Making a legal Playmat?
Gear forum
Posted on Aug. 12, 2014, 12:31 p.m. by The_Raven
So... I really want to make my own playmat (Inkedplaymats.com). But, I want it to have some MTG art. Maybe art from cards, or maybe just pictures of the planeswalkers.
But. What about copyright? If I take a picture from a card, do WotC then have copyright on it? What about a picture of the planeswalkers? Like this
If they have copyright, can I then use it for my playmat? (Because, well.... I'm only using it for my own purpose).
And at last. If I can't use any of their cards/pictures, is there anywhere else I can get card images without copyright?
Wow.... Inkedplaymats.com are not shipping to Denmark. Damn.... Is there any other places to buy a costum playmat? :D Or can I actually make it myself? :D
August 12, 2014 12:43 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #4
If you want to go super ghetto, you can just bleach an existing playmat that you don't want anymore to turn it white, then get an artist (or yourself) to draw you a custom one.
I don't know who would ship a custom one online to Denmark though, unfortunately.
August 12, 2014 12:45 p.m.
PasorofMuppets says... #5
Or you could just buy a white ultra pro playmat.
August 12, 2014 12:49 p.m.
Do you have any buddies in the states you could have it shipped to and then have them ship to you? A lot of guys on here would probably be willing to help out with that too. And IP.com made my mat with a ton of MtG card art on it no problem.
August 12, 2014 12:49 p.m.
If you aren't merchandising it than there is no copyrighting to worry about
August 12, 2014 12:52 p.m.
CommanderOfBolas says... #8
Basically, copy rights are there to protect a product from being used by other people. In this case, it mostly there so that only WOTC can make Magic cards. you would be fine getting their artwork on a playmat. It is basically the same as buying a card from a private dealer as opposed to buying it straight from WOTC.
August 12, 2014 1:21 p.m.
TehCoopeh, wouldn't InkedPlaymats be merchandising it by selling something copyrighted to customers?
August 12, 2014 1:22 p.m.
filledelanuit says... #10
WOTC doesn't care if you get a custom playmat from InkedPlaymats. There is a caveat; if the art on the playmat is substantially similiar to art on another play mat that WOTC or another company has already manufactured. Your probably ok with this aspect as long as you don't copy things like top 8 playmats that TCGplayer and SCG made. Additionally you shouldn't put art or text on it that isn't directly relatable to MTG because that could be construed as implying endorsement of something by someone.
I vaguely remember a document granting the right for customers to us WOTC's stuff as long it was attributed to WOTC and it was clearly stated that they did not endorse whatever writing was on it. I can't guarantee that this still exist so don't take my word for it.
TL;DR- No one cares and you can do it as long as you don't have other art on it that isn't WOTC's.
Disclaimer: This is not intended as legal advice and all information above is based on my limited knowledge of copyright law.
August 12, 2014 1:43 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #11
I have asked through their contact form, as I think having a playmat with the art of Polymorph would be amazing. I'll let you know their response.
August 12, 2014 2:08 p.m.
Thanks for the responses! :D
So, I'll keep making my playmat (was almost going to delete it.... XD)
Well, when Inkedplaymats.com don't want to ship to Denmark (central Europe), does anyone then know how much it would cost to send it to Denmark?
Nigeltastic - I would love to hear their response :D
August 12, 2014 3:08 p.m.
notamardybum says... #13
If you're not going to sell the mat you don't have to worry
Servo_Token says... #2
Either check is Ultra Pro makes a mat with your card art on it, or ask the IP.Com guys if you can use the art. They're sure to know, because I can assure you that you won't be the first to ask.
August 12, 2014 12:34 p.m.