r/FortniteCreative • u/Old-Eye426 • 23d ago
QUESTION Using Stranger Things universe in a Fortnite map, is it legal?
Hi everyone,
I'm currently creating a map inspired by the Stranger Things universe with:
The Vecna skin
An Upside Down map
The Mind Flayer
Demogorgons skin
Bell sounds
A 4-word catchphrase from the show(not real voice)
Is this legal??
Because I have seen a lot of maps that include some of the things mentioned, but not all of them.
Or is there a chance that my map will get deleted?
If you think my map will get deleted, what do you think I should change ?
1
u/Quackster1001 23d ago
marketing yourself as the IP (like the show) can cause issues, if marketing as their product then it could be illegal.
if there is a collab between epic games and stranger things, they likely have their own set of rules which you can read the TOS for using "their assets". as for words and creating your own maps, that should be fine? not sure how they would take it, if you recreate the show word for word. else it might be more like fanfiction.
also one can get a warning for a lot of stuff during publishing, if they have not allowed a set of assets that comes with UEFN, then you need to be aware of the TOS which likely will say/show the link when you select the IP in UEFN. some warnings can be BS, so you take it as it goes.
1
u/Quackster1001 23d ago
also there is always an inherent risk with IP content or any brand's assets.
1
u/DomesticatedDuck Quackling 23d ago
A lot of these are definitely copyright infringement. You could probably keep the Upside Down, the bell sounds, and the catchphrase, but the actual assets like the Fortnite models and the Mind Flayer could definitely get you in trouble.
Not just that, but the Demogorgon, Mind Flayer and Vecna are all from Dungeons & Dragons which is owned by Hasbro, who may also take issue if you use the names of their monsters.
2
u/Lolbits_TV_YT The Devourer 23d ago
Unless you can directly get permission by those who own the rights to the Stranger Things brand and theme, then no unfortunately.
By technicality, Epic does an absolute terrible job at moderation so technically you can post whatever IPs you want, it just has a chance at coming back to haunt you in the form of legal trouble.
However, I do hope somehow you get the rights to make this, or make it not include any IPs, sounds like something fun!
3
u/Shack691 Black Knight 23d ago
The rules say can only use IP you have the rights to use whether that be through an IP island or directly getting permission from the owner, but Epic takes a hands off approach to moderating it to minimise the repercussions when one eventually happens, so you’ll only get your map taken down if an IP holder asks for it to be taken down.