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Legality of distributing an MTG Database

PostPosted: 06 May 2011, 05:45
by frwololo
Yes, it's once again one of those "is it legal?" threads.

Some of us got into trouble for distributing WotC copyrighted stuff.

I see a bunch of "Magic databases" here and there, I'm wondering if they are legal. I see nothing on the WotC website that says it is legal to distributea MTG Card database, especially for a profit. Not pointing fingers or anything, but how do applications such as the "sylvan archives" (an MTG Database on the iphone) survive WotC's legal hammer?

(I guess my question includes deck builders)

Re: Legality of distributing an MTG Database

PostPosted: 16 Jun 2014, 22:29
by sixit
[Returning target thread from the graveyard to the battlefield.]

This question, raised three years ago, just got an answer for the U.S.: YES.

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a decision on Authors Guild v. HathiTrust. In the decision, the court wrote: "the creation of a full‐text searchable database is a quintessentially transformative use." Translation: it's fair use and legal.

Unless SCOTUS reverses, this is the final say.

[Can't include link, but Google EFF and "authors guild v. hathitrust" ]

Re: Legality of distributing an MTG Database

PostPosted: 20 Jun 2014, 23:17
by Huggybaby