Textbook

[God Gemmon]

Greetings,

I am not sure if this is the right forum category for this question as I was incapable of finding what I thought a match was for this topic/question. 

I have extensive knowledge of RPG Maker VX Ace and was wondering if it is legal for me to sell a textbook I have written on the program and how to use it extensively.

Thanx and blessings go to whoever can answer this question.

Sincerely,
God Gemmon

 

[Shaz]

I can't think of any reason there would be an issue with it, but let's wait until a staff member comes by

 

[Sharm]

There might be problems if it has pictures, which would be pretty common in a book of this sort.

 

[Shaz]

Why would that be? A textbook about a game engine would, by definition, need to have screenshots of the game engine. There COULD be problems if any of those screenshots use images that are not part of the RTP.


There has already been a textbook published on RPG Maker. I think it was for VX, and I think it's available on Amazon.

 

[orochii]

Is there some way to get permission for that? Screenshots and that stuff. For the RTP, I suppose that you can make some example material (and even include it with the book as an extra). But about the interface?

I ask this not because I intend to make any book (although I could! If only had time... "orz), I just love to inquire <3.

 

[Sharm]

I mean that to publish a textbook you would need to have special permission to use those images since the EULA for the RTP doesn't allow for that type of use.

 

[Shaz]

ah, okay. I didn't realize that.


Hopefully someone on staff will be able to clear it up, and if you need to contact someone for permission, they'll be able to tell you who

 

[Geoff Moore]

I'm pretty sure this would count as fair use as it's for the purposes of teaching. Have you emailed Enterbrain? It's very, very rare for companies to turn down permission for this kind of thing anyway.

 

[Zeriab]

What supersedes what can often be tricky to figure out.

In this case if the usage of RTP resources in your textbook is legally considered as fair use and fair use supersedes the EULA agreement, which I believe it does, then that the EULA does not permit such use does not matter. Then you will be able to use the resources regardless.

I do suggest that you ask Enterbrain, Even if it is not necessary, it is courteous.

Of course, the golden rule with legal questions is always to ask a lawyer who is familiar with your jurisdiction and affected legal area.

*hugs*

 - Zeriab

 

[phoenix_rossy]

I mean that to publish a textbook you would need to have special permission to use those images since the EULA for the RTP doesn't allow for that type of use.

What about game guides? If you use RTP graphics, you'll be using screenshots of said graphics in that 'book'. This concerns me :/

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

I'm wondering about that too, using a screenshot of a game on something else. The RTP or any other material was used in a game made with RPG Maker, not in the guide/book. It just happens that screenies of those games were taken and used.


If that's not allowed, then I think posting screenshots of your game shouldn't be allowed too since that's basically the same thing.


What's different with taking a screenshot of the game and posting it here for example, than putting it on a game guide for the said game, and in extension to an RPG Maker guide?

 

[Sharm]

I know that blanket permission was giving for the purpose of promoting your game, so that's why screenshots are different. I remember there was a case where someone was asking about making a boxed copy of their game using RTP art, but I don't remember how that was resolved. It may be worth looking up. Making a textbook for RM isn't related to one person's game though, and may not fall under fair use because a text book is something that Enterbrain or Degica could reasonably want to keep rights to so they could do it themselves. One way or another I wouldn't make the book without either first getting permission or making sure a lawyer who's well versed in these sorts of laws thinks it won't be a problem. Remember, fair use is a defense and won't necessarily stop you from being sued in the first place.

 

[phoenix_rossy]

I know that blanket permission was giving for the purpose of promoting your game, so that's why screenshots are different. I remember there was a case where someone was asking about making a boxed copy of their game using RTP art, but I don't remember how that was resolved. It may be worth looking up. Making a textbook for RM isn't related to one person's game though, and may not fall under fair use because a text book is something that Enterbrain or Degica could reasonably want to keep rights to so they could do it themselves. One way or another I wouldn't make the book without either first getting permission or making sure a lawyer who's well versed in these sorts of laws thinks it won't be a problem. Remember, fair use is a defense and won't necessarily stop you from being sued in the first place.

This sounds about right. I know that Enterbrain aren't unreasonable - they want as many people to enjoy (buy) their product as possible, and by putting out promotional materials for your game is not only promoting the game, but their software too (more often than not). This statement would cover game guides too, I suppose. A textbook though... I don't know.

That being said, I intend to run a series of youtube tutorials, most likely using RTP graphics. I wonder if this (and the other youtube tutorials of this nature) go against the UELA ?

 

[Kes]

Given how long people have been providing game guides, I would be stunned if this suddenly became an issue for Enterbrain.  They can hardly be unaware of their existence.  Furthermore, guides typically show maps, not the individual tiles in a usable form.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

And the tiles are still just used inside RPG Maker right? It's not like we used the tiles outside of RM and we're not gonna sell the pics themselves right?