Using the ED logo in your Streamer Logo?

[Captain V]

[UPDATE]
I've gotten in touch with someone at Frontier development, and was told that using Elite dangerous assets and other Frontier development assets in your logo and branding is totally fine, so long as you're not using it for commercial purposes, as in selling T-shirts or mugs with their IP on it, and especially okay if you are showcasing one of their games.

So it's fair game so long as you're not profiting off the logo/branding itself. Based on this, I'm going to be using this logo I made for the time being, being that streaming is just a hobby for me right now.

However, if somehow it becomes something more, then I will look into designing a brand new original logo.
[/UPDATE]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I like to make sure I'm not pushing any boundaries with this.

I've recently begun Livestreaming ED (and occasionally other games), and even though it's currently just for chat interaction and fun, I would like to see where it goes.

That being said, the current iteration of my logo (see Display Picture) includes the ED logo in the background. I'm currently working on a new one, and this one will include an edited but still rather similar version of the "wings".

Does FDev have any issue with this, or do they simply turn a blind eye to the issue? It's their IP, so I imagine that if they wanted, they could send a cease and desist, but would they? Would their stance change once a steamer using the logo began to make profit? Are the rules the same for YouTubers who make original content?

I'm curious about this as I'd much rather not step on any toes. I'm probably overthinking this, but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts/info on this.

 

[Arthur Shappey]

No idea, but it you are using somebody else's IP for personal gain - without permission - that does sound like stealing.

 

[Captain V]

No idea, but it you are using somebody else's IP for personal gain - without permission - that does sound like stealing.

And in a sense, you are right, but when it comes to using the logo as a display picture, there's got to be a gray area there. It's not like I'm printing out mugs and t-shirts with the logo on it, it's just my display picture with potentially a watermark over my stream.

Also, if I make significant modifications to the original logo, to the point where I guess it's still recognizable, but it's definitely significantly different, what are the legal boundaries there?

That's why I figured I'd ask here. I'm sure plenty of streamers do it anyway, but the kind of person I am, I'd rather not step on any toes, or at least say I asked.

 

[kofeyh]

And in a sense, you are right, but when it comes to using the logo as a display picture, there's got to be a gray area there. It's not like I'm printing out mugs and t-shirts with the logo on it, it's just my display picture with potentially a watermark over my stream.

Also, if I make significant modifications to the original logo, to the point where I guess it's still recognizable, but it's definitely significantly different, what are the legal boundaries there?

That's why I figured I'd ask here. I'm sure plenty of streamers do it anyway, but the kind of person I am, I'd rather not step on any toes, or at least say I asked.

There really shouldn't be a reason for you to need to use someone else's IP because it's handy; this isn't really a defensible thing. I stream elite as well, and have done for a long time; I've never used any of Frontier's assets for branding as there's no reasonable expectation for me to do so. It's not my brand. It's theirs. I respect that.

It's one thing to present the game as content; it's entirely different to appropriate their IP for brand identity (in short; imho, never do this, ever; Frontier may end up being cool with it, but it's not your IP to do with as you choose). You've got no rights over it, regardless, and it's just a really unsound area legally, let alone anything else.

So I'd suggest removing in the interim, simply from a good faith aspect; by all means follow up via support or something to officially request; but they do have registered trademarks IIRC so you could end up breaking one of those, even with the best of intentions. As part of trademarks, they may be forced to act on use and send a cease & desist, to protect it.

tl;dr - even with the best of intentions, this is a really bad idea; pulling the logo would be a wise precaution.

 

[seko]

It would only take a quick email to ask them, I don't think they will mind as it is promoting the game, but I imaging it is copywrited, but with it may come some terms and conditions, have done similar in the past (with work), had to sign a couple of forms and that was it

 

[kofeyh]

It would only take a quick email to ask them, I don't think they will mind as it is promoting the game, but I imaging it is copywrited, but with it may come some terms and conditions, have done similar in the past (with work), had to sign a couple of forms and that was it

This; there's no harm in asking, but it'll hurt the request if they discover it's already in use, as that is potentially an actionable thing. Yanking the logo imho would be rather wise. It's not something that could then be reliably used for anything in future, anyway, from a brand identity perspective.

