koobas.hobune.stream
Racetrack layout legalities... anyone know?
Okay, not really a Unity question but my game is a Unity project and I thought someone here might know...
Is it legal to use the actual layout of a racetrack for your game? I'm not talking names, trademarks etc.. but the road layout. I have permission to use Pukekohe Raceway (name and all) from here in NZ but I have tracks from around the world... I'd like to use Laguna Seca for "USA" for example.
Anyone have any idea?
I'm no expert, but I do know that nobody can claim copyright on what's basically a glorified squiggly circle. Let's put it in terms of other video games: Can you make a track called $$anonymous$$ario Circuit? Nope. But you could use the track's shape if you want. Nintendo doesn't own any sort of copyright on geometric shapes.
In summary: Nobody can stop you from designing your racing tracks however you want. You only can't use their real-life names without permission. I don't know what Laguna Seca is, but nothing is stopping you from drawing inspiration from its layout, or even copying it curve for curve. Only thing you can't do is say "This track is Laguna Seca" without their permission.
That's what I thought... but then... a house design is just geometric shapes??? So is art...
Well, I got my answer... the Hockenheim people told me that the layout is trademarked as well as the name/logo etc. They said the licensing fee was between 15,000-20,000 Euros... bit out of my range! HAHA.
Wow that is surprising! Now look at the all bad legal advice u got from us game devs here that could have gotten you into big doo doo.
Does that mean all those F1 games on the playstore bought licenses for there tracks (e.g Ultimate Racing 2D)
Thank you for your answer. Do you know just the track shape is trademarked? Even when we dont't use any other similarities such as name, logo or even some track special characteristic (tribunes, pit stops etc...)? I do not think that most of the indie games in the stores spend so much money on track licences.
In no way shape or form can you copyright a road. The name of the racetrack yes. Art is a different story. I dont know how to explain it but yes you can use the design so long as you dont copy right any names/brands etc.
I meant s$$anonymous$$l any names brands. Like the tracks name.
You can't copyright the 'shape' of a track. Just be careful you don't use any names of tracks you don't have rights for.
Secondly, and even more important, don't ask for legal advice on game development forums. Ask a lawyer.
Lawyers cost money! Good advice, though... but I can't help thinking that the games of yesteryear featured fake tracks for a reason... look at Super $$anonymous$$onaco GP... none of the tracks were even remotely close to the real life counterparts... I think I'll just do it and if I get sued... it'd good publicity! LOL.
Tracks are specifically designed (that's what makes every track distinct), therefore they are copyrighted and/or patented. Just like companies paying millions of dollars to design a golf course or even a roller coaster these designs are all protected from intellectual property infringement.
