Thinking of creating a One Piece VN, doubts with copyright

[Deleted member 4937290]

So I'm thinking of creating a One Piece based game. I've searched for info about OP copyright and I've read that as long as you don't sell the game you won't be sued, but they might ask you to stop. I'm having my doubts because I don't want any problems. The game is planned to be a sandbox with 2D art. Can I have some advice?

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

I'm supposed to wait for a response? Because this shit ain't getting an answer

 

[Lerd0]

..i know of 3 op parodys on patreon....so u probs safe.....

 

[bethrezen0]

Nobody knows probably. All i can say is that its completely random if you are gonna get cease and desist from IP owner. It's always a risk, Japanese as i heard are more protective of their IP, like everybody knows never fuck with nintendo, they hate fangames. Dunno about creators of One Piece. Probably the best choice is to not mention One Piece in the name of a game and other copyrighted names associated with One Piece, don't use music and other stuff like that from the anime. And clearly state that this is a parody, tho i think that won't really help.
Dunno tbh what kind of answer you are expecting on a piracy website, we here usually don't give a shit about copyright and intellectual property, you should probably ask some real lawyer or Jurist about shit like that.

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

..i know of 3 op parodys on patreon....so u probs safe.....

I see, can you give me names?

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

Nobody knows probably. All i can say is that its completely random if you are gonna get cease and desist from IP owner. It's always a risk, Japanese as i heard are more protective of their IP, like everybody knows never fuck with nintendo, they hate fangames. Dunno about creators of One Piece. Probably the best choice is to not mention One Piece in the name of a game and other copyrighted names associated with One Piece, don't use music and other stuff like that from the anime. And clearly state that this is a parody, tho i think that won't really help.
Dunno tbh what kind of answer you are expecting on a piracy website, we here usually don't give a shit about copyright and intellectual property, you should probably ask some real lawyer or Jurist about shit like that.

I've read they are pretty lenient with these things... of course I'm not gonna use anything produced by Toei animation or Shueisha, it will be all original art and original storyline. I'm just trynna see if I'm treading safely or it will blow back in my face.

 

[Lerd0]

I see, can you give me names?

https://f95zone.to/threads/girl-galley-grand-line-chapter-1-update-4-boy-d-joy.132292/
https://f95zone.to/threads/ero-ero-no-mi-the-great-adventure-v0-5-0-kraguto-games.72896/
https://f95zone.to/threads/one-piece-lost-at-sea-v0-1a-dochino.118031/

 

[MissFortune]

The likelihood of your project ever blowing up to that scale is very minimal. In that regard, you're probably safe, but be aware that all it takes is a cease and desist from Toei and all that work goes down the drain. Will they sue you? Probably not. You as a singular entity aren't worth waking up their lawyers for, you'd likely get the aforementioned cease and desist and it'd be done with provided you don't continue to make it after being warned. That' s the worst case, imo. Best case is you put your game up on Patreon and you develop it with no problems. Just don't try getting it on Steam.

That said, Toei isn't known to be friendly toward copyright, fair use, or the abuse of either. See the whole Totally Not Mark vs Toei Content ID thing from a year or so ago, for example.

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

https://f95zone.to/threads/girl-galley-grand-line-chapter-1-update-4-boy-d-joy.132292/
https://f95zone.to/threads/ero-ero-no-mi-the-great-adventure-v0-5-0-kraguto-games.72896/
https://f95zone.to/threads/one-piece-lost-at-sea-v0-1a-dochino.118031/

Thanks man, much appreciated

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

The likelihood of your project ever blowing up to that scale is very minimal. In that regard, you're probably safe, but be aware that all it takes is a cease and desist from Toei and all that work goes down the drain. Will they sue you? Probably not. You as a singular entity aren't worth waking up their lawyers for, you'd likely get the aforementioned cease and desist and it'd be done with provided you don't continue to make it after being warned. That' s the worst case, imo. Best case is you put your game up on Patreon and you develop it with no problems. Just don't try getting it on Steam.

That said, Toei isn't known to be friendly toward copyright, fair use, or the abuse of either. See the whole Totally Not Mark vs Toei Content ID thing from a year or so ago, for example.

If I remember well, TNM used anime clips for his videos. And yeah, I'm prepared to shut off my game instantly if Toei gets involved. The thing is, I remember a statement from Oda encouraging his fans to do whatever they want with his characters. Either way I respect Oda sensei very much and I will be cautious if thing get tricky. I'm not really convinced at the moment, so I will take my time to think about it because I don't really do half-assed projects, meaning, I will give it my all to live up to the original story. I just hope if I decide to do that it won't come back to bit my ass.

