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Hello all,

I was wondering what parts of Games Workshops work is coyprighted? Can I use the Aquila or Iquisition symbol or use the phrase "i am the hammer" from Ben Counters book for any commercial selling?

I presume if all this work is copyrighted then Games Workshop does not accept many applications for licenses of such work to be reproduced.

Thanks

Stormknight

GW thinks any word they use is theirs, like space marine and rough rider
though many of their symbols and idea's are blatantly stolen (mostly from historical things) they still think its theirs
I donno what exactly are, but they think it all is

You're asking a question about whether GW will let you use something they have used freely? On Dakka?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-

Yeah GW are very attached to their phrases and symbols, I dont think it would end well if you used them for your own commercial needs.

 unmercifulconker wrote:
Yeah GW are very attached to their phrases and symbols, I dont think it would end well if you used them for your own commercial needs.

Depends if you can afford the lawyer that proves that GW don't actually hold the copyright in the first place or not.

 azreal13 wrote:

 unmercifulconker wrote:
Yeah GW are very attached to their phrases and symbols, I dont think it would end well if you used them for your own commercial needs.

Depends if you can afford the lawyer that proves that GW don't actually hold the copyright in the first place or not.

Only god himself could afford such a lawyer.

storm knight wrote:
Hello all,

I was wondering what parts of Games Workshops work is coyprighted? Can I use the Aquila or Iquisition symbol or use the phrase "i am the hammer" from Ben Counters book for any commercial selling?

I presume if all this work is copyrighted then Games Workshop does not accept many applications for licenses of such work to be reproduced.

Thanks

Stormknight

The and symbols are supposed trademarks, though copyright on the aquila is currently being disputed. The I'm not sure on as much as I haven't personally seen that design used elsewhere.

With trademarks, the important thing is the name and market. If you call it a "double headed eagle" and are using it on say a hub cap, then you have no likely issue.

As for "I am the hammer", it's an obscure phrase from an even more obscure book, and it in no way is trademarked. GW doesn't use the phrase in commerce, and as much as GW may not like it, you can't go around trademarking random phrases in books all willy nilly.

A lot of this depends on the market you intend to use these things for, on the trademark side. On the copyright side I'm inclined to say you'd be in the clear in court, but that won't stop GW from C&D'ing you to poverty.

 Rainbow Dash wrote:
GW thinks any word they use is theirs, like space marine and rough rider

Rough Riders:




Also Rough Riders:

I reckon if you want to make shirts or something with the term "I am the Hammer" you can get away with that, but regards the symbols, knowing GW and their militant legal department, I think its safe to say they would be on your balls sharpish!

 kronk wrote:

 Rainbow Dash wrote:
GW thinks any word they use is theirs, like space marine and rough rider

Rough Riders:




Also Rough Riders:

Lol goes to show how tired I am right now. I saw that second pic and was trying to figure out why it said warning pleasure on it then I re-read it.

 mattyrm wrote:
I reckon if you want to make shirts or something with the term "I am the Hammer" you can get away with that, but regards the symbols, knowing GW and their militant legal department, I think its safe to say they would be on your balls sharpish!

Thanks Brother, Just wanted to get a feel for what is a good idea and bad idea...

I understand now it's not what GW have copyrighted... It's about what they want to claim is there's and how that can cause problems.

So "For the Emperor" may become an issue but isn't actual copyright.

storm knight wrote:

 mattyrm wrote:
I reckon if you want to make shirts or something with the term "I am the Hammer" you can get away with that, but regards the symbols, knowing GW and their militant legal department, I think its safe to say they would be on your balls sharpish!

Thanks Brother, Just wanted to get a feel for what is a good idea and bad idea...

I understand now it's not what GW have copyrighted... It's about what they want to claim is there's and how that can cause problems.

So "For the Emperor" may become an issue but isn't actual copyright.

That phrase is not trademarked nor can it be copyrighted.

 wowsmash wrote:

 kronk wrote:

 Rainbow Dash wrote:
GW thinks any word they use is theirs, like space marine and rough rider

Also Rough Riders:

Lol goes to show how tired I am right now. I saw that second pic and was trying to figure out why it said warning pleasure on it then I re-read it.

It's one of those chemical heat packs to keep your hands warm when you're riding a horse, right?

 Lansirill wrote:

 wowsmash wrote:

 kronk wrote:

 Rainbow Dash wrote:
GW thinks any word they use is theirs, like space marine and rough rider

Also Rough Riders:

Lol goes to show how tired I am right now. I saw that second pic and was trying to figure out why it said warning pleasure on it then I re-read it.

It's one of those chemical heat packs to keep your hands warm when you're riding a horse, right?

That's not what you call a fine lady, is it?!

Not a bad strategy:

Defend your copyright from becoming public domain

AND

show a history of claiming something as yours that is public domain or someone elses! Genius!

"Recognizable enough to be marketable to fans" is "Recognizable enough to get sued".

You mean the same GW that keeps threatening internet forums on a regular basis?

Hahahahahahaha!

storm knight wrote:

I was wondering what parts of Games Workshops work is coyprighted? Can I use the Aquila or Iquisition symbol or use the phrase "i am the hammer" from Ben Counters book for any commercial selling?

I presume if all this work is copyrighted then Games Workshop does not accept many applications for licenses of such work to be reproduced.

Ask a lawyer. Until then, I'd assume 100% of it is.

its not really what GW has actual copyrights on that really matters, its what GW thinks they have a copyright on. Its not like GW is really shy about sending out C&D letters, then its up to you to decide if you can afford to call the bluff. If your looking to make profit off something they have done / created more then likely they wont approve. Also as seen in the chapterhouse law suite, posting questions like this on public forum could be used against you as all it seems to take is someone mentioning that your doing something wrong and it can be used against you

Dakka is many things, but it's not a place to get legal advice. Those of us who are attorneys aren't going to provide you advice you can rely upon; those who aren't attorneys aren't going to provide you advice that you should rely upon.

As such, this thread doesn't offer much chance for useful conversation on the original topic. Terminated.