there? ;) )
Lol, aye, nice job! And yes, it was a pretty craptastic movie.
Edit: Also, Deadpool is slated to get his OWN movie...its in the works. Even if they don't make it...the consideration alone is enough to say: Hey, he's more popular!
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 01:22 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
Maybe you're very young or just young at heart.
Archived Post
03-24-2010, 03:38 PM
Hell, deathstroke the terminator was called... the terminator before the Terminator movies came out even.
And personaly, screw deadpool, he still IS a joke.
Deathstroke is in Mortal Kombat Vs. DC.
I don't seem to recall Deadpool being in Marvel vs. Capcom 1 or 2. Thats two games deadpool failed to be cool enough for.
Ps. Copyright infringement is silly, the OP should be ashamed of themself. More ashamed at the lack of ability to understand why its not ok than the infringing.
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 12:01 AM
Something, I noticed while generating a character in City of Heros.
I wanted clawed hands for claw attacks and it would only give me these Wolverine styled claws.
Now, who's fault would that be?
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 12:14 AM
Wolverine isn't he only place that sort of weaponry has existed, though.
Not to mention, having wolverine-style claws, but othewise looking nothing like him? Means you'e not a wolverine clone.
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 06:34 AM
Indeed who would homage wolverine anyway...Not the Mighty Badger that's for sure.
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 06:49 AM
Indeed who would homage wolverine anyway...Not the Mighty Badger that's for sure.
I want to make a Woodchuck Norris
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 06:53 AM
He was popular way before he was butchered in a crappy movie. (Did ya see what I did there? ;) )
Oh I know, I have the comics going way back when. I hated, hated what they did to him. I can only hope that when they do make his full on movie, that they are more true to his storyline.
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 07:04 AM
I want to make a Woodchuck Norris
Ahh but do they have the woodchuck teeth in the CC
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 07:07 AM
Eh, a fuzzy rotund gopher-shaped martial artist woul do the job visually. :)
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 07:08 AM
I heard woodchuck noris's tears can cure cancer.
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 07:42 AM
I heard woodchuck noris's tears can cure cancer.
and Woodchuck Norris can chuck more wood then any woodchuck can chuck wood, I can tell you!
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 09:31 AM
No, Woodchuck Norris doesn't chuck wood. Woodchuck Norris chucks ENTIRE FORESTS. Get it right!
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 09:35 AM
Pokes thread with a stick. "Still hot." :mad:
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 09:54 AM
No, Woodchuck Norris doesn't chuck wood. Woodchuck Norris chucks ENTIRE FORESTS. Get it right!
Lol...too true!
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 03:01 PM
I am huge female fan of the x-men and i name my character like Danielle Moonstar,Mystique and other name like that and always i am being report and need to change my name.GOSH this is a super-hero games you buyed the idea of marvel ! If im a fan of spider-women let me be her in the game and call my character like her,its maybe not even her . :(
But you always make me change the name. Their are like 100000 heroes in marvel are you gonna make me change all the name ?? I guess my new name will be x1235 and you will still change it !
And i am being report alot by i guess no life people because i am a RP player and because of that in the bar caprice.I am being ingore and report just because i try to have fun in the game.Im doing nothing wrong,just being my character.
(sight) I dont know what else to say... :(
Guess what else ?
You know the real name of Mystique is Raven darkholme,
well they have banned my new name again because of copyright violation.What THE HECK ? :mad:
Now its the real name to ? :(
In all honesty a Mystique homage is actually one of the easiest ones to make, in my opinion. She can look like anything or anyone, she's disguised herself as more people than the number of people that know her as Mystique.
If you want to play Mystique just make up another disguise for her and put in her back story that she's jumped universes for a while to escape a problem she's hiding from. She doesn't use her real name when disguising herself as other people so just don't use her name in the story.
You could likely even just tweak the names into something like Daniella Blackholme and as long as she's not a direct copy in appearance it would be an homage not a copy.
Archived Post
03-25-2010, 10:29 PM
Why are you trying to help her break the terms of service?
Archived Post
03-26-2010, 12:45 AM
Helping someone make an Homage isn't helping them break the TOS.
That said, what Saldan is describing is NOT an Homage, nor a Tribute. It's just a very subtle copy.
...
On that topic, I'll admit to pushign the line a bit, with a character I made last night (and played through the Tutorial). It's not a copy of any existing character, but it DOES rely on someone's setting. I'm not sure if I should keep him, or just giggle at, take a screenshot, and then delete.
Specifically ... who here has seen episodes of Invader Zim ...?
Well, I made Invader Zu'ub (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/GMPax/Champions%20Online/invader_zuub.jpg) (pronounced "zoob"). I just couldn't help myself.
I think I'll let it sit for a few days, before deciding if it's kosher, or if it crosses the line too much. Definitely, it's at least borderline ...
Archived Post
03-26-2010, 05:13 AM
Specifically ... who here has seen episodes of Invader Zim ...?
Well, I made Invader Zu'ub (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/GMPax/Champions%20Online/invader_zuub.jpg) (pronounced "zoob"). I just couldn't help myself.
I think I'll let it sit for a few days, before deciding if it's kosher, or if it crosses the line too much. Definitely, it's at least borderline ...
You are my new hero!
Archived Post
03-26-2010, 06:53 AM
If I make an homage toon I just report myself to see if it's pushing the limits if it comes back clear I roll with it.
Here are a couple that I've self reported and came back clean.
http://www.champions-online.com/character_profiles/973949/view
http://www.champions-online.com/character_profiles/1989381/view
As you can see they aren't hard to recognize but I changed the back stories/costumes a little and the names to protect the innocent and the game that I love.
Archived Post
03-26-2010, 07:09 AM
If I make an homage toon I just report myself to see if it's pushing the limits if it comes back clear I roll with it.
