Do Roleplay Topics and Characters Come with Copyrights?
Roleplaying has become a popular form of entertainment, with numerous players choosing to create and share their experiences. However, questions often arise regarding the copyright protection of roleplay topics and characters. This article aims to clarify these concerns and provide insights into the legal landscape of roleplaying and copyright laws.
Copyright Protection for Roleplay Topics
Roleplay topics generally do not come with copyright protection. These topics are considered too generic and non-protectable under copyright law. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including artistic, literary, and musical works. A simple list of topics falls under this category, and individual topics alone cannot be copyrighted. However, a creative presentation of a topic list, such as organizing it in a novel way or providing extensive details, could potentially be protected.
Copyrighting Characters in Published Works
Characters from published works, such as novels, movies, and video games, are usually copyrighted. The copyright belongs to the author, publisher, or creator of the original work. Players are generally allowed to use these characters in their games and for personal development, provided they do not use them for commercial purposes.
For example, if you use characters from a Dungeons and Dragons (DD) campaign, the characters themselves are copyrighted. Using these characters without permission for commercial purposes could be considered copyright infringement. However, players are allowed to develop their own plots and scenarios using these characters, as long as they do not profit from it.
Roleplay Stories and Derivative Works
Roleplay stories created by players, such as adventures or scenarios, generally do not come with copyright protection if they do not involve copyrighted characters, stories, or content. Even if you play through an official adventure and then modify it, the base content remains copyrighted. However, if you decide to turn your roleplay story into a book, play, or other commercial form, the original creators of the copyrighted elements should be credited, but the new work would likely be considered a derivative work.
If you create a storyline that is a significant departure from any copyrighted work and do not use any unauthorized copyrighted figures, you can share it freely. Still, it is better to include a thank you note for those who contributed to your roleplay session.
Example: Dungeons and Dragons (DD) Roleplay
In the context of DD 5e, all books, game rules, and adventures created by Wizards of the Coast are copyrighted. This includes the use of non-player characters (NPCs). Similarly, Paizo, the company behind Pathfinder, likely has a deal with Wizards of the Coast for using their game systems. This means that any characters and stories created using these systems are copyrighted material.
For instance, if you are creating a DD game and use Drizzt or other characters from the Forgotten Realms, these characters are copyrighted. You can, however, create your own original characters and storylines without infringing on anyone's copyright.
Legal Considerations
It is important to understand that while creators of original characters and stories have copyright protection, it is always advisable to seek legal advice if you are considering creating a profit from your roleplay content. Even if you do not profit from it, including copyrighted content in your work can still be considered copyright infringement.
As a disclaimer, I am not a lawyer, and this article is not intended as legal advice. For any questions regarding the legality of using copyrighted material in your roleplay content, consulting with an attorney is strongly recommended.