Hello FFG,

I see a number of individuals creating alternate art for certain cards. Personally, I really enjoy the ideas and I would like to create some alternate art cards myself. The question I'm asking, is it legal?

Of course, I understand only alternate image cards created by FFG are tourney legal. However, if someone wanted to make some for fun, could they?

Rather than go into an extended discussion of copyright law, I'll just mention that the issue was discussed in detail as part of this episode of the Beyond the Wall podcast.

Rather than go into an extended discussion of copyright law, I'll just mention that the issue was discussed in detail as part of this episode of the Beyond the Wall podcast.

I do appreciate the help, but I need a concrete visible answer. The reason is because I am working with an artist and he is a little apprehensive about making alternate image cards for fear of it being illegal.

I don't mean to be a bother but it would greatly clarify the matter.

I need to be able to show him that it was on the FFG forums.

FFG Forums is not anything remotely approaching official. I literally just noticed again you opened your post with "hello FFG", which when I first read the thread yesterday I thought was being used ironically, since FFG does not monitor these forums at all let alone ever make official communications on them. If you want chaperonage for your alt arts, you won't find it here. You'll have to contact FFG, and FFG will not give you a green light. But if you want to go that route their phone number and address are in the back of the rulebook. Good luck.

Short answer is YES fan art cards are a copyright violation, but one which is unlikely to spur FFG to action as long as nobody's making money selling the product containing pirated elements. But they're not about to tell you it's okay.

Rather than go into an extended discussion of copyright law, I'll just mention that the issue was discussed in detail as part of this episode of the Beyond the Wall podcast.

I do appreciate the help, but I need a concrete visible answer. The reason is because I am working with an artist and he is a little apprehensive about making alternate image cards for fear of it being illegal.

I don't mean to be a bother but it would greatly clarify the matter.

Yeah, you won't get one from FFG. That episode of Beyond the Wall has us actually discuss (with a lawyer) the boundaries of what can be defensibly considered fair use, what is clearly not, and so on. It's not legal advice, but it an exploration of some of the legal landscape you're worried about. It's the most thorough in the history of the LCG, so it really is the best place to get your info.