Hi William, Unfortunately, it is near impossible for a small time developer to get legal permission to use big name copyrights. Especially, million dollar copyrights such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and Tomb Raider. I've already been down that road with very nasty and negative results to show for it. A little over a year ago I began trying to contact Lucas Film Limited's copyright office. Getting the proper contact information itself was a pain to get, and I kind of think they don't want just anyone applying for copyright permission. I finally wrote them a very detailed email of why I wanted the copyright, what I was doing, and when I finally heard back from someone the response was pretty clear I didn't have a prayer of getting a legal license for Star Wars. There were several reasons that killed my chances in obtaining a legal license to use the Star Wars copyrights and trademarks. Let me fill you in on those details. First, you need to understand these guys have big ideas about making money. The Lucas Licensing department made it very clear to me that they only license to major companies that can afford the licensing fees. Usually toy, book, and game companies that have millions of dollars in change to toss around. I simply did not have the millions of dollars to compete with Hasbro, Bantam Double Day Publishing, etc who spend millions in retaining their legal licenses for Star Wars products. Second, I discovered that Lucas Licensing offers only exclusive licenses. What that means that only one company at a time can own a license for that type of product. For example, because Hasbro Toys owns the license for Star Wars and Indiana Jones action figures Mattel Inc can not apply for a license to create a similar product. As a result because Lucas Arts holds the video game license for Star Wars and Indiana Jones video games USA Games can not acquire the rights to create a similar product. Even though my games would not be for the general public, even though Lucas Arts games are not accessible, I can't qualify for a license under the terms of the license agreement. Finally, you need to understand there isn't enough blind gamers around to get large companies interest in taking up the cause of accessible gaming. Our mailing list has about 200 active members at any given time, and that number is a drop in the bucket compared to the millions of people buying mainstream Star Wars products like action figures, books, movies, comics, posters, etc. In the scheme of things 200 people just don't register as a viable market. As far as the Tomb Raider copyrights goes I haven't contacted the copyright holders for permission mainly because I am not too hopeful of acquiring the licenses I want. The existing Tomb Raider products such as the movies, toys, and games have sold millions world wide. A small time developer such as myself has nothing to offer the copyright holder. For example, let us say i could license Tomb Raider for 25% of my sales. That means if I sold $1000 in sales $250 goes to the copyright holder which is mere change to those guys. Almost not even worth collecting from me. However, to USA Games that $250 could be spent on sound effects for a new game, or I could spend it on my wife's car insurance bill. Even if I could get the legal rights to do the real Tomb Raider deal that $250 would be best spent in my pocket for things I want or need rather than giving it away to an ungreatful copyright holder who can do without my money.
william lomas wrote: > simple then, smile, attempt to get the permission if that doesn't work > then i agree make a different version > --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
