Where do I direct this legal question about PFO?

[Xaer]

I would like to make a graphic novel documenting my Character's story in PFO after playing for a few years (or even a web comic).
Would I be allowed to? Do I explicitly need to ask for permission?
Will I end up having to modify it so that it has no association or resemblance to PFO?

[Ryan Dancey]

@Xaer - Pathfinder Online will have essentially the same community use policies as Paizo uses for all of its content. It is too early for us to publish policies or to review proposals.

[Kobold Catgirl]

If you do this, make sure to post about it here. Sounds like it'd be a neat read.

[Bluddwolf]

I have a similar question. Based on some of the kick starter rewards, we are asked to submit a name of our characters. GW says that they will claim the rights to that name. So I take it that we should not use a character name that we have used during any of our other gaming experiences?

Does this also apply to our own guild launch or other guild support forums?

I'm certainly curious about the answer to this because I have been using the same character names and variants of them for nearly 15 years.

[Valandur]

Bluddwolf wrote:

I have a similar question. Based on some of the kick starter rewards, we are asked to submit a name of our characters. GW says that they will claim the rights to that name. So I take it that we should not use a character name that we have used during any of our other gaming experiences?

Does this also apply to our own guild launch or other guild support forums?

I'm certainly curious about the answer to this because I have been using the same character names and variants of them for nearly 15 years.

Total guess here, but I would think so long as you didn't plan to use the name in a book, or to use it as a basis for a web site or other income generating thing, then it shouldn't matter. If you'll just be using the name for online characters and on game forums, it's kind of like trying to stop people from using the name Gandalf.

I used to never have to worry about someone getting the name Valandur, been using that name since I got online back in the mid 1990's. but more and more often I'm finding the name taken if I sign onto a game that's been out a while.

[DeciusBrutus]

Bluddwolf wrote:

I have a similar question. Based on some of the kick starter rewards, we are asked to submit a name of our characters. GW says that they will claim the rights to that name. So I take it that we should not use a character name that we have used during any of our other gaming experiences?

Does this also apply to our own guild launch or other guild support forums?

I'm certainly curious about the answer to this because I have been using the same character names and variants of them for nearly 15 years.

Before you give the copyright to Goblinworks, give yourself a non-exclusive license to do anything you want, including commercial use without royalty. (Note that this only applies to the name, and doesn't give you any rights to the likeness of a character that Goblinworks makes with that name)

Transfer of the copyright is only there to protect against idiots suing over the use of their name, or providing a name that is already owned by a third party.