I'm posting in here as many folks seem to know about copyright amongst the Poser community, due to merchandizing and such like, hope you can help :) I've made 3d models of ships based on a a fantasy game setting (Spelljammer for Dungeouns and Dragons, which is no longer an "active" setting but does have a fan base and official website with the ships designs in 2D). The models are not exact copies , about 90%, with my own texturing. I put the models on my site for dowload, free, no commercial useage, and read me explains they are based on the game setting and that the game setting is copyright of the respective company. Am I ok in regards to copyright, as I don't want to cause any problems or get into any. I don't know how copyright applies in this case, like if oyu made a .3ds model of a Lambourghini, would that actually infinge copyright of the car's manufacturers??

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12395

Hi, To answer you, you cannot use a copyrighted stuff without the author (holder) authorization. However, when you dot it for free those guys assume that as free advertising. I put the link to the specific forum to talk about that. Cheers Guy

THank ye kindly :) I emialed the company in question Here's a thought though: With so much artistic work being created now...with so much of it being stored and thus can be brought up as proof... NO ONE will be able to make art that someone else can't challenge as being a copy, almost copy, infringment or such?

Attached Link: Copyright Infringement and Remedies

"NO ONE will be able to make art that someone else can't challenge as being a copy, almost copy, infringment or such?" It has to be proven that there was a willful attempt at copying, (such as access to the original), pure happenstance does not justify infringement. Also, after the period of copyright protection has expired, and material enters public domain, then it is perfectly legal to use this public domain material in whatever manner one sees fit.