Legal issues over depicting World War Two equipment

[mondo]

Originally Posted by Friendly_flyer

This applies to this case in that a certain US company has made sure they have control of the "intellectual property" of their vintage designs. If they let it slip once, anyone with a good barrister can claim "legal precedence", and start to use the companies other (and no doubt more important) intellectual property, effectively robbing them of their design rights. I don't think a certain US company ever thought Oleg or his IL2-series to be a threat in themselves.

If thats the case then why not use this as an example: The WW2 US army boot, helmet, shovel/trenching tool, pocket knife. I bet no one seeks permission to use the image rights of those but I bet someone does own the design and image rights for them but doesn't give a **** if there used. I mean how stupid would that be for the owner of the design or image rights of the US GI helmet to say "You can't use its image, I want to see that statue in Arlington down by the end of the week and no more WW2 computer games, thanks."

I guess the other main point is the 'product' is a historical relic thats part of the history of a number of nations and the design is neither current, competitive, in production, marketed or anything else which could affect the profits or operation of NG.

Imagine if BAE behaved in such a childish money grabbing manner. I think they own the rights to almost every British military thing ever made and a few US ones too!