It's one thing to request to use assets, another to appropriate as a brand. Doubly so without permission.

 

[Macros Black]

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/5349-Elite-Dangerous-Media-Usage-Rules

 

[Captain V]

This; there's no harm in asking, but it'll hurt the request if they discover it's already in use, as that is potentially an actionable thing. Yanking the logo imho would be rather wise. It's not something that could then be reliably used for anything in future, anyway, from a brand identity perspective.

It's one thing to request to use assets, another to appropriate as a brand. Doubly so without permission.

That's a good point. Whenever I get the chance, I'll pull all my DPs and shoot them an email.

Dammit, I have a few hours invested in this new version, and the thought of scraping it sucks, but that's why I figured I'd ask here before anything happens.

Thanks all, I will try to follow up with FDev's response, for the sake of archiving this thread for future use.

 

[Winterwalker]

You can use them .. you just have to declare they're not yours. If you're intending to make money then you do need express permission, as laid out here; https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/5349-Elite-Dangerous-Media-Usage-Rules

For non-commercial you're allowed but are required to add the following, in a prominent position on your channel;
© Yourname. This website was created using assets and imagery from Elite Dangerous, with the permission of Frontier Developments plc, for non-commercial purposes. It is not endorsed by nor reflects the views or opinions of Frontier Developments and no employee of Frontier Developments was involved in the making of it.
(details of that are in the usage rules above)

You don't need their express permission then but you can if you like, work up a closer affiliation (acting more directly as advertising); https://www.frontierstore.net/become-an-affiliate/

And here are some extra assets; http://edassets.org/#/

 

[Captain V]

You can use them .. you just have to declare they're not yours. If you're intending to make money then you do need express permission, as laid out here; https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/5349-Elite-Dangerous-Media-Usage-Rules

For non-commercial you're allowed but are required to add the following, in a prominent position on your channel;
© Yourname. This website was created using assets and imagery from Elite Dangerous, with the permission of Frontier Developments plc, for non-commercial purposes. It is not endorsed by nor reflects the views or opinions of Frontier Developments and no employee of Frontier Developments was involved in the making of it.
(details of that are in the usage rules above)

You don't need their express permission then but you can if you like, work up a closer affiliation (acting more directly as advertising); https://www.frontierstore.net/become-an-affiliate/

And here are some extra assets; http://edassets.org/#/

I think I'll forgo all the legal lingo and create my own logo, but thank you for that info!

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/5349-Elite-Dangerous-Media-Usage-Rules

Thank you very much. Looks like I'll be doing some serious rebranding when I get back to my PC.

Well, good excuse to get creative and create something original!

Thanks all, I suppose this thread can be locked now, considering that link had everything I needed to know from it.

 

[Captain V]

Sorry for the double post, but I've altered my branding to not include any FDev IPs and only using basic font (Besides In-game screenshots which I imagine are outside of the umbrella of IP).

This is a temporary fix until I design an original logo of a bit more creative nature. My branding had been altered on Twitter, YouTube and Twitch, including here.

Thank you all for the responses, glad I could get in the clear with all involved.

o7

[UPDATE]
I've gotten in touch with someone at Frontier development, and was told that using Elite dangerous assets and other Frontier development assets in your logo and branding is totally fine, so long as you're not using it for commercial purposes, as in selling T-shirts or mugs with their IP on it, and especially okay if you are showcasing one of their games.

So it's fair game so long as you're not profiting off the logo/branding itself. Based on this, I'm going to be using this logo I made for the time being, being that streaming is just a hobby for me right now.

However, if somehow it becomes something more, then I will look into designing a brand new original logo.

I will add this information to the OP for anybody reading this for archival purposes.