designing copyright problem

[fold-it-all]

Um so say I want to publish a design thats a character from a show or game into a book. Would I have to ask the people who created it or can I have it as an interpretation or something like that?

[origamimasterjared]

I'm operating under the idea that as long as you don't sell the design, or sell diagrams, or sell anything in any way related you're fine. It's the same as if someone draws/paints/sculpts a character likeness.

If you intend it to be involved with money in anyway, like if it's in a book, then I think you do need to contact whomever holds the rights.

[fold-it-all]

ok thank you very much for the clarification. i guess ill have to contact Hideo Kojima, or konami or something like that. because i plan on diagramming a whole series from the metal gear solid series.

[DeeBee]

It is my understanding that you may not use anyone's copywrighted material without their permission. Where money comes in, is in a damages suit. There you don't have to be making money, the injured party has to make the case that THEIR potential income was damaged.

[legionzilla]

Yep, if you are making a book with diagrams of for example, optimus prime, you have to call it something like- big robot.
For example, in Kamiya's book, his chocobo was called 'Yellow Bird' and his Bahumat, 'Divine Dragon'.
Hope you get the gist of it.

[PauliusOrigami]

When authors write on their diagrams "2008 (C) Copyrighted. All rights reserved" , for example, that means that they formally owned their rights?
Can i write it on my diagrams if i just want? do i need to make it officially somehow?
i hope you get it, what i am asking about.. Thanks

[Jonnycakes]

My understanding is that you can just write copyright on your diagrams if you don't want people to steal your stuff.

[DeeBee]

Copywright label makes it clear, but if it is your original idea, it is copywrighted automatically in the United States