Project Name Changes--ALL Projects

[Todd Robinson]

I've made mention of it before but lately I've considered name changes for all my software. No matter how you slice it, my software uses TV show title names that are copyrighted materials. As the popularity of my web site has grown and more and more downloads happen as time has gone on, this has become a greater concern.

A suggestion was passed on to me by some lawyers at the Federal Judicial Center at Washington, D.C., who used my software for one of their nation-wide training programs, that I consider using names for my programs that sound phonically similar. For example, using the title "Family Fewd" instead of "Family Feud."

Additionally, I've received lots of e-mails from people wanting to make a donation towards my work. I appreciate the gestures, but making a profit off of another company's property would not look good if someone ever called me on this.

I haven't made up my mind on this yet. Basically, the only changes made to the software would be the main titles, which don't show up during the game much anyway. If you have some feedback you'd like to post, please do it here. As always, thanks for your support.

Todd

[FrankieV]

I belive that as long as your not using it for a profit and its only in GOOD FUN you can continue to use the gameshow name. If you choose to change the name due to copyright reasons then I also belive that music and graphic need to be changed also becuase that too is copyright. Lets just hope the big shots at these games shows dont get involved and screw up a good thing.

[WesternEstates]

Todd said:

I've made mention of it before but lately I've considered name changes for all my software. No matter how you slice it, my software uses TV show title names that are copyrighted materials. As the popularity of my web site has grown and more and more downloads happen as time has gone on, this has become a greater concern.

A suggestion was passed on to me by some lawyers at the Federal Judicial Center at Washington, D.C., who used my software for one of their nation-wide training programs, that I consider using names for my programs that sound phonically similar. For example, using the title "Family Fewd" instead of "Family Feud."

Additionally, I've received lots of e-mails from people wanting to make a donation towards my work. I appreciate the gestures, but making a profit off of another company's property would not look good if someone ever called me on this.

I haven't made up my mind on this yet. Basically, the only changes made to the software would be the main titles, which don't show up during the game much anyway. If you have some feedback you'd like to post, please do it here. As always, thanks for your support.

Todd

You're safe because

1) You put this very important phrase in your instructions "*”Family Feud” is property of Fremantle Media, Inc. No challenge to ownership is implied or expressed. This software is intended for private, home, and educational use only." if you didn't have that in there then you would be in trouble. Although it would be a better idea to put that on your Family Feud menu.

2) Recieving donations is just fine just as long as your not selling your software or making some kind of profit. The donations that you would recieve would have to go into the making of the game in someway (For example buying new software that would go into making the game is O.K.) If you did start selling your software then you'd have to get permission or a license from them then that would be a big pain in the butt (Not to mention very costly). What they're worried about is who is making a profit from their name.

[WesternEstates]

I forgot to mention that if you formed a non-profit organization for the purpose of making games for educational puposes that would also make it O.K. for you to accept donations.

[vegitoth]

and besides we all know well that we have a choice

[Todd Robinson]

vegitoth said:

and besides we all know well that we have a choice

Having a choice to donate or not isn't the issue, though. I'm more worried about legal issues than anything else!

Thanks for the feedback so far. I hope more people speak up about the matter.

[Grey]

Todd said:

Having a choice to donate or not isn't the issue, though. I'm more worried about legal issues than anything else!

Thanks for the feedback so far. I hope more people speak up about the matter.

If I could offer a donation as a small token of my appreciation, I would. You're spending your hard-earned free time on these projects for the enjoyment of everybody. But knowing how poor college students are... ^^;;;

Anyway, I think you would be safe if you accepted donations because you're not selling your work. To me, it's the whole "tip jar" concept. You're not forcing anybody to give you money; they are giving it out of their own free will.

Besides, if you are going to be changing your projects, you'd basically have to make them from scratch since you could only have similar music and sound samples, as they are copywritten as well.

With a tip jar in place, when people ask you if you're selling copywritten work, you can say 'no' with honesty. Besides, you gotta be able to recoup server costs somehow.

(EDIT: Wording was slightly askew with music copyrights.)

[BaMa]

i don't think you can get in trouble...i mean after all...you're not selling that Family Feud is your own concept, and you do have a disclaimer...and your software is being used for educational purposes...and once again...you're not making any money off of this anyway.