RE: [Epic] Replicate Miniatures

From: Miller, Chris <CMiller_at_...>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 1997 09:57:58 -0700

>
>>-----> since you're new, I'll cut you some slack:
>>
>>Replicating copyrighted mini's is illegal. If you want
>>more, you need to buy 'em, from GW, from a friend,
>>from a stranger, whatever. Just because you own one
>>does not grant the right to make more.
>>
>>Chris Miller
>
>It's nice to hear from loywer-gamers-hobbyists our rights.
>
>I would like some additional professional opinion just to clarify things in
>our rights as hobbyists.
>
> Questions :
>
> 1. Replicating models, is it illegal even if you do it for your own
>use. I mean not to sell them and definetely not to get any profit by any
>means.
----> Still not supposed to cast your own - you are buying the finished
product, not
the "right to use, etc" like you would a software package.
> 2. What about copying a CD to tape ? ( to listen your favorite classic
>composer in your car )?
----> Not real relevant, and I'm not sure. Again, there's some of that
"license" thing
going on with books, software, and music that doesn't cross over into
mini's.

> 3. What if you replicate a model but never use it as it was originally
>designed. I mean to use some (replicated) parts of it in a scratchbuild
>project.
-----> If you copy several other people's work, then combine them and
call 'em
your own, you may still have a problem. If you don't sell it, no one is
probably
going to care, but it still seems a little fishy.

> 4. What if you replicate a model that is not supported by the
>manufacturer any more.
-----> Doesn't matter if they "support" it. Define "support". I assume
you mean no longer
in production. Just 'cause they aren't selling them any more doesn't
mean they've given
up the rights to it. Same as a new mini.

> 5. What about the replicating technics described in detail in some
>serious modelling magazines & books. Do you think that these guys know that
>? Are the manufactures aware of this ?
-----> There's "making your own parts/models" and then there's "making a
mold using someone
else's work to make copies you haven't paid for". They are quite clearly
two different things.
As far as getting sued, this is usually only a problem if you sell them.
However,by casting copies
of a mini, you are taking away money from the company/person who made
it. On some
level, this gives them less reason to continue making them, and
personally I think it's wrong.

There is a reason for all those (c) 19xx GW on the stubs of those
mini's...
>
> Cheers,
> Christos
>
> PS. 1. Model donations accepted not to become an outlaw.
----> Well, heck, I'll accept 'em too if anyone's donating...
> 2. Chris, nothing personal :)
----> Didn't mean to come on too strong, but this same thing comes up
with
hackers & "warez" guys too and just wanted to nip it in the bud before
we're
tagged as an "outlaw" list.


Chris Miller
Received on Mon Sep 22 1997 - 16:57:58 UTC