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I would like to get into casting some resin scenic bases. but I'd just like to know if I sculpt them on GW bases and cast them is that illegal?

thanks

No, GW does not own the rights to sizes of bases.

But they do own the bases.

If you make your own 25mm base with a sloped edge, they can't do anything, but recasting their parts, bases including is technically illegal...

Will they ever know if you did? probably not...

If you sculpt on top of a GW base enough that it is clearly a different product you are fine. An example would be my cobblestone and flagstone bases.




These are sculpted on top of GW bases but are clearly different enough to be considered their own works. GW can't copyright a square or rectangle, even with specifically beveled edges.

Indeed, GW were involved with specific legal actions in the 80s over slotta bases - and settlements were made on BOTH sides (GW were NOT the sole maker of them back then, and as such had no sole hold on them - and the precedent still stands).

would I be able to sell them?

chromedog wrote:Indeed, GW were involved with specific legal actions in the 80s over slotta bases - and settlements were made on BOTH sides (GW were NOT the sole maker of them back then, and as such had no sole hold on them - and the precedent still stands).

No one ever said you can't make your own slotta bases, you can't recast theirs. You have to engineer your own or find someone else who makes 'blanks'. GW's bases have copyrights even being simple.

Will they ever know if you did? probably not... It still doesn't make using GW pieces as 'blanks' legal. This is the same way you cannot sculpt onto a GW rhino door and recast it. You can make your own door from scratch which happens to be the same in every way, but you cannot use GW's parts as blanks and recast them in part or whole.



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Aerethan wrote:

These are sculpted on top of GW bases but are clearly different enough to be considered their own works. GW can't copyright a square or rectangle, even with specifically beveled edges.

Wrong. They can copyright their version of a square base. And in fact, they have. Check the bottom of every one of your GW bases.

Can you make one just like it? Sure! Can you recast theirs? Nope, you have violated their copyright.

thanks everyone

does anyone know a good way to make some nice beveled edges on bases?

It really depends on the material you're using.

I assume some sort of modeling epoxy, try a ruler and a sharp blade for straight edges. Rounded... I can't think of anything easy at the moment.

RunningWithScissors wrote:thanks everyone

does anyone know a good way to make some nice beveled edges on bases?

The long process; Buy plastic and sand it to the desired bevel, to make you own blanks.

Costly way; http://dragonforge.com/Painting%20service/for%20sale/base_blanks.htm Buy blanks from this company, they come with open licence to recast with your own addons

Short way; Use existing bases with your own embellishments. Cast them as solid blocks with out replicating any companies info on the bottom.

Nearly every base selling company out there started off by using existing plastic squares sold by games companies. The IP gestapo is not going to kick your door down for bases.

Just because you put a copyright symbol on something does not make it true. GW claim a lot of legal positions in regards to IP that they have no ground for.

And there is zero difference between simply recasting an item and sculpting that exact piece from scratch. Method of reproduction doesn't matter at all here.

And again, if you sculpt an original design on the top, and fill in the bottom then it becomes an original work and not a derivative work.

Realistically, if you're making them for your own use, use whatever you like as the blanks. If you intend to sell them, cover your butt and make your own or buy the blanks from dragonforge.