Copyright/media ownership & my site

[Sackattack]

Essentially i'm creating a modest site for games and possibly other media, but I'm worried about issues i'd run into if i just started downloading flash games from other websites and put them on mine. How can i go about this with no legal issue, or creating as little conflict as possible? Do i have to ask the creator for permission, or simply show that i'm not calling it mine, etc?

 

[bpaluzzi]

Essentially i'm creating a modest site for games and possibly other media, but I'm worried about issues i'd run into if i just started downloading flash games from other websites and put them on mine. How can i go about this with no legal issue, or creating as little conflict as possible? Do i have to ask the creator for permission, or simply show that i'm not calling it mine, etc?

You need to ask for and receive permission from the content creator.

 

[jtara]

Essentially i'm creating a modest site for games and possibly other media, but I'm worried about issues i'd run into if i just started downloading flash games from other websites and put them on mine.

ORLY?

Next tough ethical question: "Do you think there would be "issues" if you went down to a local store and helped yourself to the contents of the cash drawer?"

 

[AFPoster]

ORLY?

Next tough ethical question: "Do you think there would be "issues" if you went down to a local store and helped yourself to the contents of the cash drawer?"

trick question...? haha

 

[Sackattack]

You need to ask for and receive permission from the content creator.

Thanks

ORLY?

Next tough ethical question: "Do you think there would be "issues" if you went down to a local store and helped yourself to the contents of the cash drawer?"

As close as those two things are, I'm referring to games that are free royalty, and distinguishing those from ones that are not, or games that no longer have a creator that is reachable

 

[jtara]

Thanks
As close as those two things are, I'm referring to games that are free royalty, and distinguishing those from ones that are not, or games that no longer have a creator that is reachable

Well, you didn't say that.

If the game is royalty-free, then you need to go to whoever created the game and see what their terms of use are.

The only case where you can use a copyright-able work without permission is if it is NOT copyrighted - i.e. it's passed into the public domain after the copyright expired, or was explicitly put in the public domain by the author.

Most games/applications/etc. that are "free" are copyrighted and subject to some licensing terms. The licensing terms may be as simple as a requirement to give credit to the author.

But you need to go to the SOURCE (the author) and see what the terms are. You may or may not have to actually "ask" permission - it may be granted automatically. But "go to the source and ask the horse". Don't get the games from "other websites", but from that of the author, who I'm sure will explain on their website whatever terms are required for use.

Unfortunately, if the author cannot be located, that does NOT give you permission to use a copyrighted work.

 

[Tiggs]

Would take anything down immediately if you are unsure about it. Jsut need to ask for permission first from the copyright holder.