Apparently, Games Workshop has copyright struck another 3D artist which raises even more questions about IP and 3D printing disputes!
We’ve seen a lot over the past year or so about IP, and how honestly, it’s very confusing. We’ve even seen other gaming companies that are not Games Workshop getting into the realm of disputes as well. So as technology progresses faster than regulations (and sometimes common sense even), things are starting to get strange out there.
Now it looks like another YouTuber has gotten hit with a takedown strike, this time for his 3d miniature designs.
Update at the time of writing Commissar Gamza’s video was up on YouTube, however, it seems that it has now been made private. That being said other folks already have recordings and we have screenshots of it for this story already too.
The latest dispute comes over some Necron-styled files, and it might be a good line for other creators and how close you can get before they raise more than an eyebrow at you. We’ll also take a look at the issues with modeling IP in general, and how you as a hobbyist can be responsible as well.
Games Workshop & 3D Printing is Very Confusing
The issue with 3D printing is that it directly competes with GW. Something like video games seems much more cut and dry, whereas minis are not so easy. If someone makes a direct copy of a video game (or close enough), there’s no way the company with the copyright can let it see the light of day.
However, sci-fi and fantasy miniatures have so much more gray areas. How can you say you own futuristic space soldiers? When someone makes a one-to-one copy, it’s obvious when they use elements that are specifically copyrighted or a registered trademark in general (what we know as Intellectual property).
But how does someone like Games Workshop say it’s too close if they do not?
Well, that’s why it’s so confusing. The article from Game Industry had a perfect quote for anyone looking to make something that could be thought of as infringement:
The bottom line is — if you create something that is not entirely original and uses third-party IP rights — without that party’s permission — you need to accept that there is a degree of risk in what you are doing.
Hopefully, this helps clear up where IP infringement actually starts for Games Workshop in regards to things like Warhammer plus, 3d printing, and everything in between. Now, let’s look at the latest dispute.
GW Cancels Another 3d Artist that Flew to Close to the Sun
Below is the file Commissar Gamza created and put right next to a Necron from GW in his latest video (which has now been private, but you can watch the breakdown and see all of the affected designs in the video above from Asmogan).
As you can see, he just added a cloak, made the head sculpt, and then removed all the iconography.
However, the overall look was apparently too similar to the Necron Immortal inset in the image from Games Workshop. Despite all the changes and differences, Commissar Gamza claims Games Workshop decided to strike the file.
As we said above, if you create any part of a file that takes a large part of the IP, chances are, GW just isn’t going to let it stand. A lot of times, if people rework the whole miniature theme and style or just make their own original designs, they will pass muster.
As again, how do you say you own space robots? Still, if you’re planning on getting into 3D printing, this particular example seems to be a clear line that is too close. You need to mix it up more than this to keep GW away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grw16IGDmAo
In the video, which has since been made private, Commissar Gamza attempts to differentiate between his file compared to GW’s designs. Plus, they bring up the good point that it is extremely expensive and time-consuming to actually try and keep your files once you receive a dispute from a company like Games Workshop
Now let’s look at being a responsible 3D printer as a hobbyist.
3d Printing Miniatures is Great (but don’t forget this)
A big discussion recently was about playing with fully printed armies at your store. This ignited quite the discussion about keeping your local store alive and if it’s okay or not.
So, this initial Facebook post got people talking about the issue. Basically, the OP was a little upset that he couldn’t play with a fully printed army. The store owner brings up a good point, if you are just trying to use the space without supporting the store, it’s not really fair to the owner.
As if you want to have an LGS, they need support, as we have shown you in the past games tables cost upwards of $100 a month in rent alone, meaning stores have to sell about three times that to break a profit just for that space!
As you can see here, they talk about the idea that running free tables is actually a direct loss for stores, and they are right, in a way. It brings people in, and you’d hope they would buy from you, but if you just 3D print everything, you really don’t spend money there. However, there is another option.
This is a great idea; if you want to run a tournament, pay for the space and make your own rules for a fully 3D printed tournament! Or, there is just another option.
Paying a small fee isn’t a big deal if you want to use the tables and all the terrain. Plus, this would let you bring any army you could want, and no one would complain as you’re paying for the space.
You have to think about it this way if you charged $110 a month for a table fee (this is actually to break even, not profit, we’ll show you below). Generally, stores have an average of a 30% profit, so, if they sold $330 worth of product (with overhead, replacement costs, and profit margin), it would only make them roughly $110. However, if they could rent out a table for $220 a month, it would be equivalent to selling that $330 worth of product with nothing to restock.
However, stores get nothing if you don’t spend any money in the store and don’t pay for table space.
Do you think the Commissar Gamza file was too close to Games Workshop IP? How do you think GW will deal with 3D printing as it grows?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, or our new Discord server, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today!
Get ad-free access to our hobby videos, a monthly drop of miniatures, and support some of the best creators out there for as little as $6 a month on Patreon!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
