Use of an item in a rendered image is a fuzzy area. There are a number of good references on the various applications of copyright laws posted, I believe one is still posted at Vision Graphics [sidebar link on right]. As a general rule o thumb, stuff at the 3DCC has to contain that disclaimer because Marvel and DC, Image etc own the trademarks to the likenesses of those characters and names. If you do a profit render or comic using Spiderman or Batman, it's not the model creator you have to worry about - it's the lawyers of DC and Marvel. ;] Same goes for likenesses of StarTrek, StarWars and Babylon 5 characters. Use of props and freestuff caracters owned solely by the creator, that are not trademark registered is a bit grayer. Best suggestion is to look up the pertinent copyright code... and contact the author of the item to ask on use. Possibly, if they want to see some return for your use of the item in a commercial project, offer/negotiate a standard limited use, multiple use or full use conrtact with them in which they recieve a lump fee and possibly a percentage. The graphics arts guild has reams of info on the various standard use agreements and contracts. As far as contacting... even if they don't have a readme, one can generally browse freestuff to re locate the item, then contact them via site mail or private message.

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• Monkeysmell