Using Store Products in a Game Project

namnlosen_3af07481dd

Hello,

I'm involved with a small indie team working on a game, and we are interested in using some of the store items for our project, but we're having trouble working out what license and what EULA covers what item.

This is from the DAZ Game Dev V FAQ (http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/artzone/pub/gamedev/start)

Q. Doesn’t the DAZ 3D End User License Agreement (Eula) prohibit the use of DAZ 3D models in games?

A. DAZ 3D has introduced a new Developer EULA that is available for all of the models and content at DAZ 3D has introduced a new licensing for DAZ Originals and some brokered products (Game Developer Licensing) which includes distribution rights within projects like games and simulations.

This is't very clear, especially as the Daz3D Indie License (http://www.daz3d.com/indie-game-developer-license) says that the license only applies to items specifically sold by the DAZ3D vendor:

Features
This license is good for DAZ 3D owned models ONLY! (Vendor=DAZ3D)
This license is governed by the DAZ 3D Game Developer EULA.
Note:DAZ 3D published or brokered content MAY NOT be distributed under this license and is subject to the regular DAZ 3D EULA.

We want to make sure that we are going to use any items in a legitimate and legal way, so we would like some clarification for things like this item, where DAZ3D shares the vendor credit with another vendor - http://www.daz3d.com/parkside-tube-station

Is this covered completely by the DAZ Indie License, or do we also need to get permission from the other vendor?

And is an item like this http://www.daz3d.com/city-streets covered by the EULA, or do we also need to ask the vendor for their permission to make use of their product in our project?

Regards,

NJ

fixmypcmike

If DAZ 3D is listed as a vendor, then the product is covered by the DAZ 3D Gaming License. A few of the PA's, such as RawArt, have Gaming Licenses for their products, but Predatron does not.

Note that the Gaming License is required only if the actual mesh is used in the game -- if you are only using rendered sprites or animations, the regular content license is all you need.

namnlosen_3af07481dd

Then we would need to contact vendors such as Predartron personally to gain their permission to use their products?

fixmypcmike

That's correct.

namnlosen_3af07481dd

There is one more point we would like a clarification on: if an item is credited to two vendors, DAZ and another artist, what is the procedure for using it? Does the DAZ indie license cover it completely, or do we also need to contact the other vendor?

Chohole

Namnlosen said:

There is one more point we would like a clarification on: if an item is credited to two vendors, DAZ and another artist, what is the procedure for using it? Does the DAZ indie license cover it completely, or do we also need to contact the other vendor?

If DAZ 3D is listed as the first vendor, then it is a DAZ Original and covered by the license

namnlosen_3af07481dd

Another query: we are a volunteer group, and this is our first project, so we are unsure if A) we'll even be successful, or B) how much income we might make - which of the two available DAZ gaming licenses should we purchase, and at what point should the purchase be made?

Herald of Fire

If you plan to release the project for others to play, you will need an Indie license at a minimum. Remember that the license exists to protect Daz's intellectual property which in this instance is the 3D mesh you are including in the game. Whether released for free or released for a fee, the game will need to be covered by this license. Should the game become popular enough to exceed expectations, and the limits of the indie license, you should purchase the full license.

The purchase should be made before any form of distribution, even if it's just a copy to a friend and even if that friend is helping you work on the project. Every copy made of the mesh is, after all, a potential loss of income for Daz which is what the license exists to cover.