M1 A1 A2 Tanker wrote:

Well, received emails back from Tamiya, Revell and Dragon. Tamiya=yes, Dragon= they don't recommend it but not an out right no. And finally Revell=No. Find it interesting that the 2 companies I contacted not in the USA. Either gave permission or did not deny it. While the company based here say "NO."

Of the companies that say "yes",  I would get a legal agreement that says they give you authorizaiton to do what you are doing, even if it is for non-profit.  In the legal world, lawyers come and go..and if someone says yes, the next guy may say no. If you have nothing in writting, then look out... 

There many sites that have posted kit instructions, again most seem to be of japanese kits.

As for having another modeling forum, I think we already got too many.

Plus, forums seem to be dieing out as blogs, etc seem to take over now.

All the forums I visit showed a huge drop in participation over the last few years.

Thats an odd thing.  Because I know of one site inparticulr www.1999.co.jp that sells kits, and they have photos of the box, photos of the parts in the bag, photos of finished products, and photos of the entire direction set.  This is for everything from Tanks to Gundams.  Its the site I use when I need to see if something will fit for a hack job, or to see if a kit is built well.

On the slightly same but different topic, me and two friends are trying to start a modeling site/forum of our own, but the guy whos geting the server seems to not be doing his job O.o

Well, received emails back from Tamiya, Revell and Dragon. Tamiya=yes, Dragon= they don't recommend it but not an out right no. And finally Revell=No.

Find it interesting that the 2 companies I contacted not in the USA. Either gave permission or did not deny it. While the company based here say "NO."

comments anyone?

Scott

 P.S. I think I will be doing this anyway as some research has shown that under the US copyright "fair use doctrine" I would not be violating Revell's copyright. As the purpose of the site would be for information (i.e research) not profit.

IMO you should make it as simple as possible for "the spelling challenged" such as myself...something like...lost_the_instructions.com  or need_instructions.com  kit_instructions.com  something of that sort?!?!

Ok. And your would be.

SmartGuy.com

wiseguy.com

ect...

LOL

Next time I put the "serious replies only, please."  in the post!

Again LOL LOL LOL

Scott 

Instroogle.com?

Yahstructions.com?

Hey

     Guys

           Got an answer from Tamiya. No problem by them. And I spoke with Bob who runs the web site Hans suggested. He is very nice and informative, he covers himself with a disclaimer. So I think it is ago. I'll wait for a reply from Revell and/or Dragon before I commit to it though. Thanks Again.

Scott

Good point. Doesn't give out has email. So joined his Yahoo group instead.

Thanks Again

Scott

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I have sent emails to Tamiya, Dragon and Revell. Still working on others.

Thanks Hans.. I found that site to but it seems to have mostly car kits. So I thought I might concentrate more on military models. Although, I will not limit my site in anyway overall.

Thanks Again

Scott

Might wanna ask this guy...

http://www.thedpmcc.com/instructionsintro.html

I'd go with Scaclemodelinstructions, because you are sure to get people looking for intrsuctions on becoming a model. I have had calls from women asking how to participate in our model contest in the past.

I'm with Doog on the copyright issue as well. You could get all this stuff up there and Tamiya or Dragon or anyone could hit you with a cease and desist order with the threat of lawsuit tied to it. While it's usually better to beg forgiveness that permission, this might not be one of them.

Scott, I like "modelinstructions.com"--simple, descriptive, direct.

A couple things though--can you legally past up instructions on a domain, without clearing the publishing rights through the companies? You'd better check if the trademark/copyright laws govern that before you wind up putting a ot of time into something that might have to be taken down, or worse--invoke a paid fee from you for a violation?

Just brought that up, cuz as a musician with all kinds of things in the public domain I know there are issues that pop up...