Here are a couple that I've self reported and came back clean.
http://www.champions-online.com/character_profiles/973949/view
http://www.champions-online.com/character_profiles/1989381/view
As you can see they aren't hard to recognize but I changed the back stories/costumes a little and the names to protect the innocent and the game that I love.
Shouldn't trooper have the ray gun?
Does Dan miss everything he shoots at then jump out of exploding vehicles?
Archived Post
03-26-2010, 07:27 AM
Shouldn't trooper have the ray gun?
Does Dan miss everything he shoots at then jump out of exploding vehicles?
Yes the trooper should but I have yet to find one that doesn't remind me of something from the prequels...I hate Jar Jar so much, damn you Lucas...I digress.
Yes Dan survived many things buy jumping out of them just before exploding. He always seemed to have a parachute. And he can hit things the sights were always off; they were sub standard used Russian sniper rifles. I mean who uses a sniper rifle as a front line weapon. Yes it looked cool. Perhaps if MAMBA Commander went with practical instead of what looked cool he'd rule half the world by now.
Archived Post
03-26-2010, 02:24 PM
The bottom line is that you cannot do it under any circumstances, it's against copyright laws.
The CoX series had the same issues, and even had to change the name of one of their signature heroes (Bastion to Citadel) because of this sort of thing, so unfortunately you can either just accept that you cannot make copyrighted characters, or you can spend half your in-game time renaming said characters.
As a side note, when you signed up and registered for CO, it is right in the agreement that you click "I Accept" on.
Archived Post
03-27-2010, 12:51 PM
I have "Jesus"......... best alt ever.
Archived Post
03-27-2010, 01:40 PM
If I make an homage toon I just report myself to see if it's pushing the limits if it comes back clear I roll with it.
That's a good idea, and I've now done just that - with details on just how much of someone else's IP I'm using. I'll give the GMs a few days to get around to such a low-priority ticket, and hopefully it'll pass muster, becasue I'm liking the power choics, too. (Gadgeteering's Energy Builder can be AOE ... I had no idea!!)
Archived Post
03-28-2010, 06:38 AM
I have "Jesus"......... best alt ever.
/sigh.
Yeah...thats SO last year...
Archived Post
03-28-2010, 07:10 AM
That's a good idea, and I've now done just that - with details on just how much of someone else's IP I'm using. I'll give the GMs a few days to get around to such a low-priority ticket, and hopefully it'll pass muster, becasue I'm liking the power choics, too. (Gadgeteering's Energy Builder can be AOE ... I had no idea!!)
UPDATE: Got an answer back, the character is fine. And, even better: when you report yourself for a check-over? That fact gets NOTED on your account "in case another player reports you as well". So, if you take the time to ask "hey, is this okay" ... the fact that you did bother to ask, seems to help shield against possible differences-of-opinion from GM to GM, if you get reported by anyone else, later. Which is pretty cool, IMO.
Archived Post
03-28-2010, 07:16 AM
Yes the trooper should but I have yet to find one that doesn't remind me of something from the prequels...I hate Jar Jar so much, damn you Lucas...I digress.
At Midnight I Will Kill George Lucas With A Shovel. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDCjIjsZp_Y)
Archived Post
03-28-2010, 07:48 AM
Hell, deathstroke the terminator was called... the terminator before the Terminator movies came out even.
And personaly, screw deadpool, he still IS a joke.
Deathstroke is in Mortal Kombat Vs. DC.
I don't seem to recall Deadpool being in Marvel vs. Capcom 1 or 2. Thats two games deadpool failed to be cool enough for.
Ps. Copyright infringement is silly, the OP should be ashamed of themself. More ashamed at the lack of ability to understand why its not ok than the infringing.
Being in a Mortal Kombat game these days isn't the sign of being cool, it's the sign of you're scraping the barrel.
Archived Post
03-28-2010, 08:13 AM
Why are you trying to help her break the terms of service?
Helping someone make an Homage isn't helping them break the TOS.
That said, what Saldan is describing is NOT an Homage, nor a Tribute. It's just a very subtle copy.
...
I admit I'm a little ashamed of myself, but just trying to help someone be happy with their character. It might be bending the rules a little but I did specifically mention not to use the same name or appearance.
I suppose if I had worded my suggestion to be create a female character named something like Dani Blackhouse that happened to be a shapeshifter it would have sounded like more of an homage than a copy.
I have no desire to see copies or clones in the game, but I see no problem in helping point someone in a direction that will make them and everyone else happy.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 03:46 AM
lawsuits aside, i made a Mindslayer and got a bad name report...
thats a cryptic char, made in a cryptic game...
making a new character now, the word Shade is blocked...
should we all just call out characters numbers? since we cant seem to name them anything else :p
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 06:09 AM
I have yet to have a problem naming characters when I'm not trying to name them something that already exists. Have you tried being original?
Also, bad necro thread!
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 06:40 AM
I have yet to have a problem naming characters when I'm not trying to name them something that already exists. Have you tried being original?
Coming up with names that are safe _and_ good is harder than it sounds. See some of the lame names that have come out of Marvel, DC, and others over the years. Let's draw he line where it needs to be drawn, and maybe a teeny bit further for safety.
Cryptic could help by publishing an up-to-date list of names which have been banned tagged with why. Make it link; hang it off the Acceptable Use page.
Also, bad necro thread!
Heh.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 07:10 AM
I have yet to have a problem naming characters when I'm not trying to name them something that already exists. Have you tried being original?
Also, bad necro thread!
Blatantly stealing a copyrighted name is a bad thing but hopefully names that are very general or vague aren't blocked. Some people don't know all of the obscure Marvel characters and can mistakenly give their character the same name.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 07:15 AM
Blatantly stealing a copyrighted name is a bad thing but hopefully names that are very general or vague aren't blocked. Some people don't know all of the obscure Marvel characters and can mistakenly give their character the same name.
