I am needing to know how I can get permission to use this game in my Graduation project for college. It is going to be used to make the game more interactive and simulate as much of the game as possible.
Getting permission to use game in senior project
1. They have a contact us section of the web site that you should use.
2. You may want to look up Fair Use.
So long as it is part of a class and not sold, no permission need thanks to Fair Use laws.
It will be a supplement to the game. I am not going to sell it. I will be improving on it after the class to include more than what I have time to do.
As long as you (or anyone) doesn't profit from it, or hurt ffg's profit, it's not an issue. Yes there are more technical details, but for the most part, that will hold true.
Vassal is allowed only if the text on the cards is removed b/c otherwise you wouldn't have to buy the ships.
So for example, you couldn't release to the public a free ipad game that pretty much was X-wing. You could however make it if you only kept it for yourself (b/c you wouldn't be hurting ffg's profits).
Edited by treybertI would actually be a little more careful about assuming fair use. I teach college and I hammer students if they use materials that they're not sure about whether it's legal to use them. Copyright infringement when they get out in the real world can be very expensive, and I would prefer my students develop good habits early. Also, senior projects are often published, which may go beyond fair use. On many occasions in life it is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. This, imo, is not one of those times. Ask ffg.
It will be a supplement to the game. I am not going to sell it. I will be improving on it after the class to include more than what I have time to do.
You can do anything you want with your property. You are not selling anything and you are not infringing on sales. Coming up with your own rules for private use does not break any copy right laws. This isn't even a Fair Use issue.
*I too teach college.
It will be a supplement to the game. I am not going to sell it. I will be improving on it after the class to include more than what I have time to do.
You can do anything you want with your property. You are not selling anything and you are not infringing on sales. Coming up with your own rules for private use does not break any copy right laws. This isn't even a Fair Use issue.
*I too teach college.
I would actually be a little more careful about assuming fair use. I teach college and I hammer students if they use materials that they're not sure about whether it's legal to use them. Copyright infringement when they get out in the real world can be very expensive, and I would prefer my students develop good habits early. Also, senior projects are often published, which may go beyond fair use. On many occasions in life it is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. This, imo, is not one of those times. Ask ffg.
Glad to know there are professors on here.
As long as you (or anyone) doesn't profit from it, or hurt ffg's profit, it's not an issue. Yes there are more technical details, but for the most part, that will hold true.
Vassal is allowed only if the text on the cards is removed b/c otherwise you wouldn't have to buy the ships.
So for example, you couldn't release to the public a free ipad game that pretty much was X-wing. You could however make it if you only kept it for yourself (b/c you wouldn't be hurting ffg's profits).
I will still be using the cards that come with the expansions. I will be simulating the dice rolls, adding sound effects, making the actions more visual, having the computer track the damage, but still deal the cards, etc.
I already sent a ticket in asking for permission, I might hear back tomorrow. I do not know.
It will be a supplement to the game. I am not going to sell it. I will be improving on it after the class to include more than what I have time to do.
You can do anything you want with your property. You are not selling anything and you are not infringing on sales. Coming up with your own rules for private use does not break any copy right laws. This isn't even a Fair Use issue.
*I too teach college.
While each of us certainly owns the game components, we don't own any of the copyright over the intellectual property that comprises said components.
That said, fan-based expansions such as Heroes of the Aturi Cluster have been allowed to exist, and it certainly makes use of the IP of Disney/LFL/FFG. But it's not done for money, and is being distributed entirely free of charge.
academic research with no profit is pretty clear cut fair use.
academic research with no profit is pretty clear cut fair use.
What are you trying to do? I'd e cautious over-scoping, never mind attracting the attention of The Mouse. 
The answer to the copyright/fair use question is "maybe."
Talk to a librarian- they know copyright fairly well and will help keep you out of trouble. (Note: I am a librarian.)
You started with the question "How do I get permission...?" That is the right question to ask, and I think if you've contacted FFG then you're on the right track and need to wait for a response (telephone their office if you don't get an electronic reply quickly enough, although it will be very good to get their response in writing).
"Fair use" is a defensive argument for when you get sued, not for preventing a lawsuit. If you're relying on fair use to save your bacon, you'll still have to have a lawyer.
