Hi guys Am in the process of developing an online soccer game, but I am unsure how to get the information im lookin for so wondered if anyone on here can help. I just wondered if I am allowed to use original team names in my game ? Original player names ? Badges/stadium names ? If not any ideas how you go about this ? I would have thought using team names would be ok, but as for the rest im not sure. Any help appreciated Usme

Quote: Original post by usearchme
I just wondered if I am allowed to use original team names in my game ? Original player names ? Badges/stadium names ?

By "original," do you mean those associated with real-world teams? If so, they are registered trademarks and you will need to license them from the franchises. The stadium names, too - they're all protected intellectual property.

http://www.sloperama.com/advice/faq61.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson39.htm

Quote: Original post by usearchme
I just wondered if I am allowed to use original team names in my game ?

No. *

Quote: Original player names ?

No. *

Quote: Badges/stadium names ?

No. *

Quote: If not any ideas how you go about this ?

Don't do it. *


* unless you are able to obtain a license/permission, which is not very likely to be frank

However, you are able to use approximations. So, you could use Newcastle instead of Newcastle United. The former is just the city name and is used like that in a number of non-EA games. EA have exclusive license for a lot of football leagues.

Hi guys

Yes I was refering to real team names man utd etc

Thanks for the replys, i had no idea it was so complex, as there are so many online games with the real players in and real teams, im pretty sure most of them arnt licenced, which is a bit naughty of them

This info was v hard to find too so many thanks, I even emailed the FA who promptly ignored my email, probs thinking im mad or something.

What about if i change the spelling of the names ? would that make it ok ? Or changed the ending of the team ?

Melchester Utd
Arsunal
Wigan Utd

Im guessing its fine, so long as i dont use the real name is that correct ?

Usme

When in doubt, consult a lawyer, not GameDev.net. "But GameDev told me so" does not hold up in court.

Historically, that's been done in Pro Evolution Soccer. They had Giggs as Greggs, for example. With the team names they usually went a step further though - West London White was Fulham, Trad Bricks for Man Utd. As long as it's sufficiently different, you should be ok.

Hi there

Yeah true, Ive got pro evolution, Ill have a nosey on there to see how they have done it.

Usme

It seems they have just used city names, which kinda makes sense !

Usme