 

[MissFortune]

If I remember well, TNM used anime clips for his videos. And yeah, I'm prepared to shut off my game instantly if Toei gets involved. The thing is, I remember a statement from Oda encouraging his fans to do whatever they want with his characters. Either way I respect Oda sensei very much and I will be cautious if thing get tricky. I'm not really convinced at the moment, so I will take my time to think about it because I don't really do half-assed projects, meaning, I will give it my all to live up to the original story. I just hope if I decide to do that it won't come back to bit my ass.

If you're worried about the financial repercussions (e.g. being sued) for making a game like this, then don't be. If it's something you want to make (and even put on Patreon for that matter), then go for it. All I'm really saying is just be ready to shut it down at any moment if you get a cease and desist. Otherwise, you're fine.

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

If you're worried about the financial repercussions (e.g. being sued) for making a game like this, then don't be. If it's something you want to make (and even put on Patreon for that matter), then go for it. All I'm really saying is just be ready to shut it down at any moment if you get a cease and desist. Otherwise, you're fine.

I think that's what I needed to hear. I can't be 100% convinced but now I'm leaning towards it. Thanks for the help man

 

[luchettodj94]

Nobody knows probably. All i can say is that its completely random if you are gonna get cease and desist from IP owner. It's always a risk, Japanese as i heard are more protective of their IP, like everybody knows never fuck with nintendo, they hate fangames. Dunno about creators of One Piece. Probably the best choice is to not mention One Piece in the name of a game and other copyrighted names associated with One Piece, don't use music and other stuff like that from the anime. And clearly state that this is a parody, tho i think that won't really help.
Dunno tbh what kind of answer you are expecting on a piracy website, we here usually don't give a shit about copyright and intellectual property, you should probably ask some real lawyer or Jurist about shit like that.

Actually you may expect a lawsuit from US distributor rather than the japan one, as a matter of fact doujinshi are allowed by law and even tho the original copyright owner may claim the ownership, until it doesn't affect the original material (such as compromise the sellings) they won't even bother to contact you since just for existing a product can create an interest to the original source (more like a free adv). So in short laws are different from country to country.

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

Actually you may expect a lawsuit from US distributor rather than the japan one, as a matter of fact doujinshi are allowed by law and even tho the original copyright owner may claim the ownership, until it doesn't affect the original material (such as compromise the sellings) they won't even bother to contact you since just for existing a product can create an interest to the original source (more like a free adv). So in short laws are different from country to country.

I'm not from the US tho. I need to look into that.

 

[perturbedspoon]

Literally just make something more original. Something not based on existing IP. Don't be so greedy and try riding on One Piece's coattails for quick cash grab.

 

[MissFortune]

Literally just make something more original. Something not based on existing IP. Don't be so greedy and try riding on One Piece's coattails for quick cash grab.

Tell that to all the My Hero Academia VN devs raking it in. If I could draw half as well as some of them do, I'd be doing the same.

 

[perturbedspoon]

If I could draw half as well as some of them do, I'd be doing the same.

Just try it. Who knows.

 

[Deleted member 4937290]

Literally just make something more original. Something not based on existing IP. Don't be so greedy and try riding on One Piece's coattails for quick cash grab.

What gave you the idea? I'm not interested in grabbing the manga and just making it porn. I've been a fan of the series for as long as I can remember. I just wanted to make my own contribution to it. The patreon thingy is only necessary because the project can take a toll on you and it takes a loooot of time. For me, it's good invested time, but I'd need to balance. Either way I love One Piece and if I end up making the VN and I fail in living up to the legend, then I don't need to wait for Toei, I will shut down the game myself. I'm not wasting my time and energy on garbage.

 

[Gwedelino]

Tell that to all the My Hero Academia VN devs raking it in. If I could draw half as well as some of them do, I'd be doing the same.

To be honest, I'm really unsure that using an existing IP means creating an audience more easily.

Nearly all the big money makers are using an original IP.

 

[baloneysammich]

To be honest, I'm really unsure that using an existing IP means creating an audience more easily.

Nearly all the big money makers are using an original IP.

This is true, only four of the top 90 (sorted by weighted rating) use existing IP AFAICT. But making money isn't necessary everyone's top priority after all.