Copyright and creating maps question

[joeyjordison]

when creating a map do you have to draw the image from scratch or can you use a copyrighted image. i wouldn't have thought you would be able to as cc is a money making sight and so that contradicts the terms of the copyright.

[kevinc]

Whether CC makes money or not doesn't change copyright law. It's a common misconception. If something is under copyright, you cannot use it unless you are given legal permission.

There are certain exceptions, for example in reviews and parody, but unless you specifically know you have the right to use it, you probably don't:

Some on copyright:
http://www.amfed.org/a_copyfact.htm

However, depending on what you need, you can buy cheap stock content on istockphoto.com and there are also some image libraries online that are licenced under an open Creative Commons licence that you could legally use.

Good luck!

[Marvaddin]

Real life countries or territories cant be copyrighted. I mean, the shape of Brazil is not ownership of anyone. So i can get a map in the net, modify it in a way there is no tip of the original image, so there is no problem in this. Same idea, is the political division of the USA ownership of a person? Of course not, so you can get any map, modify it, and if there is no tip of the original, its impossible get any problems. Fantastic maps are more problematic in this question... If they are part of a game, for example, you cant use them, or make other based on. Only for use the title, you can have problems. So, get the permission or be creative.

[wcaclimbing]

hey as long as there is no trace of the map you took it from, the person that made it cant say "look here! he stole and changed my map and this little part is proof cause it isnt changed"

[joeyjordison]

thanks for the response. will take this into consideration.

[SprCobra]

Just dont steal anything you may become very Hated
Look at the link that guy is such an asshole he has his own hate website
You dont want to be an asshole do you?

Stealing things is bad...

[Marvaddin]

But as I said, you cant steal the shape or political division, or geographic characteristics of a real country or territory. They arent ownership of any person or company. There is no problem making real maps... Its with fictional maps you will need real creativity.

[joeyjordison]

well i might just make my own map entirely. 'the world of joey'
everyone would love it

[Ronaldinho]

well i might just make my own map entirely. 'the world of joey'
everyone would love it

Land of Ronaldinho.