Question about World War II equipment/vehicles copyright

[[DeGenerals]Trebor]

Hey guys, I love Your games, I've got a question, bit offtopic:

I'm game developer myself, and my project also shows World War II equipment and vehicles (mostly tanks and props connected with it).

Does a developer need a special license for each vehicle/symbol/prop shown in the game?

@Graviteam, do You guys know if this is needed and, if so, how to get one?

Thanks in advance, Rob

[andrey12345 v2.0]

I've never heard of this. In what aspect of copyright? Are you going to reproduce a copy of the vehicles in real world, or what?

[[DeGenerals]Trebor]

Hey andrey,

Not reproduce, but use the name of a tank or a prop in the game. The game is about tank restoration process, so there will be alot of small elements or parts, like engine etc. which copyright can be owned by someone.

Ofcourse we got the tank and tank parts models modelled already, but the question still remains if one can use the original name in a commercial way. Just like modern guns copyright, for instance M4 carbines. To use their name legally in the game, the developer needs to have a special license

[Frenchy56]

Originally posted by Trebor:

Hey andrey,

Not reproduce, but use the name of a tank or a prop in the game. The game is about tank restoration process, so there will be alot of small elements or parts, like engine etc. which copyright can be owned by someone.

Ofcourse we got the tank and tank parts models modelled already, but the question still remains if one can use the original name in a commercial way. Just like modern guns copyright, for instance M4 carbines. To use their name legally in the game, the developer needs to have a special license

If it isn't a big game like GTA or something you should be able to do it without worrying too much.
Big racing games are endorsed by companies, but a small game about repairing an old beat-up 70 year old tank probably won't get as much attention.

[andrey12345 v2.0]

Originally posted by Trebor:

Hey andrey,

Not reproduce, but use the name of a tank or a prop in the game. The game is about tank restoration process, so there will be alot of small elements or parts, like engine etc. which copyright can be owned by someone.

Ofcourse we got the tank and tank parts models modelled already, but the question still remains if one can use the original name in a commercial way. Just like modern guns copyright, for instance M4 carbines. To use their name legally in the game, the developer needs to have a special license

Sorry, but this is a very strange proposal. So you can get to the fact that the names of soldiers, too, must receive copyrights.
In every case there must be common sense. In this case, it seems to me a little broken.

M4 is not the name of the carbine, it is the military index under which it is adopted. The name is "Colt Model 920", in this case, if suddenly you instead of M4 call it using the Colt's trade mark, then it's better to settle this issue somehow. But it seems to me in such a title there is no special need.

[andrey12345 v2.0]

Originally posted by Frenchy56:

If it isn't a big game like GTA or something you should be able to do it without worrying. Big racing games are endorsed by companies, but a small game about repairing an old beat-up 70 year old tank probably won't get as much attention.

Nevertheless, we do not use "trademarks" in the game, which are protected by law. Military indices and nicknames of vehicles and weapons, obviously are not trademarks.

[Frenchy56]

I'd believe they'd be more concerned about products they're currently able to sell, too. Who cares about old 80 year old tank parts that belong in museums or in history buff mechanic's hands?
Anyway, it's still not 100% safe to use trademarks in your game. Just stick with the model number and maybe heavily hint at its origin.

I'm looking at my IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad main menu and all the trademarks and copyrights they talk about are for the technologies they use. Meanwhile the Fw-190's engine model name, which was made by BMW, is clearly in the specifications of the plane in-game. The BMW-801.

[andrey12345 v2.0]

Originally posted by Frenchy56:

I'd believe they'd be more concerned about products they're currently able to sell, too. Who cares about old 80 year old tank parts that belong in museums or in history buff mechanic's hands?

There is no cause for concern at all. Well, who will use the factory names and trademarks in the game instead of military designations? This is how the minimum is unclear and strange.

For example, "Chrysler Corporation, Defense Division, Detroit Tank Arsenal, Medium Tank, T????" instead of M4 Sherman, or "Sherman I".

I have not seen such kind of games.

[andrey12345 v2.0]

Originally posted by Frenchy56:

Meanwhile the Fw-190's engine model name, which was made by BMW, is clearly in the specifications of the plane in-game. The BMW-801.

Strongly unlikely, since a game plane can not fly in the real world, but a real plane with this engine, in a virtual one.

[Old School Internet Warlord]

Well,I`ve heard, according to german law, after 70 years there isn`t copyright anymore, as long as the owner doesn`t renew it.
And I don`t think any german company will make claims on third reich designs...Most involved companies tend to keep this age in silence.