LBP Starts to Stink

I'm sure that many of the LBP maps could pass the muster for fair usage, but I think that Sony is not going to take any chances. They own the servers, the maps are on their servers. Therefore, any litigation from another company would be directed squarely at them and could mean millions of dollars. And since they are a big, rich powerful company they would definitely attract attention, far more so than some 17 year old living in his parents' basement who has no real income.

[QUOTE="Blackbond"]How come they just can't have it like PC Mods? Is it because PC is an open platform while PS3 is not?SpruceCaboose

More or less, yes.

On PC, since its open, if I make a level that steals an IP, I am the one responsible, and suing me would be useless, as I have no money.

Making a level in LBP that steals an IP, since its closed and policed by Sony/MM, puts me and Sony/MM at fault, and Sony/MM have money, and are a great target to sue.

PC mod creators that use another IP (say, Star Wars or Stargate) typically need to ask the IP owner for a blessing to use said IP. For example, a few years ago there was a Star Wars mod for the UT2004 Make Something Unreal Contest, and they had to do that. I'm sure there are those that don't, but real fans go the extra mile to cover their bases. The fact that the PC is an "open platform" really does't mean that it's OK to do it, but that it can easily be done.

Oh, and I'm no Intellectual Property lawyer, but I don't think that this LBP issue is copyright infringement, but trademark infringement. You're not making a physical copy of an IP, but using trademarked likenesses of those IPs. But I may be out of my legal depths...

I think I know how to bypass this anyway. Just make all the GoW, GeOW, MGS, Sonic, Megaman levels you want. Just don't name them after the games that gave you the idea. And hey presto, free from all level deletions. It's very clear that they just look at the name alone and delete away and then call it copyright infringment.Dahaka-UK

In the US, and that would be risky anyway, as its still being used in a for profit game.

LBP is a worldwide game, and as such has to abide by laws in all the countries.

SpruceCaboose

It's used in a for-profit game, but the maps themselves are not for profit. They are free of charge and are not included on the media that comes with the game.

I'm not sure how the server-client relationship works for LBP, but if the content remains on the servers in the US (and cannot be transferred to the client in another country) then I believe no laws would be violated....if fair-use applies, that is. This is a gray area though.

This is a definitely a litigation issue, but you CAN use copyrights in certain instances if the work is deemed transformative and the extent to which it effects the original work's value. There is a gray area here as well. I don't think anybody here can definitively state that copyrights are definitely violated - that's up to the courts to decide. The thing is, Sony is not taking any chances at all. They are not going to risk it. I think that's wise.

PC mod creators that use another IP (say, Star Wars or Stargate) typically need to ask the IP owner for a blessing to use said IP. For example, a few years ago there was a Star Wars mod for the UT2004 Make Something Unreal Contest, and they had to do that. I'm sure there are those that don't, but real fans go the extra mile to cover their bases. The fact that the PC is an "open platform" really does't mean that it's OK to do it, but that it can easily be done.

Oh, and I'm no Intellectual Property lawyer, but I don't think that this LBP issue is copyright infringement, but trademark infringement. You're not making a physical copy of an IP, but using trademarked likenesses of those IPs. But I may be out of my legal depths...

SteezyZ

No you are correct. I was just using the blanket term copyright, whereas its using trademarks and/or likenesses.

And yes, you can get permission, but I was only stating that most developers/publishers would not go after most mod makers that are not making money, as there is little financial reason to do so, but if the IP or trademarks are being used negatively, unusually they send out cease and desist letters, or start legislation to stop the use of their properties.

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]

In the US, and that would be risky anyway, as its still being used in a for profit game.

LBP is a worldwide game, and as such has to abide by laws in all the countries.

thinicer

It's used in a for-profit game, but the maps themselves are not for profit. They are free of charge and are not included on the media that comes with the game.