Which isn't a problem because it is very unlikely that you will design your character to look like some obscure Marvel character if you give it the same name.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 07:45 AM
Cryptic could help by publishing an up-to-date list of names which have been banned tagged with why. Make it link; hang it off the Acceptable Use page.
The only good idea in this thread imo. Just add (and variations) to the list. If they try it and it's not banned, they have been warned.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 07:49 AM
Heatwave and Bluestreak were both original names I came up with for my blue fire character.
Turns out their restricted because they were both invented by marvel way back in 1940's :(
So I just named my character "The Blur" spitefully :)
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 08:19 AM
I use songs and other sorces for my toons names. Boom Shaka Day was from a (OH GOD) Insane Clown Posse but is in fact a afro wearing disco force mamma! Page is well Betty Page on steroids... think of something new. I start with the name and fill in from there. History, jokes and old history all have ideas you can pilfer, modify and add on too without hurting Marvel's feelings. BTW Marvel blows donkey $*##$ and "intellectual property" is a joke.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 08:20 AM
In tribute to Marvel my next toon will be Brown Streak.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 08:55 AM
Sorry but. Your not allowed to steal characters not just for lawsuit, for originality, if i made a Super Hero MMO. My rules would also be the same...No creating pre-existing heroes.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 09:54 AM
Sorry but. Your not allowed to steal characters not just for lawsuit, for originality, if i made a Super Hero MMO. My rules would also be the same...No creating pre-existing heroes.
THe point is that there have been soooo many heroes created for filler by Marvel and DC that when you invent an original name you end up not being able to use it because its too similar to some guy wonderwoman said she met in austia.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 09:55 AM
I know how to be creative.I have really original toons.But if i am a fan of an x-men or wtv i want to be able to paly with it to.Like you ,you name Avalanche one of your toons.Well its an x-men character.Get my point ?
Because it is illegal for Cryptic to allow it. I mean literally illegal to let them let you do that. As in courts, and police summons and lawyers. Why should Cryptic allow you to do that when it means that level of frustration for them?
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 10:26 AM
I once made a Mix between Batman and Spider-man to make a sort of Mercenary Superhero who dresses in black with massive round silvered goggles, I didnt like him since he was still too much of copy in my eyes. so Silver Falcon was created, he is a Brilliant Technician and scientist who due to an accident at birth can not walk (spinal problem) but when he digitises his own designed Powerarmor onto him (Drawing it from Folded Space) he is able to move around easily and fight Crime.
my point of this is, I made up his history and his outfit and to my knowledge there isnt a Silver Falcon with the same history and Backstory that mine does and I enjoy the character more because when people are complimenting the story and outfit, they are complimenting my Creativity and not the creativity of someone else.
Regards
LS
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 02:21 PM
It just goes to show, give people a character creator with near-infinite possibilites and they'll just plagarize.
I always report violations, proudly.
You are the cancer killing Champions Online. And Na'vi.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 04:51 PM
just be original ! use your imagination !
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 05:22 PM
How in the world is this thread so long so fast?
Is there like a limited time sale on bashing this OP? Special discount? I must know!
Oh yeah and stop being a copycat.
Lamer.
:V (sarcastic duck. people keep asking. IT IS A DUCK)
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 05:23 PM
:V (sarcastic duck. people keep asking. IT IS A DUCK)
Dunno. Looks like a hungry platypus, to me. :D
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 05:42 PM
How in the world is this thread so long so fast?
Is there like a limited time sale on bashing this OP? Special discount? I must know!
Oh yeah and stop being a copycat.
Lamer.
:V (sarcastic duck. people keep asking. IT IS A DUCK)
So fast ?
This thread is nearly a month old.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 05:44 PM
Dunno. Looks like a hungry platypus, to me. :D
A duck billed platpus ?
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 09:13 PM
A duck billed platpus ?
No, just the regular kind.
Archived Post
04-18-2010, 09:24 PM
So fast ?
This thread is nearly a month old.
Time starts when I first notice it, and stops when something good comes on tv.
You know that.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 08:11 AM
Says the deluded platypus. ;)
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 08:29 AM
Zombie post wants braaaaiiins!
HRUUGGH!
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 08:29 AM
Mystique could of been called Mystical Shapeshifter or Mystiqueitco, its your fault you named it Mystique
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:27 AM
Remember when Marvel tried to sue CoH and lost?
The thing is, Marvel is now owned by Disney.
No one messes with Disney. No one.
In all honesty, Champions Online is not original.
When Cryptic stopped making this Marvel Universe Online they needed to
find some other established comic idea they could pay to use.
So to all these people whining, crying, and snitching. Get a life.
Nothing is original. Your character has the same powers and name mine does.
I was the first Frostbite with ice powers. Now I will sue you all.
You are copying me. I will tell on you and cry about it.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:33 AM
Remember when Marvel tried to sue CoH and lost?
For the record Marvel didn't lose, Cryptic/NCSoft and Marvel settled out of court, which is by no means the same thing as losing.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:41 AM
"The official City of Heroes site is reporting that Marvel's lawsuit over the CoH character generator has been settled. It looks like CoH essentially won, though it's unclear what price, if any, they're paying for the victory. The key portion of the brief press release: 'The parties' settlement allows them all to continue to develop and sell exciting and innovative products, but does not reduce the players' ability to express their creativity in making and playing original and exciting characters ... While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, all parties agree that this case was never about monetary issues and that the fans of their respective products and characters are the winners in this settlement.'"
..........
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:45 AM
What was the issue there, that people could make rip off characters potentially?
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:45 AM
Marvel didn't win either.
