brand patents and names

hello all.

I am working on a copter game now, and I have a question…

I know that if you develop a car game, and you want to use real models and names, you need to buy a license.

and for weapons? are dev companies paying for using “desert eagle” model and name?

Yes.

Product names can definitely get you in hot water, and even weapons that are a little too close to the source material (particularly those with distinctive design elements) have got devs in trouble before.

Obviously a forum isn’t the best place for legal advice, but car, weapon and fighter jet makers are all willing to defend their IP.

you see, this is a good place as well… :lol:

but I have to give you the reason, I know someone who works on Patents and I am asking here :?

I read several times that even using car designs can get you in trouble. If your car model is deemed to close to an existing car you will get lawyer visits.

In fact I even read (sorry didn’t keep those links) that making your car too realistic (aka your car makes “too easily” an accident on a wet road or in a step curve) will get you in trouble in case you had an agreement with a car producer. Seems they don’t like to show how easily you can crash their car they try to sell as sure :roll:

Just my two cents but I would make cars so custom that they don’t look like existing cars. Once you have a whole company behind you then you can contact car manufacturers and expect to be paid in including their models in your game. Why making free publicity for guys overpricing their junks… sorry cars.

No idea about guns. But I have the impression that they are much less protective about it. In fact it serves their business/marketing!

were’nt there even some copyright issues regarding using a specific cathedral buildings in Hellgate London ( if my memory does’nt fail). Or what about the Eiffel Tower - am i allowed to put it into my Game and eg. let it get bombed down to the floorlevel ?

That was Resistance: Fall of Man and the church lost that particular case.

Correct answer: “it depends”

In principle, you are allowed to include landmarks to convey a setting or location, so in that sense the Eiffel Tower is fair game. Virtually bombing it down to the ground may or may not offend the city of Paris. They may or may not choose to sue you for that. Their case may or may not have merit in court…

Problem is the answer to these kinds of questions are never a clear cut “yes” or “no”.

Hence the usual advice: consult a lawyer (or stay away from real landmarks, brands, designs not owned by you)