Nike Class Battlecruiser

[prelude_to_war]

well that's the dilemna, if it's possible to cast this thing it may be available for sale in limited quantities. Therein lies the problem. I've emailed a friend of mine who's a patent lawyer. We'll see what he says.

 

[Locutus9956]

One point I think that should be noted, is simply did the ships designer actually apply for any kind of copyright or patent on his design? If not then it shouldnt be an issue (I would tend to think he probably didnt as he would techically then have to aquire the rights to the EA logo and various other bits on the ship that are themselves technically warner bros. propery).

 

[Lord David the Denied]

You don't need to apply for a copyright. If you create something it's automatically cipyrighted, whether anyone ever sees it or not.

 

[alien027]

Another thing, You are not copy 100% acurate his desing, Your have your persanal touch and that make your ship diferent. But your patent lawyer could tell you if I'm right in my apreation. But I wish you luck. And if you make it, I'm in your buyer list.

I see a story from the people who make the 12 inches GI joe, They make the their action figure with a intentional mistake, a finger nail in the wrong side of the finger. Then if in the street they found a action figure with the mistake in the same fingger. WOW! That was a inlegal copy. If is not, that was a proxy and that was legal.

 

[Locutus9956]

however if you want any kind of legal backing you do still need to REGISTER said copyright or anyone else can simply say they came up with the idea on their own before you.

 

[alien027]

that is true! :?

 

[prelude_to_war]

however if you want any kind of legal backing you do still need to REGISTER said copyright or anyone else can simply say they came up with the idea on their own before you.

Actually, I had a run-in with GF9 on this same issue. The arc template we all use and love was created via collaboration by myself and someone else on these forums. Without going into too much detail GF9 basically sent me a bunch of free stuff to prevent any type of litigation (about $200 in value). I wasn't interested in suing them but as far as copyright goes my lawyer friend told me I had only a 50/50 shot at winning since I didn't properly copyright anything.

I don't want to infringe upon the Nike creator in this same manner...but if he doesn't respond to my email I'm not sure what to think.

 

[CZuschlag]

Prelude,

In the case of the turrets, I saw a Earth-Minbari bits pack at Games Plus. Nova turrets and so forth. Sounds just like what you need. Only one of 'em, though.

 

[prelude_to_war]

Thanks for the heads up C but I've already ordered the turrets I need from Mongoose...Poseidon, Warlock, Artemis and Nova turrets all on the way. If anything this thing will have a lot of guns.

 

[CINCEFNI]

however if you want any kind of legal backing you do still need to REGISTER said copyright or anyone else can simply say they came up with the idea on their own before you.

Actually, I had a run-in with GF9 on this same issue. The arc template we all use and love was created via collaboration by myself and someone else on these forums. Without going into too much detail GF9 basically sent me a bunch of free stuff to prevent any type of litigation (about $200 in value). I wasn't interested in suing them but as far as copyright goes my lawyer friend told me I had only a 50/50 shot at winning since I didn't properly copyright anything.

I don't want to infringe upon the Nike creator in this same manner...but if he doesn't respond to my email I'm not sure what to think.

Well, I am sorry but I haven't received your e-mail, anyway:

1-EFNI http://www.efni.org/ and all the stuff it contains is copyrighted by me - I am the siteowner and author (and the concept art designer) - copy deposit at the U.S. Congress libruary.

2-The Nike model you are scratchbuilding is fantastic!! My sincere compliments.

3-For the copyright question, I guess we can find a gentlemans agreement - eventually, while of course a model for personal use is not subject to copyright, for a short run production of resin/other material kits would be nice to add a link to the original drawing page, and an aknowledgement of myself as the original conceptual designer of the ship. For larger (and very unlikely...) production runs, well, i guess will be possible to discuss it when (and if) needed. Actually, I am not particularly concerned.

4- I can't understand what are the material dimensions of the model - I guess that a single piece mold would be quite difficult - eventually, given that the top and bottom faces of the Nike are almost symmetric - except for some details and for the bow - would be possible to build a mold that makes up an half of the whole hull - say the top part - with one "wing" and relative side - two of these pieces would build the main hull. Then could be made molds for the cannons and some details - like engines and cannon sponsons.

Talk soon and my best regards - Luciano M. Trentadue


webmaster@efni.org

 

[prelude_to_war]

Hi Luciano, thanks for contacting me! I've emailed you at the webmaster address you've supplied. Originally I'd tried contacting you at luciano.trentadue at efni.org but looks like that didn't' make it.

As you can see from the forum there is some interest in this mini...I'm meeting with my mould-makign contact on Monday and will let you know what he thinks. If we can make a mini, something like 100 at the most is what I'm thinking. If we can't make a mini, well then I have to create them by hand in which case you won't have anything to worry about (this one took about 2 months up to its current state).

In any case I really admire your designs and hope we can work something out. Please refer to the email I've sent so that we might continue business offline.

 

[edwardo_sanchez]

I'm so depressed now. You're model looks sooooo much better than what is coming out I feel sad really. Sad that the fans can come up with better products than the manufacturers. WOW I'm really really really impressed by you're model. You totally rock. If you're ever in Boston there's a beer waiting for you on principle........Hey I'll give you my wife if you can build me a White star that looks half way decent.....>) (Just don't tell the wife that.....)

I wish Brian never left Mongoose.........Wow......

 

[edwardo_sanchez]

maybe you could take The model to a scanning shop and make a scan of it or do it up in Cad and send it to a 3d lathe. They're experiementing at MIT with 3D lathes right now and I'd love to see you're ship. Maybe the body could be made plastic with outer bits made of metal?

 

[Chernobyl]

Hey!
now that's an idea!

Chern

 

[prelude_to_war]

If you're ever in Boston there's a beer waiting for you on principle........

I'll take you up on that the next time I'm there!

Hey I'll give you my wife if you can build me a White star that looks half way decent.....>) (Just don't tell the wife that.....)

Just don't tell my wife either!!

I'm not familiar with the 3d lathe process but if they're experimenting with it at MIT, something tells me it would be hard to try. From what I've heard, resin may be cheaper to do...we'll see.

 

[sidewinder]

Try using a 3D printer, you can make most anything with those.

 

[edwardo_sanchez]

If you need any help with molds my friends and I have "borrowed" many castings and are expert casters. If you need any help feel free to ask away.

Cheers,

Edwardo

 

[edwardo_sanchez]

One other thing, I didn't read the thread but as long as you market your model as "something" other than B5 no one can say anything. As far as B5 goes Mongoose doesn't even drill stand holes. So as long as you're model doesn't have anything to directly point to B5 call it a "Fabalon Six" or something equally cheesy I think you'll be cool as long as intellectual property goes. Market it as a "generic" ship that just happens to work with the B5 game.

 

[prelude_to_war]

Luciano and I still have to work out details but here's the latest. Since this is fan created it shouldn't be an issue with the B5 license. And edwardo, marketing it something like 'Fabalon Six' is a good idea. I just don't think I can advertise on this site...we'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it.

Thanks to friendlyfire for the engine idea. It's not exactly like the CGI., frankly I was having trouble figuring out how to recreate that part and avoid the 'hand sculpted' look. I think it turned out pretty well:

Another shot with a Chronos for size reference:

The completed mini as far as I can take it:

At this point I just need to add the turrets, prime it and paint it. However this is all contingent on what the mould-making possibilities are. That conversation on Monday.

 

[Chernobyl]

I like it! engine cluster looks good!