I was there when it happened, and CoH had to make a few changes and start cracking down on IP infringement a lot harder after the case was settled... So even though Marvel didn't win, they didn't lose either and they were able to make NCSoft start to crack down on people playing Marvel characters.
Neither side won or loss, that's the whole point. However some people seem to believe Cryptic won, and so now they can do what ever they want, which is not true at all.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:48 AM
What was the issue there, that people could make rip off characters potentially?
Yes, people were making Marvel characters and Marvel filed a lawsuit against CoH. I was there when all this happen too. I think both parties talked it out and came to a middle ground. The thing is Disney did not own Marvel then. I also played Second Life which has all player made content,. You can make and script anything you can imagine. There is a huge superhero fan base here too. All the Marvel stuff people have created over the years there is being deleted off the asset servers now that Disney owns Marvel. Someone stated DC does not mind people recreating their content in Second Life because it is comic book advertising in a virtual world. This may change with DC Universe Online coming out, not sure.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:49 AM
What was the issue there, that people could make rip off characters potentially?
Same issue as what started this thread...
People would make Sp1der-man, Spiderguy, Spid3rman, ect... Make a costume as close as possible to the real one and then played CoH as Spiderman.
Marvel got wind of it and took Cryptic/NCSoft to court over IP infringement and future loss of revenue. At the time Marvel was planing on making it's on MMO, and argued that because people could play Marvel characters in CoH it would harm the sale of their own MMO... The irony there is Cryptic was contracted to make the Marvel MMO... Which was then canceled and Cryptic renamed it to CO.
The end result was Cryptic/NCSoft and Marvel settled the issue out of court.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:54 AM
I am also a fan of the various spiderwomen, and I made a toon that was influenced by them. She doesn't look anything like them, except for a little bit of web here and there, and I called her 'Spinneret'.
I get to play a form of spiderwoman, and Cryptic has nothing worry about - win/win.
You can use Marvel's characters as influence without copying.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 10:06 AM
I am also a fan of the various spiderwomen, and I made a toon that was influenced by them. She doesn't look anything like them, except for a little bit of web here and there, and I called her 'Spinneret'.
I get to play a form of spiderwoman, and Cryptic has nothing worry about - win/win.
You can use Marvel's characters as influence without copying.
This. Exactly this. I don't get why people can't just do...THIS!
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 10:13 AM
Look, it's like this:
You can use any reasoning you want. You can apply any logical fallacy you see fit. You can look for any loophole that may exist.
It does not change one, simple, concrete fact: You agreed to the ToS and the EULA. If you do not play by the rules, Cryptic has the right to do what they see fit to your account.
I report any and all violations I see. Every time. You want to affect your game play ability by breaking the rules? Fine. I don't care.
However, when you do anything that can affect me or other players, then I do what I have to do.
DC is releasing their MMO. Marvel is working on their's again. That will make them lawsuit happy.
I do not care about your feelings on this because your feelings do not change the facts.
Period.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 10:19 AM
But if i am a fan of an x-men or wtv i want to be able to paly with it to.
It's very simple.
YOU CAN'T.
Not here. Not ever.
Cryptic has already been sued by Marvel once over this.
That is why it's against the rules here.
If you want to play a Marvel character so badly wait for the Marvel MMO to come out.
Otherwise if you do it here sooner or later someone will report you.
-np
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 11:00 AM
Look, it's like this:
You can use any reasoning you want. You can apply any logical fallacy you see fit. You can look for any loophole that may exist.
It does not change one, simple, concrete fact: You agreed to the ToS and the EULA. If you do not play by the rules, Cryptic has the right to do what they see fit to your account.
I report any and all violations I see. Every time. You want to affect your game play ability by breaking the rules? Fine. I don't care.
However, when you do anything that can affect me or other players, then I do what I have to do.
DC is releasing their MMO. Marvel is working on their's again. That will make them lawsuit happy.
I do not care about your feelings on this because your feelings do not change the facts.
Period.
Smack-a-BOOM!!! Yep. Plain and simple. Yeah, it always baffled me how people sign a contract and then afterward cry about it as if the rules some how don't apply to them. Its all there in black and white...
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 11:23 AM
Look, it's like this:
You can use any reasoning you want. You can apply any logical fallacy you see fit. You can look for any loophole that may exist.
It does not change one, simple, concrete fact: You agreed to the ToS and the EULA. If you do not play by the rules, Cryptic has the right to do what they see fit to your account.
I report any and all violations I see. Every time. You want to affect your game play ability by breaking the rules? Fine. I don't care.
However, when you do anything that can affect me or other players, then I do what I have to do.
DC is releasing their MMO. Marvel is working on their's again. That will make them lawsuit happy.
I do not care about your feelings on this because your feelings do not change the facts.
Period.
In all honesty, Champions Online is not original.
When Cryptic stopped making this Marvel Universe Online they needed to
find some other established comic idea they could pay to use.
So to all these people whining, crying, and snitching. Get a life.
Nothing is original. Your character has the same powers and name mine does.
I was the first Frostbite with ice powers. Now I will sue you all.
You are copying me. I will tell on you and cry about it.
EDIT: If you wanna copy someone, buy the rights it too like everyone else is.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 11:26 AM
Not to say you should, but just use your tribute costumes in Instanced Zones....
you can play as whoever and nobody will care...
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 11:45 AM
..........
When two parties settle out of court, it means A TIE ... neither one wins, neither one loses.
Simple fact of life - no matter what some stuffed-shirt journalist might (mistakenly) state.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 12:10 PM
When two parties settle out of court, it means A TIE ... neither one wins, neither one loses.
Trust me, it's rarely a tie. One of the parties will always come out on top, even in a settlement.
