Cash For Gamers

[Squall234]

Got one and replied. See what will happen.

[MattStar]

I replied and they sent me a list of boxarts they wanted to use. Seem legit to me. I asked them how exactly they would use them though.

[woopwoop11]

I didn't get one :O

[Mtp]

Didn't get one. I wish I did though...

[Throavium]

I still have not gotten a reply back.

[MattStar]

REPLY:

We will be in booth #239 at the Los Angeles, CA Convention Center between June 29 - July 2 2012. We will be in the exhibit hall from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. Friday - Sunday, and 10 A.M. - 3 P.M. on Monday. Our booth is 10' x 10'. The entire right side wall will be dedicated to various video game artworks that we would like to display from this website and various other artist sources. Below the art will be your username (MattStar) along with this reference link so that interested attendees can view more of your art if they wish (http://vgboxart.com/designer/MattStar/). If you would like for us to use your full name rather than your username, please message us back with your full name and we would be happy to make the change!


Various artworks will be given to attendees for free when they buy a game corresponding to the artwork, or simply if they visit our booth and request a copy. If you'd like, we can tell you how many individuals requested your artwork during the convention. We will post numerous photos of our booth during and after the convention on our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/CashForGamers


If you'd like, we can send you a list of the artworks we are interested in; however, there is no guarantee that all of them will be displayed! If there is any artwork that you do not want us to display, please let us know and we will respect your wishes.


Kind Regards,
Cash For Gamers Team

I have no doubts as to the validity of this company anymore. I gave them the thumbs-up.

[Crotale]

You guys do know that for them to display your boxarts that contain copyrighted material you aren't authorized to display, you may be violating the copyrights of the game companies you are a fan of. I would check on the licensing of material before submitting any works for display.

[Ronthis the Werewolf]

You guys do know that for them to display your boxarts that contain copyrighted material you aren't authorized to display, you may be violating the copyrights of the game companies you are a fan of. I would check on the licensing of material before submitting any works for display.

I think C4G will already have the O.K. on it before they go and advertise.

[Crotale]

I think C4G will already have the O.K. on it before they go and advertise.

"Various artworks will be given to attendees for free when they buy a game corresponding to the artwork, or simply if they visit our booth and request a copy."

They will need written authorization from EVERY copyright holder of these intellectual properties, since they are giving these out as promotional items meant to drum up business.

I have an organization that has requested use of my unique fanart for a promo, but I'm not going ahead with it until I see a license from the owner of the IP. This is because my fanart is considered a derivative and I cannot copyright it unless the IP owner gives me the release to do so.

All I'm telling you guys is for you to be cautious when working with these organizations. Many of these groups willingly violate copyrights and will ask for forgiveness in lieu of permission.

[Ronthis the Werewolf]

"Various artworks will be given to attendees for free when they buy a game corresponding to the artwork, or simply if they visit our booth and request a copy."

They will need written authorization from EVERY copyright holder of these intellectual properties, since they are giving these out as promotional items meant to drum up business.

I have an organization that has requested use of my unique fanart for a promo, but I'm not going ahead with it until I see a license from the owner of the IP. This is because my fanart is considered a derivative and I cannot copyright it unless the IP owner gives me the release to do so.

All I'm telling you guys is for you to be cautious when working with these organizations. Many of these groups willingly violate copyrights and will ask for forgiveness in lieu of permission.

They're probably not going to use a shit ton of boxarts though, maybe just 15 at the most. So they are probably going to get the permission.

[JRTombRaider]

Wow, I actually got one too. I replied and they replied back. They might use one of my box arts (TR AoD). Seems like they're only looking for printables? Anyway, at first I was a bit skeptical, but now I'm convinced it's legit.

Quite cool .

