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Hello

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boyben10:
Welcome

Mewtwo:
Thank you everyone for your warm welcomes.


--- Quote from: Gammal on April 06, 2010, 06:48:04 PM ---Hello and welcome to PU forums!
Yes we have heard about the recent events concerning nintendo and other pokemon MMO´s, but rest easy, such a fate will not befall PU.
We are using our own sprites, all pixel art are created by members of the PU team, and we will not be violating any copyright laws.

There is currently a pre beta up and running, and we are working on getting the client to work, there is also a ton of stuff currently being made for the game, brows the forums and check them out.
Stay active, be polite, have fun!

//Gammal - Master of Pokemon balance

--- End quote ---

Unfortunately, we weren't shut down due to violating copyright laws but rather trademark laws. We used custom made tiles for our maps and our trainer graphics were sprited by our members. We did use official pokemon sprites, but that didn't matter. The graphics didn't matter but we were using Nintendo's intellectual property (i.e Pokemon names, etc.). So, unfortunately, PU can still be shut down as all Pokemon MMORPGs are infringing on Nintendo's trademarks just by having Pokemon in their names. But hopefully Nintendo won't be shutting down all Pokemon MMORPGs.

marcopolonian:
Hi- wait, I don't need to introduce myself to you... never mind.

jflorence05:
Welcome to Pokemon-Universe! Check out the announcements, news, pre-beta information, and join us on IRC if you like! IRC information is located in my sig if you need assistance connecting.

Also, trademark & copyright laws differ in their level of enforcement per country. (See: ThePirateBay) Trademarks can only be enforced and upheld in US court based on whether or not the trademark in question is being used for commercial use and/or to confuse customers as to whether the product is endorsed or owned by the trademark company. (example: using the trademarked logo to intentionally insinuate the underlying content is created by the trademarked company). The disclaimer at the bottom of the page clearly indicates that this website, game, and users are in no way affiliated with the parent companies.

If trademarking allowed companies to shut down any website that placed the pokemon logo, there would be no fan pages, there would be no walkthrough/guide websites, no fan art, etc.

Nintendo cannot shut down anything related to Pokemon unless it falls under one of these categories:

- Copyright infringement (commercial use or personal gain)
- Patent infringement

Patent infringement is irrelevant in this case as there is no game software in use that was developed by Nintendo or any of their partners. There is no copyright infringement either, as the game will use custom sprites etc. A character name within a game/tv show cannot be trademarked or copyrighted, unless explicitly copied so there is no relative distinction between the original and the remake. (Hence why generic cereal like FRUIT RINGS can mimic FRUIT LOOPS).

I've taken many law classes regarding trademark and copyright, as well as studied under a law professor which takes into account everything I've previously stated.

Don't worry, the game won't be shutdown.

Pikachu:
Nice name :P

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