Using C7 material in fan-made adventures

[Hermes Serpent]

I'm writing up an adventure and when it's been tested and used in play I'd like to release it to the wider TOR community.

Now I've used some parts of C7's official cartography (I've clipped out some sections of maps, either the original map that came in the slipcase or the map contained in one of the supplements), normally no more that a few square inches to illustrate the journey or area being used in the adventure. How would C7 regard this usage, fair use or misuse of their IP?

I tend to use a page with the creature stats written on it when running a game as the less I have to refer to the LMB during play the better. I scribble damage down on the margins and odd notes for example. Now if I were to include such a sheet with the creatures stats in an adventure is that acceptable or a no-no from C7's viewpoint? Further to that what about writing out the creatures special abilities as some come up infrequently enough that my ageing brain can't memorise the wording.

I'd consider writing directly to C7 directly but I'm sure other LM's would be interested in the answers to these questions as well.

[Jon Hodgson]

Hi Hermes,

No Middle-Earth Enterprises licensed stuff can be reproduced in fan published material.

Thanks for taking the time to ask.

[Hermes Serpent]

Thanks for a swift response Jon, that's much appreciated.

[BILBOBAGEND]

Just to be clear, are you allowed to make a fan made adventure for The One Ring rpg system, but just not use any material from the book? Could you give an example of what is allowed and what isnt?

[Rich H]

Hi Bilbo... Based on experience I'd say:

* No art from the TOR books
* No maps (annotated, altered, or otherwise) from any TOR books
* No text from the TOR books - including things like stat blocks for creatures.
* No background graphics from the TOR books - ie, the page layout, graphic design, etc. I think even the look and feel of how the fonts are used could fall under this, although the fonts themselves aren't copyrighted.

... I think that about covers it. I'm sure Jon will clarify.

[Hermes Serpent]

I'd think that the layout of stat blocks, either the original format or the newer one in Heart could be used just not the values in any of the books i.e. if I was to make my own version of a type of creature say a brown bear and use the stat blocks I think I'd be on safe ground as it isn't using published values.

[Rich H]

I'd think that the layout of stat blocks, either the original format or the newer one in Heart could be used just not the values in any of the books

... Just curious but are you thinking my post has stated that you can't do this? It doesn't. When I talk about page layout and design I'm making reference to things like the header and footer images, etc. Or if its where I put "including things like stat blocks for creatures" then that was on the same line, and an example of, not being able to lift text from the TOR books which means the stats for creatures.

[Hermes Serpent]

No Rich it was a follow up to Bilbo regarding what probably isn't covered under the umbrella of licensed stuff that cannot be reproduced. Look and Feel is a part of IP that some people are very protective of. I wasn't even considering the use of their header and footer graphics or even art. Basically I had clipped some areas of their maps to use to indicate the area relating to the adventure and to show the likely path of the journey leg in various parts of the adventure.

After the situation regarding your material I wanted to be clear about what would and what wouldn't be acceptable from C7' viewpoint.

I'm now wondering if I can even use the name of the character from Heart that lives in Dwarrowhall or even Dwarrowhall itself?

[Rich H]

No Rich it was a follow up to Bilbo regarding what probably isn't covered under the umbrella of licensed stuff that cannot be reproduced. Look and Feel is a part of IP that some people are very protective of. I wasn't even considering the use of their header and footer graphics or even art. Basically I had clipped some areas of their maps to use to indicate the area relating to the adventure and to show the likely path of the journey leg in various parts of the adventure.

I'd say steer clear of using even snippets of maps.

I'm now wondering if I can even use the name of the character from Heart that lives in Dwarrowhall or even Dwarrowhall itself?

That's a good question. If they are original ideas from C7/Sophisticated Games then I'd say you can't but it makes publishing fan made adventures damn tricky as we naturally will want to develop areas that C7 have sketched out in their books as they are so jam packed with cool stuff.

After the situation regarding your material I wanted to be clear about what would and what wouldn't be acceptable from C7' viewpoint.

I don't blame you!

[bigsteveuk]

I'm now wondering if I can even use the name of the character from Heart that lives in Dwarrowhall or even Dwarrowhall itself?

I would think you would be allowed to reference things, just not republish them.

So say I want to use the stats for an ork I could say see page X of the Loremasters Guide, or this is the residence of X (see page x in Heart of the Wild).

Then again I am no expert, but personally if you are not recycling their material, but referencing it, I can't see the harm.