As to the infringement, I don't really understand why people would want to play as the Hulk or Spider-Man when you can create your own hero. There are a lot of games devoted to Marvel's various characters that are able to recreate the experience much better than Champions Online can, so why not stick with those? With the wide range of customization offered by CO, it's hard to imagine how you could pass up the opportunity to play as your own, unique creation.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 01:12 PM
In all honesty, Champions Online is not original.
When Cryptic stopped making this Marvel Universe Online they needed to
find some other established comic idea they could pay to use.
So to all these people whining, crying, and snitching. Get a life.
Nothing is original. Your character has the same powers and name mine does.
I was the first Frostbite with ice powers. Now I will sue you all.
You are copying me. I will tell on you and cry about it.
EDIT: If you wanna copy someone, buy the rights it too like everyone else is.
Let me see your copyrights to both the character and the name, then we can talk.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 01:44 PM
With the wide range of customization offered by CO, it's hard to imagine how you could pass up the opportunity to play as your own, unique creation.
Because most people are stupid, lazy, intellectually bankrupt wastes of flesh that couldn't have an original thought if their very life depended on it.
Oh, and sometimes it's fun to play as an established character. See: Batman: Arkham Asylum :)
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 03:16 PM
I almost always try to be original. The name is usually what gets me. I can at times find it very annoying to have players point out that my name is that of a character I've never heard of. Even more so to be reported for it. Naming a darkness user "Shadow" should be fine, if it has an original costume. It's not like it's a gun wielding telepath in a suit, red scarf and fedora for crying out loud! Was it Mark Twain who said ultimately there are no original ideas? He may have been right.
Superman is a rip off of an old novel series called "Gladiator". It's true, look it up. Interestingly both Action comics 1 and the first "Gladiator" bookhave their title character in the same pose, and both lifting identical vehicles.
Both the Green Lanterns and Jedi are "inspired" by another book series "The Lensmen."
Batman draws heavily on "Zorro" and some DaVinci sketches.
The X-Men started out as a knock off of Doom Patrol. Seriously, look it up. Compare the character poses and layout of each series first few comics.
If anyone from Cryptic reads this thread... please take into consideration that "public domain" IPs should not be treated like "copyright" IPs. For example, yes Marvel has a hero named THOR; but they do not own the name or concept. If I make a hero in Norse (viking) armor and give him electric powers... it is perfectly LEGAL. I could EVEN call him Thor. Now, if Cryptic's viking armor, looked like what "Marvel's Thor" wears and had colors chosen to mimic it... then YES it is illegal. BUT making a Thor, and using mythological legends of Thor... which would include Mjollnir and/or any other gods/locations from Norse myth for my backstory... THAT is perfectly legal.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 03:21 PM
Yeah, what he said.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 03:24 PM
I think the reason most people make copies of characters is not for homages or tributes, but for the challenge.
I admit I have made some character copies (and promptly deleted them, this is my only homage character (http://www.champions-online.com/character_profiles/2538118), a bit like toxin I guess) not because I thought the character was awesome but because I wanted to see if I could.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 03:27 PM
...THAT is perfectly legal... *quoted for reference only*
it's not about "legal", it's about what Cryptic think they MIGHT get into trouble for, and what they put into their ToS.
Now if you want to argue "legal" vs. "ToS", then you have some logic to stand on.
But in the end, it's all about the ToS and what you "AGREE TO DO" when you play the game.
Sucks, but there it is... :(
EDIT:
...Now can we let this !@#$% thread die already?
I went through the "IP Rage Wars" already, and i'm not interested in reliving that experience.
I can't handle another "GloomWalker"...
...Really, i can't :mad:
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:07 PM
Trust me, it's rarely a tie. One of the parties will always come out on top, even in a settlement.
Oh, someone always comes out with a better tie than the other guy, in such cases. But as far as "Win,lose, or tie", in the eyes of the Courts, and in terms of Precedent? An out-of-court settlement is a tie. :)
As to the infringement, I don't really understand why people would want to play as the Hulk or Spider-Man when you can create your own hero. There are a lot of games devoted to Marvel's various characters that are able to recreate the experience much better than Champions Online can, so why not stick with those? With the wide range of customization offered by CO, it's hard to imagine how you could pass up the opportunity to play as your own, unique creation.
Lots of people are creativity-challenged, no-talent hacks ... that's why.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:18 PM
Sighting the last line of my post that way REALLY takes it out of context. Everything I read in the ToS deals with copyright IPs. There is nothing in the ToS prohibiting use of "public domain" IPs. There doesn't need to be. "Public domain" characters are open to use from anyone. That was my point. Gods, Norse or otherwise, are public domain. Sherlock Holmes, as per Doyle's will, is public domain. Heck even Snow White, Cinderella, the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, all public domain. The most anyone can do is copyright their version of the character. So, I could create a frost heroine named "Snow White." Cryptic would only have to act if she looked like Disney's, or some other studio's version.
Just like open-source code can be used in anyone's program, "public domain" characters can never be owned by anyone.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:25 PM
Oh, someone always comes out with a better tie than the other guy, in such cases. But as far as "Win,lose, or tie", in the eyes of the Courts, and in terms of Precedent? An out-of-court settlement is a tie. :)
More a "The fight never happened."
A tie would have the case be concluded by the judge.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:30 PM
More a "The fight never happened."
Oh, it happened. The sub-rulings on various motions and such by the parties, those do form a measure of case precedent.
A tie would have the case be concluded by the judge.
Um. That's not a tie. That's the Umpire deciding that X won and Y lost. Note, I'm not talking about a hung jury (which would be next to impossible anyway - most civil-case juries are odd-numbered: 3 or 5 are common numbers, and neither 7 nor 9 are unheard-of).
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:33 PM
Heck even Snow White, Cinderella, the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, all public domain. The most anyone can do is copyright their version of the character. So, I could create a frost heroine named "Snow White." Cryptic would only have to act if she looked like Disney's, or some other studio's version.