I'm not sure how the server-client relationship works for LBP, but if the content remains on the servers in the US (and cannot be transferred to the client in another country) then I believe no laws would be violated....if fair-use applies, that is. This is a gray area though.

This is a definitely a litigation issue, but you CAN use copyrights in certain instances if the work is deemed transformative and the extent to which it effects the original work's value. There is a gray area here as well. I don't think anybody here can definitively state that copyrights are definitely violated - that's up to the courts to decide. The thing is, Sony is not taking any chances at all. They are not going to risk it. I think that's wise.

Like I said, this looks more like a trademark issue. Using a trademarked character or setting in a transformed way doesn't get you off the hook.

What does seem strange is that you can get a Kratos suit in LBP, but can't make a GoW level :-/

[QUOTE="river_rat3117"]:cry: i was almost done with my "Jura'sack' Park" level too :cry:TREAL_Since

Aww man that sucks :(.

Just remove the jurassic park logos and all stuff that are copyrighted. It's not like they can't stop you from creating a level with prehistoric animals.

So LBP didn't deserve it's score bcause of this? This will only push users to make even more original levels (even though it's a sad thing we won't see copyrighted characters/ materials).TREAL_Since

Agree. Some of my favorite levels have been totally original like Azure Palace and Color World. (think I got those names right) I played another one that was really great the other day but can't remember the name. Anyway point is there are and will continue to be a ton of great and original levels.

Also some of the levels like God of War can easily be put back up by just removing the God of War stickers and reposting under a different name.

Like I said, this looks more like a trademark issue. Using a trademarked character or setting in a transformed way doesn't get you off the hook.

SteezyZ

I'm not saying it does. These matters are usually handled in court - it's up to them to decide. It's avoided all-together if permission is sought from the owner first, which is what everybody should be doing.

back down to 2 reasons to get a ps3surrealnumber5

LBP is going to go down as one of the classics of this gen and I feel bad for anyone who doesn't get the chance to play it.

I was wondering what happened to the Batman level.. :(

WOW, so much for the devs knowing anything

User created content, the Devs cant be held responsable for it. look at spore, there is just about everythign you can think of, and it all looks exactly like it, not remotely resembling it as LBP has alot. and that stuff never gets deleted unless its a giant wang or something

Whats wrong with making your own level? Back in the day, coping off of someone this was called "Biting" "Beat biter, dope style takers". People need to make there own ish!CubanBlunt

what?

User created content, the Devs cant be held responsable for it.

shadow_hosi

[QUOTE="Darth_DuMas"][QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]

Its unfortunate, but expected. You cannot use other companies' copyrights.

This should not affect the score, as the game was scored for what it was, not for the community. The community just has to start being creative in different ways.

IronBass

Using someone elses copyright material shouldn't be a big thing as long as you don't make profit from it.

Actually it is.

[QUOTE="TREAL_Since"]So LBP didn't deserve it's score bcause of this? This will only push users to make even more original levels (even though it's a sad thing we won't see copyrighted characters/ materials).EmperorSupreme

Agree. Some of my favorite levels have been totally original like Azure Palace and Color World. (think I got those names right) I played another one that was really great the other day but can't remember the name. Anyway point is there are and will continue to be a ton of great and original levels.

Also some of the levels like God of War can easily be put back up by just removing the God of War stickers and reposting under a different name.

Exactly. In the end, I see no big problem.

Even MM said something about this before LBP released. Keep in mind that I'm paraphrasing here: We know people will create interesting levels like Mario, but they will have to change things like the name so it will be acceptable.

So because people can't use copyrighted names or items or anything, the entire game sucks?

Wasn't the premise of the game to be creative and original?

I agree that it sucks to a certain degree, but really: just make up your own stuff! Is that any less fun? Does that give you any more or less replayability?

Or make a few changes to whatever you used as basis(MGS, Sonic, mario, etc) and don't explicitly call your level like that.

Play, Create, Share, Moderated.

