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Copying existing miniatures - Laws, licences and legality
Copying existing miniatures - Laws, licences and legality
Article updated: 2023.03.01
When you decide to use the designs others made to create a miniature (be it a recast miniature, 3D printed model, papercraft), there are several legal points you have to consider: copyright, design protection, trademark, derivative work rights.
Summary
When someone creates a miniature, they have the copyright to the mini, that is, the right to create copies of it. Creating copies without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal.
If a sculptor wants to copy the designs of an existing intellectual property (IP), they need the IP holder's permission to do that. The way you create this copy (recast miniature, 3D printed miniature, papercraft miniature) doesn't matter in this regard. Copying the original designs without the licence is illegal. The law protects every design for a number of years. After it has passed, you can use the design to sculpt or print your own model, but you still can't make physical copies of the originals, and in most cases you can't use the likeness of real people.
I've seen several opinions and question on the internet about the legalities of copying miniatures, so I've collected some of them.
Contents
The legality of making copies of miniatures
The legality of creating accessories for miniatures
Often cited reasons for making illegal copies of miniatures
Places with different laws regarding making copies of miniatures
Legal actions against copying miniatures
The legality of creating papercraft model copies of miniatures
The legality of creating 3D printer copies of miniatures
Resources - Copying existing miniatures - Laws, licences and legality
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Creating crystal terrain for miniatures
Creating crystal terrain for miniatures
I've collected some ideas and resources about creating pieces of crystal terrain for your miniatures.
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Guide to basing miniatures
Basing miniatures - Miniature hobby guide
Article updated: 2020.04.16
I've gathered information about basing your miniatures.
Further articles about miniature basing:
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Guide to casting miniatures
Casting miniatures - Miniature hobby guide
I've gathered my experiences with casting miniatures. I've also collected the resources and casting tutorials I've found interesting.
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Guide to transporting your miniatures collection
Guide to transporting your miniatures collection
There comes the time when you'd like to transport your collection of miniatures - perhaps for a painting competition or for a wargaming event.
I've gathered some thought about methods to carry your army of miniatures safely around.
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Guide to using glue on miniature models
Using glue - Miniature hobby guide
image © LoctiteGlues are used to stick parts of the miniatures together. There are several kinds of glues you can use for modelling.
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How to apply waterslide decals on miniatures - Miniature hobby guide
How to apply waterslide decals on miniatures - Miniature hobby guide
Article updated: 2022.07.30
A waterslide decal is kind of decal that can be used to decorate miniatures.
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How to paint visually interesting undead miniatures - Miniature painting guide
How to paint visually interesting undead miniatures - Miniature painting guide
Painting undead is not easy, even if you've mastered painting dead flesh. I've collected my thoughts on the subject of painting miniature zombies and other undead.
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How to remove paint from miniatures? A complete guide to stripping miniatures - Miniature hobby guide
Removing paint from miniatures - Miniature hobby guide
Article updated: 2020.11.23
Stripping paint off miniatures is useful when you want to remove a previous paintjob from your miniature. Sometimes you wish to change the paint scheme of the miniature or just get rid of the previous layers of paint. There are several ways to strip paint from your miniatures. I've collected my thought on removing paint from miniatures.
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How to use brush-on liquid cyanoacrylate glue - Miniature hobby guide
How to use brush-on liquid cyanoacrylate glue - Miniature hobby guide
image © LoctiteArticle updated: 2020.09.09
Liquid cyanoacrylate glue is a useful addition to a lots of gaming related activities. Normal, gel-like Cyanoacrylate glue (CA glue) is known and used by every modeller as a superglue to attach different materials. However, during conversations I realized there are several people who don't know the benefits of brush-on liquid cyanoacrylate glues, so I collected some of my ideas.
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How to use miniature varnish - Miniature hobby guide
How to use miniature varnish - Miniature hobby guide
Article updated: 2021.02.11
I've gathered information about miniature varnish, and varnishing miniatures. If you'd like to know how to varnish miniatures, or what is the best varnish for miniatures, this is the varnishing guide you need.
Contents
Applying varnish on miniatures
Possible problems during varnishing
Frosting: How to prevent or fix frosting when you varnish miniatures
Stickiness: How to fix miniatures if the varnish remains sticky
Removing varnish from your miniatures
What is the best varnish for miniatures?
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Materials miniatures are made of
Materials miniatures are made of
Miniatures come in several different materials. I've collected the differences between them.
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Miniature assembly commission services
Miniature assembly commission servicesMiniature assembly commission services: If you find it difficult to put your metal or plastic models together, they can assemble and glue your miniatures for you.
There are those kind of people who like to play with minis, some might even like to paint them, but just hate to fiddle with the assembly. If you ever wondered "Who would assemble my minis for me?", I've collected a database of commission wargame and boardgame miniature assembling services for you. I've listed the commission miniature assembly services by area.
Services
- Miniature figure assembly
- Miniature vehicle assembly
- MDF scenery assembly
Guidelines
- From the Warp: How to find a good artist for commission work: Guidelines for ordering commissions.
- From the Warp: How to find a good client for commission work: Guidelines for those who take commissions.
- Spikey Bits: Cheap is Not Enough! Painting Studio Study: Review and comparison of miniatures related services.