[D_Nikolaos]

I wonder what cases they're going to use, I mean they requested the use of my Galerians: Ash X Rion and Phantasy Star Universe Complete, and neither of these combo packages actually exist. I wondered if they would actually sell these together, because it's not at all impossible, just highly unlikely. And unlike MattStar they linked some other persons VGBA page to me in their reply. They linked some guy called HalfSwiss http://vgboxart.com/designer/HalfSwiss/ Kind of awkward considering they had my user name right but not the link.

(Also I decided to retract my previously stated permission to use my boxarts, as I realized after reading Crotale's posts that I would be in conflict with my Creative Commons license (Since I post all of my boxes on DA as well) if I allowed these to be used for commercial purposes.)

[beardedwalrus]

So apparently this is the box of mine they want to use. Dafuq.

http://vgboxart.com/view/39752/we-love-katamari-cover/

[Spiderpig24]

I'm sure they are probably a legitimate company, but I wouldn't (And didn't reply), because of the reasons Crotale posted.

[MattStar]

I feel like the only legal trouble that might ensure would be on Cash For Gamers part.

[Spiderpig24]

I feel like the only legal trouble that might ensure would be on Cash For Gamers part.

Not necessarily, they aren't the ones that created the "Image compilation" (Box art). They also aren't the ones that have it uploaded to the VGBA website. It would fall back on the user, as well as Cash for Gamer's for showing it without permission from the copyright holder.

[MattStar]

Not necessarily, they aren't the ones that created the "Image compilation" (Box art). They also aren't the ones that have it uploaded to the VGBA website. It would fall back on the user, as well as Cash for Gamer's for showing it without permission from the copyright holder.

I wish corporations weren't so pissy about this type of thing. If I'm making my own composition using their art for purely recreational purposes, the only thing I'm doing is advertising for their game. I'm not charging per view or selling my art, so why should they pursue me? I've learned of games and purchased them because I learned about them on VGBA. It's good advertising.

[Spiderpig24]

I wish corporations weren't so pissy about this type of thing. If I'm making my own composition using their art for purely recreational purposes, the only thing I'm doing is advertising for their game. I'm not charging per view or selling my art, so why should they pursue me? I've learned of games and purchased them because I learned about them on VGBA. It's good advertising.

I think that's why a majority of companies don't seem to care about VGBA, because it's not like they don't know it exists. With the exception of LEGO, of course.

[MattStar]

I think that's why a majority of companies don't seem to care about VGBA, because it's not like they don't know it exists. With the exception of LEGO, of course.

Haha LEGO is missing out, I'm telling you.

[Crotale]

I wish corporations weren't so pissy about this type of thing. If I'm making my own composition using their art for purely recreational purposes, the only thing I'm doing is advertising for their game. I'm not charging per view or selling my art, so why should they pursue me? I've learned of games and purchased them because I learned about them on VGBA. It's good advertising.

The difference is with this CFG's promotions, CFG is potentially generating revenue from the copyrighted artwork. Unlike a game, where a license can and does legally change hands, the license for the artwork isn't so. You cannot possess a copy of art unless the copyright owner authorizes it. Artwork shown on the web used by developers/publishers for their own games does come with stipulations. Each owner's stipulations differ.

As an example, Epic Games allows users to manipulate and use copyright imagery, but they cannot transfer the imagery via print or any electronic means not authorized by Epic. You can post it on the web as long as you link back to their fan art policy, you do not claim the art as your own, and you do not publish it commercially. To top this off, even original fan art creations must adhere to the stipulations, with the exception that the original piece is a derivative authorized to be copyrighted to the artist. The only kicker here is that you cannot register the work. What this means is that if someone wrongfully uses your work, as what happened to me, you cannot sue them for damages, only for a cease and desist.

Just because one game developer allows you to publish your compositions of their copyrighted images without incident on VGBA does not mean you can publish the compositions in print or other media/venues. I would advice anyone interested in this venture to contsact the developers/publishers to see if you have permission to allow CFG to display or give away your art in the manner they (CFG) have specified.