WH40K for Dummies: would it be legal?

[Andrea Gavazzoni]

Hi there,

just wanted to ask for your opinion on this, even better if yours is backed by some legal background.
Would it be legal to print and sell a sort of "WH40K for Dummies book", with explicit reference to WH40K rules?
If the answer is "yes", would I have to rephrase GW's rules or can I quote them?

Please don't comment on the idea itself (well, you can of course, but it would be a waste of time!) because that's not exactly what I want to do, but it was the easiest way to put it.

Many thanks!

Ciao

And.

[Wolfshade]

This is a tricky item and the answer will vary depending where in the world it is sold.

In England and Wales there is a concept of fair use (http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy/c-other/c-exception.htm) and if you do it for "educational" reasons then it *may* not be a problem.

My gut feeling is that it would end up either having to reference the BRB and not include any rules, but certainly your interpretation of them would obviously be fine, or a commentary on it. Also, any original depections would also be fine.

I am not a legal expert in this field.

[Badtucker]

one issue would be by the time it came out it would be out of date from new codex's and supplements throwing up curvballs here and there.

[SaveModifier]

If you'd be able to play a game of 40K using it without the brb, then probably not, no, not if you're going to publish it, even online, this would be liable to be taken down, the text as its written is owned by GW, if you're using it for profit, then it really is a tricky grey area, I'm not sure to what extent Fair Use would really apply here, its not for eductation in an educational field, its not for review or critisism, so, if you were using their rules, I think that would class as a Substantial amount for thier work.

For these reasons alone, I'd say it was unlikely to be legal without the permission of GW, as they're the IP holder, its good practice to contact them directly and discuss the idea you have and what you want to use.

If they argue that it would be a substantial amount of their work and they don't give you permission (which will almost certainly be the case), you have your answer.

[Anggul]

I can't imagine it being much use.

The rules change, the codices change, and the advice would be based upon your own tactical methods, others may not play in the same way.

If it were just to teach the rules, the most simple way by far is to just read the rulebook and play games with someone who knows the rules and is good at explaining. Any book expanding on it is just going to further complicate the matter.

[Denzark]

If you are asking 'is it legal' as a 'go/no-go' factor before you commence I suggest there are 3 possible methods:

1. Ask some internet wisemen you never have and never will meet. If you take CoA 1 I suggest you save some money for your future legal battles.

2. Ask some high falutin' IP lawyer.

3. Ask GW if they will support it or run you through the courts.

CoA 3 will let you know whether to tell your prospective publisher, presumably Dummy Corp or whover prints them, that they need to factor in potential legal battles before they work out how much advance to give you.

[Wolfshade]

If you are just trying to do a "quick start" for your gaming group, not for profit, then while questionable "legality" I don't think GW would have a problem, it is when you no longer have it as a personal use thingy.

[SaveModifier]

Yeah, ifyou have a few newbies in your local blub/gaming store and you want to throw a quick start guide together as a cheat sheet, that would probably be ok, but again, contacting GW for permission would cover you in this case, they might ask that they're only given to players who have purchased a copy of the rulebook for example, if its for anything but these circumstances, you really, really need to speak to the IP holder, GW in this case and ask permission, if they shoot you down (and they will), then procede at your own risk

[Pssyche]

It's hard enough to agree on an interpretation of the rules at the best of times.
And now we're going to be expected to agree on an interpretation of an interpretation of the rules that don't even have the fallback that you originally wrote those rules and as such have a unique insight into how they are meant to work...

No thanks.

[desert_hack]

Fritz has done a 'basic tactica' style ebook which he sells on his site. It's like 10 dollars. I bought a copy, it's pretty good. It's not so much about how to learn to play the game (that's what the rule book is for), but how to play it to a decent standard. Quality is alright.
You couldn't sell it on amazon though, if that's what you're intending.