Nintendo Shuts Down Fan-Made Zelda Movie

[Bluesclues]

As much as it seems to be a theme of Nintendo hate in this thread, they are very just - and in fact very lenient in their decision to pull it after it had been in the public domain for a considerable period.

The reason they didn't intervene prior? Probably because it would have been difficult to prove it was planned for distribution. After all, corporations can't put a cease and desist on a school notebook.

However leaving it "live" for the period they did, people that care for the most part would have seen it.

Fan made items can be very damaging to a franchise, with barely any chance to improve its standing as some may think - "guilty by association" is a phrase that springs to mind. If something is bad enough it can taint the opinion of the source material.

If you drew a self portrait, and then your friend (i.e. fan) drew a dick on its head - it would taint the source material (you). On the other hand, if he smoothed the edges people wouldn't think any higher of it - its still a self portrait.

Of course, I'm speaking in general, there will undoubtedly be people indifferent to fan made articles.

At the end of the day it depends on potential market saturation as to whether something will provoke a wagging finger. Fame can be your own worst enemy in this regard.

This. Take the time to look up laws some time people, it's amazing what you learn when you read.

 

[YoUnG205]

I do not think that the fil would have been any good but still, how cold hearted of nintendo it is not like they were doing any thing that would hurt the company.

 

[kronoset]

I no fan of Nintendo (or Zelda--at all), but I gotta say, I'd pull a bastardization of my art any day. Seems like people think you can stick "Requiem for a Dream" over any video clip and somehow make it epic. The fan are free to make whatever movie they want, as long as they use their own plot, setting, and characters...think...they could've spent all that time coming up with a production that wasn't under direct copyright infringement....

 

[kronoset]

As much as it seems to be a theme of Nintendo hate in this thread, they are very just - and in fact very lenient in their decision to pull it after it had been in the public domain for a considerable period.

The reason they didn't intervene prior? Probably because it would have been difficult to prove it was planned for distribution. After all, corporations can't put a cease and desist on a school notebook.

However leaving it "live" for the period they did, people that care for the most part would have seen it.

Fan made items can be very damaging to a franchise, with barely any chance to improve its standing as some may think - "guilty by association" is a phrase that springs to mind. If something is bad enough it can taint the opinion of the source material.

If you drew a self portrait, and then your friend (i.e. fan) drew a dick on its head - it would taint the source material (you). On the other hand, if he smoothed the edges people wouldn't think any higher of it - its still a self portrait.

Of course, I'm speaking in general, there will undoubtedly be people indifferent to fan made articles.

At the end of the day it depends on potential market saturation as to whether something will provoke a wagging finger. Fame can be your own worst enemy in this regard.

This. Take the time to look up laws some time people, it's amazing what you learn when you read.

haha a friend totally did it, but he drew one on the head of a realistic horse I made. The Dongacorn was so hilarious that I instantly forgave him though...

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Nintendo just FAILED big style! This is a bad move, someone like valve would supported this big style.

Nintendo should have been flattered that a bunch of people would even care to make that much effort for a something they don't own nor will make any money off of, I certainly would be.

Are nintendo and their legal department one entity, just doesn't strike as something Shigeru Miyamoto would have banned.

I don't think Valve would have supported the profiteering of their intellectual properties, which while the original work of this was non profit, apparently they tried to profit from DVD and download sales.

 

[Trivun]

Hmmmmm, haven't Nintendo ever heard of Fair Use? It's not for profit and was done by people who care about Nintendo and their work, and watched by similar people. Nintendo are just screwing people over because they can.

 

[Kud]

Damn, I would have liked to see a zelda movie...

 

[Qujibo]

WOW. Anyone got a torrent? Looks epic and well done.

 

[PunchClockVillain]

Does anyone know if people on the Escapist, like "There Will Be Brawl" get licenses to characters, if they do?

Wow, awful lot of work went into that film.

Now heres a question, why can they pull the plug on real works of art like this, yet not pull the plug on all the Zelda porn that floats around the internet?
Seems weird

But then the lawyers wouldn't have anything to do in their spare time

 

[Lord_Seth]

Hmmmmm, haven't Nintendo ever heard of Fair Use? It's not for profit and was done by people who care about Nintendo and their work, and watched by similar people. Nintendo are just screwing people over because they can.

Just because something was not for profit does not mean it is allowed under Fair Use, and just because something is for profit does not mean it isn't protected by Fair Use (also factoring into the situation is, if there are profits involved, how the profits are being reaped). The definition of Fair Use is pretty murky (probably intentionally) so a lot really depends on the individual situation. Things like distribution and how much it takes from the original in either story or clips can really make a difference.

I don't think we necessarily know enough about the legal matters involved to really give a fair say as to whether fair use was in effect or not.

 

[TelHybrid]

Just yet more proof that Nintendo don't give a fuck about their fanbase.

 

[Flying Dagger]

I would never have watched this if it had not been censored... i find that ironic.

 

[Soxafloppin]

I feel sorry for the guys who made it.

 

[Flying Dagger]

to be honest, i reckon the lawyers made it sound worse then it would have been, they have to justify their huge salaries by looking busy.

 

[Leroy Frederick]

Nintendo just FAILED big style! This is a bad move, someone like valve would supported this big style.

Nintendo should have been flattered that a bunch of people would even care to make that much effort for a something they don't own nor will make any money off of, I certainly would be.

Are nintendo and their legal department one entity, just doesn't strike as something Shigeru Miyamoto would have banned.

I don't think Valve would have supported the profiteering of their intellectual properties, which while the original work of this was non profit, apparently they tried to profit from DVD and download sales.

Well that changes things a lot, however the article doesn't mention this revelation? (assuming it's true).

 

[Marsell]

Hey Nintendo, right here, buddy.

I commend those fans for working as long and hard as they did, though they should have seen Nintendo's wrath coming a mile away

first off, isnt copyright only apply when they're making money off it?

also, how did you get that image up?
I cant get any images up

 

[GuerrillaClock]

Oh, Nintendo's legal department furiously rugby tackles someone else to the floor in a fit of legal rage. I'm not entirely surprised, they do have an overzealous bunch of lawyers hanging around them.