Commercial use of Charas...

[maksw]

I'm a game developer (and old skool to boot), and I'm champing at the bit to do some small scale, small fee games using charas sprites (did anyone read "iPhone" there? hmm...)

Basically, I think (creep mode active) that charas is ace - it's a fantastic resource on the web, and kudos to all those involved with it - you do yourselves proud! 

I've scurried about the forums a bit, and found other prior posts asking about commercial use, but none of the answers seem to clarify it 100% for me.

So, I thought I'd ask "the question" so that it can be cleared up for future bod's that pass this way.

• Can the spritesheets generated by Charas (and Charas.ex) be used in an independent commercial project - that is not associated with RPGMaker?
• If they can, would they be for free?
• If not free, how do I pay the individuals involved? Can I track the sprite "parts" down to the owners and contact them indivudually (through charas-project.net I presume) and resolve matters on a case by case basis?
• Or, would a site donation suffice?

Charas fits the bill for me 110% and I know I can do them justice... so if they are free, or cost some dosh - I don't care, I just want to get my sticky paws on them and get dev'ing... and although getting stuff for free would be great, I've no problem with reciprocating something back for the privilege, no leeching intended here!

All thoughts, feedback, righteous flaming, etc. gratefully received



 

[X_marks_the_ed]

"iPhone"

No.

[Fisherson]

Well.... You could use them for a commercial project, but there's a chance certain nut jobs like Jet and me out there may think because they made it, it belongs to them and hunt you for sport. Though anything in the CR is public domain, so you're free to use how you feel. Does that help you?

[Archem]

No.

[Osmose]

I'm busy right now, but will have an answer to this later today or so.

[Dragoon de Sol]

I don't think you can, since the body pose itself is modeled after the RTP sprites that Enterbrain released with RM2K3, and the bodyparts are made to fit those by others, so unless you gave them credit for it in some way, I think there's a way they can claim use of copyrighted material. If they wont, you can bet your *** Enterbrain sure well.

[fruckert]

I think some of the custom templates you are able to use with permission, but as Dragoon said, I don't think that the Generator's are free due to the whole Enterbrain deal.

[HobomasterXXX]

Half the **** in the CR and generators is ripped from Squaresoft RPGs anyway. Regardless, your game will look shitty and unprofessional if you use charas gen stuff.

[Osmose]

All sprites submitted to Charas-Project are submitted with no disclaimer or guarantee of any kind. We're similar in function to file-sharing networks; if Square decided to send a takedown notice for our sprites, we'd have to take them down if they indeed infringed upon copyrights (luckily for us Square doesn't really care).

Thus we don't impose any single license. Long story short? You're not going to be able to use the sprites in your game without permission from the original author (And many of the sprites are infringing already). If you really want to, hunt down the user and ask if you may use their work, but it's not going to be worth your time.

Trust me. Keep things simple and make your own sprites, or commission them. Feel free to post a thread requesting a partner on the forums. I'm sure one of these shmucks would sprite for cash.

[Darkfox]

Well.... You could use them for a commercial project, but there's a chance certain nut jobs like Jet and me out there may think because they made it, it belongs to them and hunt you for sport. Though anything in the CR is public domain, so you're free to use how you feel. Does that help you?

You forgot to say: And a certain black fox guy might seek you out to administer divine justice corrective counsel.

[Archem]

luckily for us Square doesn't really care

Oh, you'd be surprised...

[maksw]

Thanks to everyone for expressing their opinion 

And thanks to Osmose - you've nailed the implications perfectly. Result = "No." (as many had already said ) but with sound (and legal) reason.

In response to HobomasterXXX - these sprites might look a bit ragged compared to the likes of - well, say - any "modern high spec platform" sprite based game, sure... but they look bloody good for an old skool low spec (or even low res) platform (especailly iPhone - just wanted to irk X_marks_the_ed again ). It's all down to perspective, and expectation - personally, I think the entire collection "rocks"

Well, 'nuff said - I shall fall back to the backup fall back plan, of using Charas just for prototyping... once I'm happy with the li'l project (if ever) - I'll get some kind spriter to help out replacing them.

Thanks for the prompt responses guys - well done with the site, and strength for the future!

[Darkfox]

Oh, you'd be surprised...

And I know better than to EVEN try. They'll get you for the tiniest things. :\

[X_marks_the_ed]

Be nice to him, Ed.

I am. I could've done much, much worse.

[Archem]

And I know better than to EVEN try. They'll get you for the tiniest things. :\

So true. If you dig around enough, you can find some real horror stories about publisher greed.