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Good idea? Bad idea? I think I will run with it until GW's lawyers come after me. I always wanted to meet Phil Kelly anyway. I think the Space Marine HQs will have supporting roles as they battle against Abbadon and Fabius. Think Asurmen and the Masters of the Universe.

I think the intro storyline will be Karandras and Baharoth vs Fabius. Karandras is the Judge Dredd and Baharroth is the funny guy. The other other option is Asurmen and Feugan vs Abby in a huge battle. "Dude we can't die we're the Eternal Warriors". Someone needs to be a brooding loner. I think it will be Karandras. Baharroth could be the screw-up loner but I think he will be the flyboy. For lack of a better expression, "Like the flying guy from He-man." Swooping hawk guns will be upgraded to S6 for effect's sake.

I call it: "Eternal Warriors".

Now if only I could draw ...

Well, as far as the ability to draw goes, that doesn't seem to stop other webcomics.
And GW hasn't sued Turn Singals on a Land Raider into oblivion yet, so they must not be completely unreasonable.

This is from the Lexicanum.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/GW_Copyright

Games Workshop's Intellectual Property Policy

On the one hand Games Workshop is obligated to protect its intellectual property and the future of the company from those who try to profit dishonestly from GW IP. On the other hand Games Workshop would like to grant a certain free space to the many fans of its products, so that they can realize their creativity, which can only be beneficial for the hobby.

Due to this conflict, Games Workshop has specified detailed guidelines for handling its intellectual property.

Here are the most important points from Games Workshop's policies in the context of this free encyclopedia:

* All uses of the intellectual property here are without license and are thereby a violation of copyright. However, it is unlikely that Games Workshop will complain of a copyright violation, as long as these guidelines are followed.

* Pictures and photos of Games Workshop products may be used only in limited measure and only with correct copyright Disclaimer (see below).

* Games Workshop's symbols and logos may not be altered in any way.

* Games Workshop's intellectual property may not be used in relation to any commercial activity.

* Direct copies and/or scans of Games Workshop publications, images, or other materials are not permitted. This includes any Out-of-Production materials, web site materials, and White Dwarf articles. Your own materials are, however, permitted. (as long as you follow the other requirements of this policy).

* You may not use Games Workshop's intellectual property in relation to any third party products or third party intellectual property.

* You may not use any of Games Workshop's IP without appropriately crediting the IP and using the appropriate disclaimers in accordance with this policy (see below).

* You may not create, distribute, or use any material that is not consistent with the functionality, atmosphere, and parameters of the Warhammer universe as created and owned by Games Workshop.

* Any content created using Games Workshop’s intellectual property may not be declared "official."

* You may not create, distribute, or use any material that is derogatory, obscene, or offensive, or that devalues any Games Workshop product in any way.

So I think most things are cool ... major motion pictures would be an issue. Turn signals has advertising, but they have bandwidth costs, too. If you start producing Black Templars vs Slaanesh hentai you are looking at getting in trouble.

TSoL is okay because it is a parody. As far as I know parody is protected in the US. It's why Barry Trotter, for example, is legal.

Tacobake wrote:
* You may not create, distribute, or use any material that is not consistent with the functionality, atmosphere, and parameters of the Warhammer universe as created and owned by Games Workshop.

* Any content created using Games Workshop’s intellectual property may not be declared "official."

The second one I quoted condones Fandom. What you said condones parody, which would go against the first. So there you go? There you go.

"I didn't know. Some guy on the Internet said it was OK."



I think I will actually mail them a letter about it, once I get my facts straight. And by 'mail them a letter,' I mean I will send them an e-mail when I am not busy talking to you guys.

Check out the copy rights issue section
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parody

Or the section on Fair Use and Parody
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

Another good overview:
http://library.findlaw.com/2007/Oct/1/247160.html

Of course the whole thing depends on what you write and why. If your work comments on GW using their characters, it is a parody and you have some protection, in the US at least. If you use their characters for irrelevant purposes, or to comment on something else (ie. satire) then it's a more difficult situation.

GW can say whatever they want, the law is what matters.

Keep in mind that the legal issue has the added complication that J. Random Internet Guy has a lot less time and money to deal with a protracted legal fight than Massive Gaming Company (with lawyers on retainer).