You're wrong.
Sure, you mgiht say "It's not a copy" - but Disney might answer with "that's for a Jury to decide". And even WINNING a case like that, is stupendously expensive. Especially with pockets as deep as Disney's, on the other side of the aisle.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:34 PM
In all honesty, Champions Online is not original.
When Cryptic stopped making this Marvel Universe Online they needed to
find some other established comic idea they could pay to use.
So to all these people whining, crying, and snitching. Get a life.
Nothing is original. Your character has the same powers and name mine does.
I was the first Frostbite with ice powers. Now I will sue you all.
You are copying me. I will tell on you and cry about it.
EDIT: If you wanna copy someone, buy the rights it too like everyone else is.
Claiming you are and having actual grounds for it are two entirely different things. Especially if you first rolled the character here. Because it now becomes property of Cryptic. Read dat dere EULA.
Typing like this is lol.
It really makes me laugh.
Also, insert funny image saying your argument is invalid.
Also Pax, do you look up legal procedures just to be right on the Internet? :P
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 04:53 PM
Also Pax, do you look up legal procedures just to be right on the Internet? :P
I once considered a career as a lawyer or a paralegal. Did some coursework in college along those lines. Didn't work out, but I still learned some things. :)
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 05:02 PM
You're wrong.
Sure, you mgiht say "It's not a copy" - but Disney might answer with "that's for a Jury to decide". And even WINNING a case like that, is stupendously expensive. Especially with pockets as deep as Disney's, on the other side of the aisle.
Please don't make me sight case law. The basic legal standard is "could a creation, on its own merits be confused or mistaken for a different entities creation." Disney does not owe those characters, nor does Marvel own Thor.
And, unless I missed a scene where Disney's Snow White froze and shattered the evil queen; I'm pretty certain I can prove my Snow White idea couldn't be a copy before it ever got to a jury.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 05:18 PM
Please don't make me sight case law.
Are you an attorney, licensed to practise law in Federal courts?
The basic legal standard is "could a creation, on its own merits be confused or mistaken for a different entities creation." Disney does not owe those characters, nor does Marvel own Thor.
And, again - "that would be for a jury to decide".
And, unless I missed a scene where Disney's Snow White froze and shattered the evil queen; I'm pretty certain I can prove my Snow White idea couldn't be a copy before it ever got to a jury.
You don't have to be identical in every possible way - just insufficiently distinct.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 05:20 PM
I am sure this has been said, but why not try this:
BE CREATIVE AND MAKE YOUR OWN ****!
omg.. what a suggestion..
What is the fun in playing a character that already exists somewhere else? Why not be INSPIRED by your favorite heroes and make your own, unique identity? That's why CO is here.. I swear, seeing all the Iron Man rip offs alone is enough to drive a man crazy. Just saw one the other day named Iron Men.. I mean really.
I have lost faith in humanity completely now.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 05:25 PM
Let's face it, unless it is a blatant copyright violation, the result of such a court case would ultimately come down to the opinion of the judge/jury and how well the case was argued by the lawyers...
You create a comic book that features Thor as a superhero and make sure he doesn't look like Marvel's Thor... Marvel sues you...
One judge/jury may find that Thor is a mythological character who is not copyrighted, period, and you may win your case...
Another judge/jury may find that, although the name Thor may not be copyrighted, the CONCEPT of Thor as a superhero is, and that copyright is held by Marvel. You would lose that case...
Arguing what you feel would happen in such a court case is a moot point... There are precidents on both sides; it all comes down to who hears the case and how well the sides are argued....
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 05:37 PM
Arguing what you feel would happen in such a court case is a moot point... There are precidents on both sides; it all comes down to who hears the case and how well the sides are argued....
Exactly. Hence, "that would be for a jury to decide". :cool:
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 05:50 PM
Exactly. Hence, "that would be for a jury to decide". :cool:
Precisely...
Good point on Disney's deep pockets too... Most companies would settle well before a decision was reached... Simply because most companies would be financially ruined if they lost and had to cover Disney's court costs...
You think Atari is going to take that chance just so I can make a Deadpool toon?
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 06:22 PM
HEck. Most companies owudl be financially ruined before Disney was finished with their first round of motions. :)
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 06:45 PM
Are you an attorney, licensed to practise law in Federal courts?
And, again - "that would be for a jury to decide".
You don't have to be identical in every possible way - just insufficiently distinct.
Let's see.
First question ... not that its your business... yup. Degree from Cornell '96, and a license.
The "for a jury to decide thing"... no, not always. Most cases have to be weighed on the merits before they can go to trial. If I make a red-haired, bearded, viking-armor styled Thor; I'm in the clear. Marvel can sight their "Thor as a superhero" line, but Champions doesn't have "superheroes", we are all "heroes" or "champions."
Distinct?? There in lies the rub. The Snow White story is not IP of Disney. The only thing they can sight are theirs are the songs, character appearances, artistic style, maybe vocals... if it is an affected voice. The core elements of the story are open. I can still have Snow White, seven dwarfs, an evil queen, a poison apple, and a prince. I can keep the same basic story. The story's been around since the 16th century.
I could create an Anubis with darkness/sorcery powers; Artemis with archery powers; Thor with electric powers; Hercules with might powers. I'm in no way in violation of IP or ToS unless I go out of my way to make them look or act like some company's version of them.
My points were was that not every "copy" is an automatic violation, and that even DC and Marvel have done "homages" to other peoples work. Funny, if the authors of Gladiator, The Lensmen or other "source material" had taken the view over comics that comic publishers have adopted here... I wonder if DC or Marvel would still be in business today?
