Copyright on weapon design...

Status
Not open for further replies.

tailstrike

Thinking, always thinking!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
171
Reaction score
8
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Just wondering what the copyright limitations are for weapons...Swords in particular more specifically fantasy swords...

Cheers
 

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Messages
18,595
Reaction score
3,992
Location
Brillig in the slithy toves...
Do you mean swords in general or using an instantly recognizable sword like Excalibur?

I don't think you can copyright a sword; it's a historical weapon, not something requiring blueprints that no one else would know how to make. Even in the case of Excalibur, that's folklore. It's probably public domain.
 

GregB

practical experience, FTW
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Messages
655
Reaction score
291
Just wondering what the copyright limitations are for weapons...Swords in particular more specifically fantasy swords...
Cheers

You can't copyright a weapon. You could trademark the name of a weapon. For example, don't call your sword a lightsaber.
 

Mac H.

Board Visitor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
2,812
Reaction score
406
The 'look & feel' of products (such as Coca Cola cans, weapons, etc) are covered by trademark & 'design marks' (sometimes called 'design patents') rather than copyright.

The 'design marks' aren't like normal patents .. there doesn't have to be anything inventive or novel in the design .. just distinctive.

In fact, if there is an aspect of the weapon that is useful (perhaps a hilt that prevents damage to the hand) then that aspect CAN'T be covered under this kind of protection .. otherwise Ford would put custom screwthreads on every part of their cars and then 'trademark/design mark' the screwthread to prevent people from making compatible parts and so force people to buy their overpriced 'genuine' parts instead.

See this example if you are interested: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2008/08/protecting-shape-marks-court-mixes-in.html


Mac
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.