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Miniature bits trading services
Miniature bits trading services
Article updated: 2022.10.15
Miniature bits trading services offer small parts and bits for miniature modellers. These bits can be used to build your wargame and boardgame miniatures or to convert and change existing ones. I've listed the miniature bits trading services by area.
Resources
DakkaDakka: Buying Bitz and Wargaming Supplies Online: A list of bits stores.
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Miniature casting services
Miniature casting services: Do you have an own wargame or boardgame miniature sculpt you'd like to have some copies of? You can cast as many as you want if you pay for casting services. I've included some 3D printing services that specialize in miniatures. I've listed the commission miniature casting services by area.
If you see (Games Nexus) listed in the links for a casting service or 3D printing service, it means you can find product reviews of their work on our website. If you see the name of a person highlighted as a link, it means you can find an article about that person and their work.
There are two kinds of moulds you can use to cast miniatures:
Rubber moulds: They are made of rubber, cheaper to produce. You can cast metal or resin miniatures from these.
Steel moulds: They are made of steel, have a longer life, but more expensive to produce. You can cast polystyrene, PVC miniatures this way.
Prodos UniCast: An interesting version of steel moulds, seems to be cheaper than the usual moulds.
- Michal Hartlinski (from Prodos Games): Prodos UniCast is here: Preview article.
Guidelines
- From the Warp: How to find a good artist for commission work: Guidelines for ordering commissions.
- From the Warp: How to find a good client for commission work: Guidelines for those who take commissions.
- Spikey Bits: Cheap is Not Enough! Painting Studio Study: Review and comparison of miniatures related services.
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Miniature modeling - Resources
Miniature modeling - Resources
Article updated: 2022.08.27
Miniature games often require special minis that you can't buy out of the shop. This is when you need to do your own miniature modelling to get exactly what you imagined. I've gathered the resources you might need to get miniature models that fit your own ideas.
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Miniature painting commission services
Miniature painting commission servicesArticle updated: 2021.08.25
Miniature painting commission services: If you don't like to paint, don't have the time or don't have the patience, there are others who can help you. You don't have to wonder "who would paint my wargame or boardgame minis for me?" any more, just check these commission painters. I've listed the commission miniature painting services by area.
Guidelines
- From the Warp: How to find a good artist for commission work: Guidelines for ordering commissions.
- From the Warp: How to find a good client for commission work: Guidelines for those who take commissions.
- Spikey Bits: Cheap is Not Enough! Painting Studio Study: Review and comparison of miniatures related services.
- How To Commission A Painting: Although it's a guide to painting pictures, but I feel most of it is useful for commissioning miniature paintings too. (2020.03.29: The article is offline.)
- Atom Smasher (from Tabletop Minions): Finding a Commission Painter: Video about commission painters.
- Sarkadi Sándor (Kaba) (from Gates of Hell - The Beardy and the Fluffy): Kabaman's personal opinion about Hungarian commission painters (in Hungarian): Guidelines article in Hungarian.
Before you order your miniatures to be painted, decide on your miniature related philosophies, and check with the painter to do the miniature according to your wishes: Games Nexus: Painting miniatures - Design concepts
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Miniature sculpting commission services
Miniature sculpting commission servicesMiniature sculpting commission services: When you really need a wargame or boardgame miniature but you can't find it on the market, you can always commission a sculptor. I've listed the commission miniature sculpting services by area.
Physical sculpting: The sculptor creates a physical copy while sculpting it. If you already have a caster, ask them about their requirements of the original sculpt. Some sculpts need to be larger than the intended size of the miniature, some need to withstand intense heat, so get the information before the sculpt is done.
3D sculpting: The sculptor creates a virtual miniature that can be 3D printed. Before you assume the sculptor will give you a miniature ready to cast, ask them whether they'll create a file ready to print, will they send you a printed copy, and will they create a physical copy of the miniature, ready to be casted. Don't assume a 3D sculptor will do any of these, beyond creating a 3D design. It's also recommended to find 3D sculptors that have some history with creating castable miniatures, so they'll have a better idea what you expect of them.
If you see (Games Nexus) listed in the links for a sculpting service, it means you can find product reviews of their work on our website. If you see the name of a person highlighted as a link, it means you can find an article about that person and their work.
Guidelines
- From the Warp: How to find a good artist for commission work: Guidelines for ordering commissions.
- From the Warp: How to find a good client for commission work: Guidelines for those who take commissions.
- Spikey Bits: Cheap is Not Enough! Painting Studio Study: Review and comparison of miniatures related services.
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Miniature terrain making commission services
Miniature terrain making commission services: If you like realistic scenery but don't have time or patience to do the terrain making yourself, there are professional terrain makers to help you out. Most wargames require terrain and scenery, and several boardgames are enhanced with scenery or 3D terrain and props you can commission to terrain makers. I've listed the commission miniature terrain making services by area.
Guidelines
- From the Warp: How to find a good artist for commission work: Guidelines for ordering commissions.
- From the Warp: How to find a good client for commission work: Guidelines for those who take commissions.
- Spikey Bits: Cheap is Not Enough! Painting Studio Study: Review and comparison of miniatures related services.
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Miniatures - Base types for miniature basing
Article updated: 2020.04.04
I've collected the different ways to base your miniatures. Although you can choose your own style, sometimes the ruleset of your chosen game dictates the stand shape or basing style you can use.
For further information on how to base your miniatures:
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