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:28 PM
I once considered a career as a lawyer or a paralegal. Did some coursework in college along those lines. Didn't work out, but I still learned some things. :)
Only experience I have with copyright law is being on the ***** side of the fence, watching from the side lines. A crash course in that exact subject for a TV Writing class (hey I thought it was easy credits) taught me many things, the most important being to stay the hell away from creative jobs.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 09:47 PM
Let's see.
First question ... not that its your business... yup. Degree from Cornell '96, and a license.
You're an attorney? So you're one of those people...
Don't worry, so am I. :D Cooley '08. Paying my dues in one of the local legal service programs.
Archived Post
04-19-2010, 10:38 PM
Let's see.
First question ... not that its your business... yup. Degree from Cornell '96, and a license.
Actually, it WAS my business, the instant youoffered to start citing case law - becaus ethat constitutes "offering legal advice", and the canons of ethics in just about every state out there, and especially at the federal level, restrict that activity to actual Attorneys.
That license is, I presume, for Federal courts.
As for all the rest of your details - you must not be a very GOOD lawyer, sir or madame, to so blithely dismiss what the other party may manage to pull off (with a timely call to a friendly judge, for example).
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 01:24 AM
Sighting the last line of my post that way REALLY takes it out of context...
I wasn't trying to bash YOU or anyone else.
I was just using that part of your post in context for a frame of reference for my topic of discussion.
(My bad, i'll edit your name out of the quote...)
I guess what i was really trying to say is:
It doesn't matter what's legal, it matters what Cryptic says we have a right to do in THEIR game.
If they say all we get to do is make purple easter bunnies, then that's all we get to make.
This topic has been: beaten to death, ressurected, beaten to death again, reincarnated, and then died in a train wreck.
...Now can we let this !@#$% topic die already?
I went through the "IP Rage Wars" already, and i'm not interested in reliving that experience.
I can't handle another "GloomWalker"...
...Really, i can't
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 02:36 AM
In all honesty, Champions Online is not original.
When Cryptic stopped making this Marvel Universe Online they needed to
find some other established comic idea they could pay to use.
So to all these people whining, crying, and snitching. Get a life.
Nothing is original. Your character has the same powers and name mine does.
I was the first Frostbite with ice powers. Now I will sue you all.
You are copying me. I will tell on you and cry about it.
EDIT: If you wanna copy someone, buy the rights it too like everyone else is.
Nope.
Lookie here. (http://www.champions-online.com/terms_of_service)
[/QUOTE=Terms of Service]Ownership and Restrictions on Use. 19. The Site and Game are owned and operated by Cryptic in conjunction with others pursuant to contractual arrangements, and all rights and title in and to the Site and Game, including, without limitation, any and all user accounts, titles, computer codes, Cryptic Points, themes, virtual items, characters, character names, stories, dialogue, catch phrases, locations, concepts, artwork, animations, sounds, musical compositions, audio-visual effects, methods of operation, moral rights, any related documentation, “applets,” transcripts of the Chat rooms, character profile information, recordings of sessions played on the Game, and the Software client and Server software, and any intellectual property and other rights relating thereto, are and will remain the property of Cryptic and its licensors and suppliers. The Site and Game, and the selection, compilation, collection, arrangement and assembly thereof, are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark and other laws, and you acknowledge that these rights are valid and enforceable. The Software, Service and Materials may contain licensed materials, and Cryptic’s licensor may enforce their rights in the event of any violation of this Agreement.[/QUOTE]
You're argument is invalid.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 03:22 AM
/pulls out pistol.
/shoots this thread in the face. Twice.
/kicks it into a nearby ditch.
/walks away.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 03:36 AM
/pours gasoline over post in ditch
/lights match
/tosses on post
/lights cigarette from burning corpse
/joins Void Warrior for a beer
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 04:13 AM
/pours gasoline over post in ditch
/lights match
/tosses on post
/lights cigarette from burning corpse
/joins Void Warrior for a beer
Guinness and a shot of Tully More Dew? (I think I spelled that right. Damn smooth whiskey tho)
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 04:15 AM
/Dances around the ditch screaming "BURN BABY BURN!!!"
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:12 AM
Actually, it WAS my business, the instant youoffered to start citing case law - becaus ethat constitutes "offering legal advice", and the canons of ethics in just about every state out there, and especially at the federal level, restrict that activity to actual Attorneys.
Citing case law does not constitute "offering legal advice." Every day people can go pick up a law book or go to a web site and start quoting case law. The only time they'll have a problem is if they try to represent a party in court without a license. Furthermore, he (or she) was not offering you legal advice. He was not consulting you about a specific legal matter you have. He was discussing a closed case, which is public record, explaining what the court may have thought and how the parties settled the matter.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:15 AM
/notices post has gone zombie
/grabs shotgun
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:18 AM
wow. lolololololol.... is the OP serious or just messin around?
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:32 AM
Come one, come all, Come see "THE THREAD THAT WOULDN"T DIE!!!!"...IN STEROSCOPIC 3D!
Bring your best Gal, it's only 25 cents a ticket.
The thrills, the chills, the debates over legalees...
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:41 AM
The "for a jury to decide thing"... no, not always. Most cases have to be weighed on the merits before they can go to trial. If I make a red-haired, bearded, viking-armor styled Thor; I'm in the clear. Marvel can sight their "Thor as a superhero" line, but Champions doesn't have "superheroes", we are all "heroes" or "champions."
Incidentally, Marvel knew this back when they were making Thor's comic, which is why the comic was originally the eminently copywritable "The Mighty Thor" and bears very little relation to the original Norse myths beyond names and loose motifs. Sadly, pop culture being what it is, the comic's affected public perceptions to the point where people don't realize now that Thor was an idiot in the original myths, Odin an utterly treacherous *******, and Loki having every reason to want both dead.
