Was just reading the thread in the mini pins and wg closing the guy down awhile ago and had this thought.
How would this scenario pan out for argument sake. I want cabinet decals for a T2 and have scans (which I don't but let's pretend I do). Also the cost side of things is somewhat prohibitive to go to print etc etc. Would things still be breaking copyright if a group of us all owning T2's got together and did a mass print?
If this didn't contravene copyright couldn't this be done for other parts.
Interested in the flaws in my argument
I imagine that distribution of the digital artwork (scans) would contravene copyright, much like the situation with Gottlieb Pinball Manuals.
Then again someone would have to prove that you got the artwork from somebody else.
It does seem silly sometimes that other parts that a licensed distributor doesn't have available for sale (and never will have) can still be controlled by them.
Gottlieb Manuals - I photocopy my original manuals so that when I'm working on a machine, I can scribble notes and keep it for future reference. If I don't own a manual, I buy one. I'm happy to support the owners of the copyright. If I sold the photocopies, then I would expect to be prosecuted. Steve is quiet lenient (within reason). I once required Pro Football flipper bat decals. He was out of stock and gave me permission to scan my old decals and reproduce them on one condition - it was for my game and not to be onsold. Gottlieb LLC are really GREAT to work with and support the hobbyists.
Cabinet decals - An interesting topic. Digital artwork may include photos of the decals, or the decals on a machine ? If I wanted to restore a DMD with missing or damaged artwork, and that artwork was unavailable to purchase, then I have the right to restore the artwork. If that means "reproducing" that artwork for that machine, then surely I should be able to ? If I knew an artist and a printer capable of reproducing that damaged artwork, for a machine I own, then I believe I can do this without breaching copyright ? As long as I destroy the original files, and I don't make a second copy, and I don't try to sell the files or copie(s), then I should be ok ? Now I'm not sure 100%, but if a license holder tried to prosecute me for a breach of copyright, he would have to prove to a court that there was a loss of earnings. Given the sideart is not commercially available and I have not made a profit on the artwork, then I don't think I'm breaking the law. At the end of the process, I have a machine that has been faithfully restored.
If someone prints off and distributes decals without asking permission, then that would attract court proceedings (and rightly so)
I believe it is an interesting topic for discussion, and really, it is a matter of opinion as I don't think anyone was ever prosecuted.
