Folks,

I've recently posted a series of pictures which I really really loved, featuring a 3D rigged figure which looked like a hand-drawn comic, which I bought from a Poser content vendor's site. 

It has come to my attention that the figure appears to be a blatant copy of a character called Gaige from a game called Borderlands, and as far as I can ascertain, is a direct infringment of copyright.  I have therefore deleted the images; if you were kind enought o post a comment or to fave the images, I apologise, but hope you can understand.  I have no interest in defaming the vendor so have purposefully not identified them.

Just curious, I assume these were pics you created using a character you purchased that looks like a character from a game? My question is, is it indeed a copyright infringement to create a character that looks like one from a game or movie? I know that the resources they use you cant use without permission or fair use but is it wrong to create a fn pic? I had thought that for example if you created a John Wayne character to use in pics thats ok. Just wondering.

Seems to me the vendor copied the line art, hairstyles, clothes and everything, even down to a symbol on the character's belt, not just the likeness as in making a 3D model to resemble someone famous (although I think even that might be open to question under copyright law).  If it was my artwork being copied I'd be pretty ticked off.  A real shame; if he'd tweaked them a bit, maybe added different textures and props I'd be ok, but I'm uncomfortable using what appear to be exact copies of someone else's artwork.  The concept though is great - Poser cartoon figures look brilliant, no more trying for photorealism for me!

ah gotcha, very sad then my friend.

Are you sure it just wasn't the Vendor's character that was copyrighted? There has been issues with game developers using characters from vendors who didn't have the proper licencse but the game developers think because they bought it they can use it.

Borderland appears to be put out by a major company so you would think they would have the resources to create their own models.  On the other hand the strange mishmash of styles seen in the game trailer does make you wonder.

Quote - Are you sure it just wasn't the Vendor's character that was copyrighted? There has been issues with game developers using characters from vendors who didn't have the proper licencse but the game developers think because they bought it they can use it.

No, I've seen the vendor's attempt at defending his actions in a forum on his own website; lame and factually incorrect.  A real shame as he's obviously really talented and could produce something similar of is own, based on what I've seen of his work.

I'm gutted as the comic-book style is exactly what I've been looking for for Poser for years....!

Quote - Folks,

I've recently posted a series of pictures which I really really loved, featuring a 3D rigged figure which looked like a hand-drawn comic, which I bought from a Poser content vendor's site. 

It has come to my attention that the figure appears to be a blatant copy of a character called Gaige from a game called Borderlands.

Forender?

I know photorealism has been the Holy Gral for years for most people in CG. I enjoy the challenge, but it's never been my goal.

I assume you are talking about the set from Forender, and yes, that is blatant plagiarizm, no doubt about it.

Ah well, hopefully I've explained to anyone who might have wondered what happened to the images in question from my gallery. Grateful if this thread could be locked now.