New panel via VC screenshot - Copyright infringement?

Wild Bill Kelso

Wild Bill Kelso

Charter Member 2011
Hi, folks!

As posted in the Carenado thread, I currently toy with the idea to build (and release...) a new 2D Panel for the Carenado C185 Bush Skywagon which is in desperate need of a decent 2D pit.

The plan is to take a screenshot of the very nice VC and turn it into a background bitmap (with a 16:10 aspect ratio) and then add the usual gauges. Of course none of those Carenado-owned gauges will be included into the upload, just the bitmap and the customized panel.cfg. The VC parameters will remain unaltered.

Would this procedure be a violation of copyright?

Any opinions welcome.

Cheers,
Markus.
 
Hiya Markus,

Strictly i think it would, but beter save then sorry, ask Carenado.

Regards,

Marcel
 
I would definitely ask permission since it is payware and you plan to use a part of the payware package as the background for your work.
 
Markus,

If you are simply looking to create a template (gauge placement and panel shape), you should be okay, but use none of their textures or gauges ... none ...
 
Thanks for your answers, guys!

I think I have point this out:
None of the original files (be it a texture or gauge file) will be included!

What I have on my mind is the following:
Firing up the sim, zooming the VC view to a reasonable scale, making a screenshot.
Then editing the screenshot (turning the window areas to black, deleting the instrument faces etc.) and saving it as background BMP.
Next step is creating a new panel by adding the gauge's values - but of course none (repeat: none!) of the gauges or textures.

Only owners of the Skywagon will be able to make use of it and it's intended to encourage some more folks to buy the Carenado's package!

More opinions?

Cheers,
Markus.
 
Personally, I see no problem with your plan. But, since I am not the payware company that made the plane, my view on this counts for nothing. I would suggest that you send a message to the fine folks at Correnado and explain your intentions, in detail, and ask them if they have any reservations about your project. I don't think they would have a problem with it...you are not using any of the actual texture files or gauges, just a screen shot of the VC panel edited to work as a 2D panel. And as you said, having a 2D panel available for the plane may well get them a bit of business from folks who prefer to fly via the 2D panel.

OBIO
 
.
Id do it and then tell them about it. Going by the old adage: "It's far easier to obtain forgiveness than permission."

Most likely, the lazy buggers'll realize that it's not everybody who has no use for a 2-D panel. Quite a few, like me, use them exclusively for operation, and only use the VC for "goofiing" (eyeballing out the windows).

So if they quote a lot of gobbledegook and turn you down, then you should maybe send a copy of your proposed panel my way -- y'know, to vet your work and determine whether it's up to par for the hoi polloi (nudge-nudge, wink-wink).
 
Thank you for your reasonable statements, gentlemen! :salute:

Once again, I'm sooo glad I've found this forum of sensible and adult simmers! :wavey:


HighGround22 said:
.
"It's far easier to obtain forgiveness than permission."
Click to expand...
I love this saying, Jon and I excessiveley make use of it in my job, but in this case I should better be more careful...

... you should maybe send a copy of your proposed panel ...
Click to expand...
That's a splendid idea - wilco!
I could additionally spread it to a number of "beta testers" in advance ... :engel016: - anyone interested?
Just shoot me a PM.

Cheers,
Markus.
 
Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with your idea of using only the screenshot and nothing else that came from Carenado to build a 2D panel.

But if there is any doubt about the legality of this even spreading it as a "Beta" version would still be a violation of the EULA.

I would build it and then send the guys at Carenado a copy to see what it would look like. But I would not share it at all before getting their OK.

Just my $0.01 :D

Stefan
 
Hi,

personally, I'm not quite sure whether it won't be a copyright infringement if you use the screenshot as a bitmap for the release version. After all, you're using their work, even though it is processed by redering it in Fs, but it is still originally their work.

I for one wouldn't be too happy about it for sure.

Don't want to spoil the party, but maybe better ask before you spread your bitmap around.

Best regards,
Volker
 
I'm temporarily using this alternate (c185_pan.zip) from flightsim until Markus gets his approval.
I just incorporated the bitmap and its gauges call from the panel.cfg into the panel.cfg of the Carenado C185F.

For a temp 2D panel it works out fine.
 
Volker Böhme said:
... but it is still originally their work.
Click to expand...
That's the point!

I make use of something they've built and this is where my concerns are based on.
After all, it's more than repainting exterior textures, covered by their EULA and common sense.

And finally, it's a question of respect.

So it stands to reason to ask for permission in advance - sorry for the disabled beta-testers, but hopefully Carenado will give me a go.

Thanks for your answers!

Cheers,
Markus.
 
Seems like an idea, but besides the fact that this particular image sure is copyrighted too, the charming idea of using a VC shot is to perfectly blend both views when switching.
Like Jon, I like the VC view to improve my situational awareness ("where the heck am I?") and for sightseeing purposes. A completey different appearance of the 2D cab would be rather annoying.

The 2D panel shouldn't replace the VC - it's meant to be an addition!

Cheers,
Markus.
 
Markus,

If you don't mind waiting, I can take a photo of the panel of one of the 185's which regularly fly into my airport.

Pete.
 
Thanks for this kind offer, mate! :salute:
I'll be getting back on it - although I'd currently prefer the VC shot, just to keep the transition between both views smooth...

Cheers,
Markus.
 
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