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WizKids Official Internet Policy

WizKids has always encouraged fan-based websites and other Internet projects. We are, however, also obligated to protect our copyrights, trademarks, and intellectual property. To help fans create websites focused on our games, we are providing the following guidelines and rules. If you have any questions regarding how your website complies with this document, please contact [email protected]. Be sure to include your website URL so that we can check it out!

We understand that there are a lot of “cannots” in this document. These are necessary, however, because unless WizKids actively protects its copyrights and trademarks, we risk losing control of them. We will make every attempt to work with fans so that they can make their sites as exciting as possible!

Website Categories
WizKids categorizes websites three different ways: fan sites, commercial sites, and Internet press sites.

Fan sites are maintained, operated, and backed by a fan or group of fans. These can include forum-based sites, sites containing strategy articles, and sites featuring your own artwork. WizKids encourages these sites and will do what we can to help promote them.

Commercial websites are sites that receive compensation in any form. These can include banner ads, online stores, and so on. A site that a browser must pay to access is also considered a commercial website. If a site accepts donations, it is not commercial – as long as a viewer who does not donate has the same access as one who does.

Internet press sites have their own qualifications. Owners of these sites should contact WizKids if they have any questions regarding how their websites comply with this document.

What Website Operators Can and Cannot Do
Website operators can take pictures of any product they own and use it on their sites. This is called “fair use.” For example, if you want to take a photo of your favorite Draconum and put it on your website, you can do that. Also, any artwork related to WizKids games that you create yourself can be published on your website.

Neither fan nor commercial websites may use images or artwork from the WizKids website (wizkidsgames.com). These images and artwork are copyrighted and can be used only with permission – which we do not provide to fan or commercial websites. Taking these images and modifying them is also not allowed.

When providing links to WizKids rulebooks, ability cards, and/or frequently asked questions documents, we ask that the site operators link to the official WizKids Web page – not directly to the file. This enables browsers to access the most recent information. Please do not publish copies of rulebooks on your site; they are copyrighted documents.

WizKids cannot grant use of other company’s trademarks and copyrights, especially for licensed products. WizKids is obligated to inform the company holding the license if we find someone using their trademarks or copyrights in an inappropriate way. We are not, however, obligated to let you know if we inform the company – though we may, at our discretion.

All fan and commercial websites must also include the correct copyright and trademark information (found below) on each page that contains content related to WizKids’ property. When referencing specific characters, factions, teams, game terms, or game names, the appropriate ™ or ® should also be used.

What Fan Sites Can Do
Fan sites have access to digital versions of WizKids logos, including logos for our various games. These can be displayed on the site, as long as they are not modified and the trademark symbol (™ or ®) is visible.

WizKids is a family-friendly company. We require all fan sites to be family friendly as well. We encourage websites to try to maintain, at most, a “PG-13” feel to their website, with language and imagery that would be available during primetime network television broadcasts. This is just a rule of thumb, but in general, families should feel safe viewing the site.

What Commercial Sites Can Do
As stated above, a store/individual can take a photo of any stock he or she owns and use it on his or her website. Only approved commercial websites, however, may display WizKids logos and other trademarks/copyrights. How does one get his or her commercial website approved? The easiest way is to become an Approved Play venue (or already be one). If you are an Approved Play venue, you will have access to digital versions of our logos and some product pictures that you are allowed to use, with minimal changes (resizing, for example).

If you cannot become an Approved Play venue, you may ask permission to use this material by contacting [email protected]. Until you receive written permission from WizKids, your site is not considered approved, and cannot be used to display WizKids logos, trademarks, or copyrights.

Commercial Sites are also asked to hold to the same “PG-13” threshold as Fan Sites (above).

What About Software?
Software, including online software, is also split into the fan and commercial categories. Fan-based software (that is, “freeware”) is treated similarly to fan websites; however, it cannot use any trademarked WizKids logos, artwork, or icons. WizKids does not allow “online” versions of our games, including software that would be downloaded to a user’s computer to play.

WizKids does not allow anyone to sell software with WizKids game content without a license. We are not accepting requests for such licenses at this time. WizKids also strictly prohibits the selling of data associated with our games.

So what kind of software can you create? You can create a software package to help players track their collections or a tool to help players create armies. You will be required to provide this software for free. It cannot contain ads or requirements for donations.

Publishing “Custom” Rulebooks and Ability Cards WizKids does not allow any individual, group, or organization to create, design, or publish rulebooks, ability cards, or related material that uses WizKids game pieces or game mechanics.

Copyright Information
WizKids requires that all fan and commercial sites with ties to WizKids games contain the following information on every Web page that contains WizKids-related content. This information must be visible and legible to anyone visiting the site:

WizKids, LLC has sole ownership of the names, logos, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any other proprietary material used in connection with the game. WizKids, LLC has granted OWNER OF SITE permission to use such names, logos, and/or marks for promotional and informational purposes on the NAME OF SITE website, but it does not endorse and is not affiliated with the NAME OF SITE website in any official capacity whatsoever. All WizKids characters, names, logos, and distinctive likenesses are property of WizKids, LLC.
©2003 WizKids, LLC. All rights reserved. MechWarrior, BattleTech, BattleMech, ‘Mech, MW, Mage Knight, MK, Shadowrun, HeroClix, SportsClix, Creepy Freaks, Freak Out, and WizKids are trademarks of WizKids, LLC.

Removal of Permission
WizKids has the right to ask anyone to remove any content referencing our properties, even if the result is to deactivate your site. Please try to stay within the rules provided here. If you are concerned that something you are doing might violate those rules, contact the WizKids Web team at [email protected] with the URL of your site and the concerns you have.

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