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Image license for public domains games

Posted: 13 November 2021, 21:23
by PiratJack
Hello,

What is the general rule for using images for public domain games? Which licenses can be used for BGA?

I'm adapting a game called Scopa, which is severl century old and therefore public domain. It can be played with different card decks (I used 2 which are also public domain).
Some players have requested to have additional decks, but I don't want to stumble accross licensing issues:
- If there is a manufacturer stamp on the card, is it usable?
- If a player scans a physical deck of cards, is it usable?

I may be too cautious about that, but I don't want to create issues for BGA.

Thanks!

PiratJack

Re: Image license for public domains games

Posted: 14 November 2021, 07:00
by ufm
Unless commercial use is granted somehow I won't use any images of physical playing cards, even if I own a copy. Better safe than sorry.

Re: Image license for public domains games

Posted: 23 November 2021, 20:20
by Duane Roelands
The fact that a game is in the public domain does not necessarily mean that the art for a published version of that game is in the public domain.

For example, the works of many classical composers are in the public domain but the -performances- of those works by modern orchestras are usually not.

Unless you are 100% positive that an image is in the public domain, you shouldn't use it.