Distinct?? There in lies the rub. The Snow White story is not IP of Disney. The only thing they can sight are theirs are the songs, character appearances, artistic style, maybe vocals... if it is an affected voice. The core elements of the story are open. I can still have Snow White, seven dwarfs, an evil queen, a poison apple, and a prince. I can keep the same basic story. The story's been around since the 16th century.
Moreover, the Disney version has risen to such a level that much of the elements associated with it can be easily adapted for satirical or parody purposes (and we're not talking Sonichu pseudo-parody, either). Given that the Disney version also left out a character from the original stories, Snow White's sister, a movie could be made using the exact names, animation styles, and story elements of the Disney movie, but set around the character of Rose Red and labeled satirical. In such a case, it'd probably come down to the ad campaign to determine whether it's infringing by trying to intentionally dupe people into believing it's part of the Disney canon or an authorized sequel versus a Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead-style skewering of the original film.
I could create an Anubis with darkness/sorcery powers; Artemis with archery powers; Thor with electric powers; Hercules with might powers. I'm in no way in violation of IP or ToS unless I go out of my way to make them look or act like some company's version of them.
That said, Cryptic's well within rights to block any of those characters anyway. Just because I can make a reformed super-agent of the villainous SPIDER organization, without any mutant powers or webslinging, does not mean my SPIDER-Man is safe.
My points were was that not every "copy" is an automatic violation, and that even DC and Marvel have done "homages" to other peoples work. Funny, if the authors of Gladiator, The Lensmen or other "source material" had taken the view over comics that comic publishers have adopted here... I wonder if DC or Marvel would still be in business today?
As an aside, the original creators of the Green Lantern Corps denied any intent to base the GLs on the Lensmen, and beyond some fairly broad strokes -- the relationship between the Qwardians and the Guardians of the Universe, for instance, or using the badge of office as a weapon in its own right -- the two don't have all that much in common. The Lensmen relied heavily on psionics and breeding programs, didn't have traitorous members as the primary villains, and were effectively founded by a human. The GLs use force constructs, recruit based largely on proximity and need, have had three major villains known for betraying the corps (Sinestro, Hal Jordan, and Universo), and have only recently recruited humans.
A better example of none-too-subtle "borrowing" of concepts might be that Doc Savage was a noble polymath whose abilities were expressly stated to be above human capability, had an arctic retreat he called his fortress of solitude and a female cousin who inherited most of his abilities, and was called the Man of Bronze.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:49 AM
/notices post has gone zombie
/grabs shotgun
/Shudders at zombie thread being animated by inaccurate legal babble
/frantically shoves canned foods in bags
/Grabs guns and plenty of ammo
/loads up truck
/heads North secure in the belief that zombies will freeze in colder climates
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:54 AM
/Shudders at zombie thread being animated by inaccurate legal babble
/frantically shoves canned foods in bags
/Grabs guns and plenty of ammo
/loads up truck
/heads North secure in the belief that zombies will freeze in colder climates
HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING FROM THE CANADA CRISIS?!?
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 05:59 AM
Cryptic is covering their bases, Marvel's the one that had a cow and started crap when City of Heroes launched. The law suit was a total waste of time and money. They were just trying to get what they thought they could since they've been hard up for cash for ages. And cried "infringement" because CoH allowed players the ability to create characters similiar to or copies of Marvel characters.
They don't have any grounds because you can't copyright the concept of superpowers. DC came first and you didn't see them crying foul.
However, Cryptic has created a game that allows you a massive amount of creativity. I would think anyone into superheroes would prefer to finally have the chance to create and play their own rather than some copy.
You mention RPing, how many people are going to take your X-man seriously in a comic world that isn't marvel? Even an original character that isn't particularly great, is still better than some knock-off X-man.
I can see making homage characters just for kicks, but not for long term playing.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 06:12 AM
HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING FROM THE CANADA CRISIS?!?
Gah! you're right!
I'm sticking with Max Brook's Zombie Survival Guide then...an oil rig would be a reasonable place to go for a year or so...
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 06:35 AM
Gah! you're right!
I'm sticking with Max Brook's Zombie Survival Guide then...an oil rig would be a reasonable place to go for a year or so...
Besides even if they did freeze you'd have to fight off other survivors to protect your food. Remember your history, remember World War Z.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 07:26 AM
Besides even if they did freeze you'd have to fight off other survivors to protect your food. Remember your history, remember World War Z.
Ok...this is thread is turning our future into a nightmare!
I hate to be the one to say it...
We should nuke the site from orbit, its the only way to be sure...
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 07:30 AM
Ok...this is thread is turning our future into a nightmare!
I hate to be the one to say it...
We should nuke the site from orbit, its the only way to be sure...
I'll start gathering up the scientists, engineers, doctors, and sexy women.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 07:33 AM
I'll start gathering up the scientists, engineers, doctors, and sexy women.
What do we need the scientists, engineers,and doctors for? Unless they were sexy lady scientists, engineers, and doctors.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 07:35 AM
What do we need the scientists, engineers,and doctors for? Unless they were sexy lady scientists, engineers, and doctors.
Christmas Jones, my friend, Christmas Jones.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 08:07 AM
Whiskey, guns, and wimmin'!
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 08:59 AM
Notify the authorities!
This thread has derailed.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 09:08 AM
So...
Pop vs soda?
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 09:13 AM
So...
Pop vs soda?
Soda.
Don't be daft!
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 09:14 AM
So...
Pop vs soda?
Lol...damn, Ryoku revives the thread with the very question that has plagued philosophers through the ages...
Well played sir, well played.
Archived Post
04-20-2010, 09:21 AM
More important question:
If you could take out both of your eyeballs without damaging the optic nerve and point them at one another would you see one giant eyeball or would it be like looking into a mirror with a mirror behind you going on for infinity?