So a store I go to regularly wants to run its own X-Wing events and offer its own unique prizes for its tournaments in the form of acrylics.

I am trying to convince them to commission an artist to create an alternate art card, like some that I have seen at other events, however the store owner is concerned about the legality issue of copyright. What would be the legalities surrounding a custom alternate art card? Would it be something I'd have to contact FFG about, or even Lucasfilm?

If it's something you want to use privately or in casual matches it shouldn't be a big deal. People proxy unreleased cards or one they don't have all the time. For officially sanctioned tournaments like regional championships it won't be useable as you need to have a copies of official FFG cards.

I think he meant like actual law, not just tournament regulations (for which you'd just need to make sure you have an official copy on hand).

I don't think FFG or LFL would bother a store for giving away cool custom art cards. Like you mention, other places do it and haven't gotten in trouble.

I think some artists even sell their AA cards for money and if that hasn't bothered FFG or LFL I don't think using them as prizes will.

But I'm not a lawyer.

Hard to say really. It is a price, but people might argue that is part of his store promotion and their own accountant might agree on that. In the moment it becomes part of their business activity a licence from disney would be required. Now this certainly does not stop people to print those alternate art cards, but it still a legal risk. Disney does not give out licenses either and as far as I know FFG can't give them out either.

Though at least I did not hear from anyone trying to get an FFG blessing on his alternate art event prices, so there might be a chance to make those card literally official … would be worth a try.

Generally as long as it's not a pay to get x card usually shouldn't be an issue, There is a ton of "fan art" out there on the web and probably not worth the time and money to pursue every person that makes even a card as a give away.

As to in game legality Pilot cards generally will have no problem with, you can't use a pilot without the cardboard that goes with it so clearly you have purchased the right pack if you have the base plate and such. Though for a big event better off bringing the original in case someone wants to throw a fit about it. when it comes to upgrade cards they would be a no go as sadly that requires a specific purchase to get said cards and would be seen as cutting into profits so would be what would also draw the biggest attention from the lawyers.

The best person to ask would be PLR. He's the most famous non-ffg alt art card producer

The best person to ask would be PLR. He's the most famous non-ffg alt art card producer

Paul la Rue is overdue for a letter from Lucas Licensing …

… though speaking of alternate Art cards as prices. What is totally legal and without any grey areas would be to have the whole alternative art design, printing and everything as part of the price. Tournament winner just gets a free commision and the store deals with the printing for the winner. You even get nice promo pictures for the next tourney, because you should be able to show the results from the last one as part of the promo for the next one. Commissions for private use should be totally legal - IANAL.

Atlanta has had custom alt arts as participation prizes for the whole year. Alt dengar, trandoshan slaver, corran (pre official version), the inquisitor... really great work. Tries to use pilots that are popular so that even when the official kit doesn't have enough to go around, everyone that enters leaves with a prize.

The alternative art itself is fine. It's the use of the Rebel/Imperial/Scum iconography that strays into trademark infringement territory. I know at the Campaign Against Cancer since it was a LFL approved event (they approved the coins), we couldn't give out unofficial alt-art cards as prizes.

Since the cards are also not tournament legal, I'm not a big fan. Leave the alternative art to FFG, there are other cool things stores can do that are free and clear of trademark and copyright issues.

I've always just put the real card behind the alternate if it's not ffg. Because you need the real base, it's not like you won't have the actual card.