Handmade Mother Goose, now submitted...

ck

An interactive children's book, with narration and animation. Have a preview here -

http://www.handmademothergoose.com

Feedback welcome, as Timo Maas would say.

QuinnZoneStudios

Looks wonderful. Will there be a link to the app from the web site page? That would be great as well as some app shots and maybe even a short video?
Always have a soft spot for Mother Goose Stories as I worked on a show featuring those many years ago.
Hope it does well.
Good luck with it

NesesitaGames

Very nice! Lovely artwork.

ck

Thanks y'all - here's hoping.

design219

That looks cool as all get out.

tenrdrmer

I think the book looks very cool but I have a question. Is there no issue with using those stories. are they not copyrighted?

ck

They're out of copyright and in the public domain. Much pre-1923 material is public domain, but you have to thoroughly research each item, assuming nothing. For example, Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit stories are technically out of copyright, but her publishers have trademarked each character. The Disney people lobbied hard for changes to international copyright law to keep Mickey Mouse protected. The song "Happy Birthday to You" is still in copyright. Etc. It's a minefield.

old_kipper

Good work CK. Hope it goes well for you.

On the subject of copyright I am sure you know exactly what you are doing with image usage and copyright, but for others I would say... Do check your clearances... I know of a animation company that made a successful film with a tune that was not cleared, and when the owner of the copyright found out they had the animation company over a barrel. Not only did compensation far greater than the cost of licensing the music have to be paid, but because the copyright owner was so offended that they insisted that thousands of copies of dvds were recalled, destroyed, and that the tune was replaced.

It is often surprisingly easy to get the rights to use material from smaller holders, so ask before. Otherwise commission or generate for yourself, or look carefully at creative commons, but do check the usage licence. It may well save you a real headache.

The easiest money I ever made was when someone used my illustrations on a clothing range without asking. A quick call to a lawyer and they got stuck in, and rather than withdraw several thousands of pairs of pyjamas the company paid out. It was a good Christmas.

And remember- with the onset of image and music recognition searching it will be far easier for copyright owners to find infringements. Pretty soon a logo, photo, illustration or tune will be found by Google's webcrawlers and an email from vigilant copyright owners can be expected. You would not want your game copied or stolen so give the same respect to others.

kipper

p.s as I understand it, CK's work though based on out of copyright material, he has changed it so he has copyright in all his images (and good on him!).

ck

Cheers, old kipper. Indeed, you have to be careful. Midway through the app I realized two of the background images I was using were protected. Had to strip them out, lest I'd be buying a designer Christmas goodies.

The main sticking point people encounter is when they cheaply license graphics, usually off the web, but have not read the agreement over DIGITAL rights. Often you think you have a license, when you don't.

old_kipper

Cheer CK, and by the way... you seem to have had a very interesting career.

Kipper

ck

Thanks, OK. Yes, all those CKs in Google are me. A bit of a mixed bag of tricks.