Hi,

I would like to make a racing game where some kind of aircraft is flying at low altitude above the ground.
A large part of the racing track will be between rocks and in canyons etc. The other part will be in a modern city.

Would I get into Copyright problems doing this? Because the Pod race in StarWars Episode I also includes a racing scene where
aircrafts are flying at low altitude. And they also fly in canyons and between rocks. I have no plans to copy anything. I will create
my own aircraft and my own racing track which will have a lot of items that the Pod race does not have. Also I will include
game elements like shooting that is not included in the Pod race.

There is also a Sony game where aircraft are flying at low altitude over some highway that runs through a modern city. Will I get
Copyright problems with that?

I will include gaming elements like shooting and special flying skill scenes (like flying through holes) which are not included in the
StarWars or Sony examples. I will create my own aircraft and my own racing tracks etc.

Again, it is not my goal to copy anything. It just happens that flying at low altitude in a city and in canyons already has been done.

Do I have to be worried about that?
What can I do and what can I not do in the case?
If I get sued, is it possible to change some scenes and try again?

Any advise and help is welcome.

I would like to make a racing game where some kind of aircraft is flying at low altitude ...
Would I get into Copyright problems doing this? Because the Pod race in StarWars Episode I also includes a racing scene where
aircrafts are flying at low altitude.

Nobody owns a copyright, trademark, or patent for "low-altitude flying sequences." That's much too broad and not protectable (meaning, nobody can own/protect "low-altitude flying sequences").

Nobody owns a copyright, trademark, or patent for "low-altitude flying sequences." That's much too broad and not protectable (meaning, nobody can own/protect "low-altitude flying sequences").

Thanks. I can immagine that low-altitude flying is not protectable.
But what if my aricrafts are flying in canyons and between rocks. Like they are in the Starwars film. And what if my aircrafts are flying in a modern city like they do in the Sony game?

Thanks. I can immagine that low-altitude flying is not protectable.
But what if my aricrafts are flying in canyons and between rocks. Like they are in the Starwars film. And what if my aircrafts are flying in a modern city like they do in the Sony game?

Airplanes of your own creation carrying weapons of your own creation over a city of your own creation are all just fine.

Existing airplanes (e.g. B-29 Bomber) or existing weapons (e.g. FIM-92 Stinger) or recognizable city skylines (e.g. New York City skyline) or landmark buildings (e.g. the Capitol Records Building) are all subject to a bunch of protection. Don't use them, and don't make anything that looks similar to existing real-world items. Don't use similar names. Don't use similar images. Be original and create your own stuff.

If they want to use something specific then game companies will license the rights to use the objects. For example, in the Need for Speed series EA doesn't just make models of Ferrari's and other sports cars without permission; they have licenses with the major car companies to use their vehicles appearance, names, and statistics.