Legalities of BoFA?

[Verm1s]

I know about GW's stance on mixing WH and LotR minis, but what about Battle of Five Armies minis? I'd assume it's the same, but I dunno.

[Grom]

Doubtful - since the BoFA figures aren't based on a film - so they're dealing straight with the Tolkein family, rather than through Newline.

[Baggers]

I think its covered by the same laws mainly becasue its is from a seperate company and not made drawn from material created by Games Workshop. Ask a red shirt though they could answer your question.

[Griefbringer]

I think its covered by the same laws

But that LotR/Warhammer non-micing policy is not caused by any particular law, but by a condition in a contract between GW and the film company. To see if there is a similar condition regarding the BoFA you would need to consult the contract - checking laws does not help.

And never trust a redshirt!

That said, which Warmaster ranges would mix well with BoFA models?

[Verm1s]

I was thinking of using some Mirkwood spiders as tyranid rippers (along with plastic & metal rippers, and milliasaurs - see trading forum). But I'm still a little confused...

[Baggers]

But that LotR/Warhammer non-micing policy is not caused by any particular law, but by a condition

And never trust a redshirt!

That said, which Warmaster ranges would mix well with BoFA models?

Ok so contract stipulation,

Also try pendragon minatures they do some good fill in models as well.

[Brandir]

From Rick Priestly:

... I'll have a go at putting this as straight-forwardy as I can - I'm not a legal expert but I did have to deal with all this when we started the LOTR thing:)

GW has a specific license with Tolkien Ents for The Hobbit. GW also has a license for LOTR - BUT - the two properties are separate. We are not allowed to mix the two - and if we were to do so that would be regarded as quite a bad thing by TE.

BOFA is our game for The Hobbit - so it can only include such things as are consistent with The Hobbit book.

If I ever get to do the next game in the series - Helms Deep say - that would be a separate game for LOTR. Both BOFA and HD would be 'Great Battles of Middle-Earth' but one for the Hobbit and one for LOTR. Until we have a LOTR game we cannot make miniatures for LOTR and we can't have LOTR army lists or anything...

[Bombot]

From Rick Priestly:

... I'll have a go at putting this as straight-forwardy as I can - I'm not a legal expert but I did have to deal with all this when we started the LOTR thing:)

GW has a specific license with Tolkien Ents for The Hobbit. GW also has a license for LOTR - BUT - the two properties are separate. We are not allowed to mix the two - and if we were to do so that would be regarded as quite a bad thing by TE.

BOFA is our game for The Hobbit - so it can only include such things as are consistent with The Hobbit book.

If I ever get to do the next game in the series - Helms Deep say - that would be a separate game for LOTR. Both BOFA and HD would be 'Great Battles of Middle-Earth' but one for the Hobbit and one for LOTR. Until we have a LOTR game we cannot make miniatures for LOTR and we can't have LOTR army lists or anything...

OK, so they can't do LOTR ormies for BoFA but I'd also like to know whether BOFA minis can 'legally' be used for Warmaster and Epic (for tournaments and such).

[A neutral shade of black.]

Brandir, when was that posted? Because last I checked, it's outdated. The contract between GW and the Tolkien Estate changed when GW got the rights to the books and not just the movies. Mixing GW and LotR models has been legal since; GW just still aren't allowed to use LotR pieces to publicise their other games (which concretely, means that they can't take photos of converted 40k/WFB/anything models using LotR pieces and vice-versa).

[Brandir]

GW can and do mix 'n' match LOTR stuff. It is material from The Hobbit that causes difficulties, which is what Rick Priestly's statement refers to. All I can say on The Hobbit license is that it is no as exhaustive as the LOTR license. Unlike the Hasbro/WotC Star Wars license, for example, the various Tolkien licenses out there are extremely complicated in terms of ownership and what the various rights-holders can do with them.

Things will be clearer in a few years as various rights that some hold expire and the Tolkien licenses become more useable and interchangeable.

[Voronwe[MQ]]

I was thinking of using some Mirkwood spiders as tyranid rippers (along with plastic & metal rippers, and milliasaurs - see trading forum). But I'm still a little confused...
That's a great idea. Hidden well enough it should work. I wish GW could support its Specialist Games as they deserves, and support BoFA as they do Epic and Warmaster.

Voronwe