I seriously cannot comprehend why people ever wanted this game to begin with and/or continue to buy it. Cloud_Insurance

the best stuff is the most original stuff

and wasnt this obvious you cant just make stuff of other games and films maby if you give credit to the creators in the description you might get away with it

ps. who wants to play my new game called "metal gears liquid" its about a agent who has to sneak into bases and save stuff

i thought you could make a parody of any ip without threath from the law. and considering all these levels have little sackboys running around wouldnt that automaticaly make it a parody of any ip that someone makes into a level.

Can you give credit to...? Is that a possible stop of the modding?

They seriously deleted the GoW level? That was the best level in the whole game.

Very ridiculous.

Its unfortunate, but expected. You cannot use other companies' copyrights.

This should not affect the score, as the game was scored for what it was, not for the community. The community just has to start being creative in different ways.

SpruceCaboose

Actually, this is only true in the US. In canada, copywrite laws are very different, and u can make personal copies as long as you aren't profiting from it, as in user created content duplicating other peoples IP is not illegal, and can be left on... however since the main servers are in US, stuff will be deleted regardless.

"Come one come all, play the game that lets you create custom levels... sort of. We will delete your posting with no warning and no backup, but come spend hours makig it anyways!!" - Developers of LBP

People are over reacting.

A) Most of the TRULY GOOD levels have no relation to anything.

B) Just repost / rename the levels. The God of War level? Aside from some Omegas, its nothing specific to the actual God of War franchise.

This game never did really appeal to me. Although I flirted with picking it up a couple of times, something told me that the novelty of it would wear thin fairly quickly. Not to mention that the idea of having to wade through horrible levels in order to find the real gems just did not seem all that appealing....at least for me.ironcreed

[QUOTE="ironcreed"]This game never did really appeal to me. Although I flirted with picking it up a couple of times, something told me that the novelty of it would wear thin fairly quickly. Not to mention that the idea of having to wade through horrible levels in order to find the real gems just did not seem all that appealing....at least for me.Eddie-Vedder

Think what you want, however, I think I am certainly entitled to my opinion. I just personally do not find the game very appealing, and feel that it would get old very quickly for me. Just speaking for myself here, my friend.

[QUOTE="Eddie-Vedder"][QUOTE="ironcreed"]This game never did really appeal to me. Although I flirted with picking it up a couple of times, something told me that the novelty of it would wear thin fairly quickly. Not to mention that the idea of having to wade through horrible levels in order to find the real gems just did not seem all that appealing....at least for me.ironcreed

Think what you want, however, I think I am certainly entitled to my opinion. I just personally do not find the game very appealing, and feel that it would get old very quickly for me. Just speaking for myself here, my friend.

That's fine and all, I just don't think you know enough about the game to make and educated opinion. Good thing it isn't a pre requisite around here :P And about the going through bad levels to find gems, it's setup in a you tubesque style thing so the community will push the gems to the top.

[QUOTE="ironcreed"]

[QUOTE="Eddie-Vedder"] I think your misinformed actually. But I'll leave it at that.Eddie-Vedder

Think what you want, however, I think I am certainly entitled to my opinion. I just personally do not find the game very appealing, and feel that it would get old very quickly for me. Just speaking for myself here, my friend.

That's fine and all, I just don't think you know enough about the game to make and educated opinion. Good thing it isn't a pre requisite around here :P And about the going through bad levels to find gems, it's setup in a you tubesque style thing so the community will push the gems to the top.

Actually, I have been following it since it was announced. Just because I do not find the game appealing, you presume to tell me that I do not know enough about it to form an 'educated' opinion of it, lol? I am glad you know me so well to assume such. Not everyone has the same taste in things. I'll think I will leave it that.

I knew that was coming from the moment I saw the news about it being delayed for the Arabic lyrics from the Quran in some of the songs to be taken out. What is the point in custom content if you don't let the community make it? I think consoles should remain consoles and leave all the PC stuff up to PC.foxhound_fox