The answer to the copyright/fair use question is "maybe."
Talk to a librarian- they know copyright fairly well and will help keep you out of trouble. (Note: I am a librarian.)
You started with the question "How do I get permission...?" That is the right question to ask, and I think if you've contacted FFG then you're on the right track and need to wait for a response (telephone their office if you don't get an electronic reply quickly enough, although it will be very good to get their response in writing).
"Fair use" is a defensive argument for when you get sued, not for preventing a lawsuit. If you're relying on fair use to save your bacon, you'll still have to have a lawyer.
All true.
Also true, in a civil court you can only sue for moneys lost. A school project = no moneys lost. Doesn't hurt to ask, but don't expect a reply. Mainly because it isn't in FFG's best interest to reply. You could infer permission to use their product in a way they do not agree with. Because of this, many owners of IP do not reply to requests or clarifications of Fair Use.
The dice business may be a sticking point because FFG does sell a dice rolling app. The damage tracking... probably not so much. Sound effects are property of Lucus Film... may have trouble there. It might be fun making your own sounds. Blasters are the sound of metal striking taut wires.
What are you trying to do? I'd e cautious over-scoping, never mind attracting the attention of The Mouse.
As I have said above:
I will still be using the cards that come with the expansions. I will be simulating the dice rolls, adding sound effects, making the actions more visual, having the computer track the damage, but still deal the cards, etc.
I will also be using servos to simulate the action of target lock (imagine a radar dish), Laser pointers with photo-resistors to simulate laser blasts. Still thinking of other things to add. I will be using a raspberry pi and a couple of arduinos to control the stuff.
The dice business may be a sticking point because FFG does sell a dice rolling app. The damage tracking... probably not so much. Sound effects are property of Lucus Film... may have trouble there. It might be fun making your own sounds. Blasters are the sound of metal striking taut wires.
I have bought the dice app. The app is more visual based, my dice roller will be text based. The sound effects will hopefully be altered a bit, if I cannot alter them then I will not use them.
Also this would be for personal use.
Edited by NonusLegioGood luck to you! Sounds like a fun project. Care to tell us more?
"Fair use" is a defensive argument for when you get sued, not for preventing a lawsuit. If you're relying on fair use to save your bacon, you'll still have to have a lawyer.
Not necessarily the case, depending on if you are in the US, and what area of the US. The recent "dancing baby" case has some significant implications for fair use as a factor that must be considered before a C&D, takedown notice, or lawsuit are commenced.
That being said, there is NO presumptively fair use in the United States. There are categories that are almost always considered fair use, but nothing is a sure bet. If you don't get FFG's permission, it is not a good idea to proceed, and your next call should be to an attorney that specializes in IP (specifically copyright).
Good luck to you! Sounds like a fun project. Care to tell us more?
I am still hammering out what I am going to do.
Fair use is one thing but don't forget that Disney owns all of the Star Wars related trademarks so you will have to have permission from them to be able to use the names of the ships and pilots, etc in anything you have.
Fair use is one thing but don't forget that Disney owns all of the Star Wars related trademarks so you will have to have permission from them to be able to use the names of the ships and pilots, etc in anything you have.
Good point. Anyone know how I would go about getting Disney's permission?
It would also be free advertisement too.
I might get in trouble for this, but here is my EET 253 project that went screwy the day before presentation.
IP law in general is a strange duck. Suing for infringement doesn't have to entail loss of revenue, simply misuse of the copyrighted material. The fines are expensive and going to court to prove fair use is, too. I would agree (although not being an attorney I can't agree too forcefully) that personal use is safe, but since you're doing it for a class it's perhaps a little more than personal use. Even academic use has its limits. Reproducing an excerpt in a critical work is an example of academic use. Arranging a piece of copyrighted music for performance in class would be fair use, but performing for a diverse audience woukd require a mechanical license and probably a performance license, although in the case of music most universities maintain a blanket license for this. The rules are a convoluted and complicated mess. I would at least have a chat with your instructor and a librarian. Again, I'm not a lawyer, but I would think that if you are running afoul of copyrights (unless your instructor is a nitpicking jerk like me) the worst you would face would be a cease and desist letter.
Good luck!
Also, copyright can change depending on where you live. International copyright can be a headache to deal with.