I am running this contest for the next 24 hours. The banner needs to be the same size, not the same style but size as the one here at http://topfreegrants.com It should have the name WOW Essentials on it, themed after World of Warcraft. However, it cannot infringe on any WOW trademarks. Have it influenced by World of Warcraft. I want it colorful and bold. I reserve the right to extend, cancel or postpone this contest depending on the entries received. Once I purchase the banner I will own complete and total rights to it. Lets see your best work.
The problem is all the obvious trademark infringement. It is a sweet banner, I just can't use it. I will extend the deadline for more entries.
here is my entry all feedback is greatly appriacted - the font is freely avaliable so does not go against any copyright.
bskelhorn - I like the font, but I don't like the red splash. I think it would be cooler with a dark blue background, like the one from technoguy.
hey falsherr, thanks for your design. It is very cool, however you have used copyrighted images which is illegal. I just can't use it.
If you are creating a fan site you are not infringing on World of Warcraft's copyright. You simply have to place a disclaimer on your site saying all pictures related to WoW belongs to them. Or else you will have a very poorly designed banner that will look nothing like World of Warcraft and the fans will not recognize it either. Just get the fansite pack which is freely available for download and use any of the images available. Here - I did all the work for you and got you the link to get the fansite kit from the "Official Site" http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/downloads.xml
They are still copyrighted images, and you cannot take those images or edit them or alter them in any way. Those are for personal use only. Plus the site will be monetized so it's not a fan site. People on DP are very liberal about copyright law. Simply saying something belongs to someone doesn't mean you can automatically use it for your purposes. You have to be careful or you will end up burned some day.
For example, your using that image in your avatar is a violation of copyright, unless you have explicit permission from the creator. Now you wont ever get in trouble for it, but I just wanted to make that point.
A fansite kit is placed there for people to use it for their websites. Whether you are selling a leveling guide, or creating a blog or anything else to do with warcraft... it is there to be used as you please. And please, if you do not understand that aspect of gaming, then do not post about it. I own fansites too and one of them is right here: http://www.aiononlinegame.com I am one of the few english sites linked on the official site to mine plus I have other sites dedicated to Warcraft, yes, World of Warcraft and Guild Wars. Wow... I wonder why these sites and let's see... (MILLIONS of others) weren't sued by WoW yet. Gosh..it's beyond me lol. No, be realistic. I am a gamer and I have had fan sites for ages now and I am affiliated with some of the most popular games out there... you will not get sued. As I said, a disclaimer is all you need on your site. It has ALWAYS been like this. World of Warcraft isn't some internet marketing site and it isn't even comparable. It is a game that depends on fans and people to make it more popular. Hence why we (the fans and regular people) can chop and change, cut and paste and do with these graphics as our little black hearts please as long as we keep to the guidelines. Hence the only problem they have and any other game is if you use the graphics for another game and claim it as your own and then yes, THEY WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU. Have fun with my entry P.S. I am not charging for this. It was fun.
While I am sure you are a wonderful fantasy game player, you just don't have a any clue about the law. You can't chop, paste, cut because it's against the law! Just because everyone else does it doesn't mean you should to. And a fan kit is for personal use! You obviously have zero understanding of copyright law, so how dare you come on my business thread and tell me what to do. As for people being sued, people are sued every day. It doesn't always make headlines because it's civil. My site will never be linked to WOW because it isn't a fansite! Got it! I will be making a whole lot of money in a month, and WOW isn't going to link to me. You are walking a fine line, and one day you will get burned. So here is the deal if anyone hasn't got it, I am still accepting entries, however I will not take any that uses copyright images. Do you guys know what copyright images are? ANY IMAGE THAT IS NOT YOUR OWN, OR RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, OR YOU HAVE EXPLICIT PERMISSION TO USE BY THE COPYRIGHT OWNER IS COPYRIGHTED!!!! So as I'm sure there are no WOW images released to the public domain, any banner designer has to make their own, that is design their own image. Perhaps my price is too low. If you are a graphic designer, and can design a sweet banner, however you need more $ contact me. If I like your work, I will use you in the future. In the meantime I'm leaving this thread open to keep getting entries. People will have to use their own talents, besides mashing together other peoples in a banner collage.