: Can you reprint screen shots of a game application or program without permission? It seems pretty normal to see screenshots of MS Word, steps for "this is how you generate a template". I

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Depends highly on the use.

If you were for example to make a story book and just use diablo screenshots as illustrations, that would (probably) not be considered fair use even if it is transformative. Neither would it be if you would just publish an outright art book by using the game assets as they are.

If you were making a book about the history of gaming in general, you do not need permissions to use screenshots. For this there is plenty of precedent and it is generally accepted practice, much the same that if you're making a documentary about 80's action movies you don't need permission to show the terminator 2 poster in context in the documentary.

However, it would be better for you if you took the screenshots yourself as that can put in another entity into the copyright chain. In other words you can't just copy the screenshots from a book containing all the nintendo games ever published and put them in your book about all the nintendo and sega games published.

Even including long stretches of video from a game even in a highly critical piece just badmouthing the game for 15 minutes is fair use(jim sterling vs. digital homicide, although that lawsuit wasn't just about the video I think they tried to claim copyright over it as well along the way).

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The copyright information included with the game itself should tell you the answer to this. They will set out the parameters of what you can and can't do.

My hunch would be that a specific screenshot of a game in action, created by yourself, would be considered 'an original creative work' and would therefore not be restricted by the game publishers copyright rules.

However, you would really need to consult a lawyer specialising in copyright to know what you can and cannot do legally.

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There are four factors to determining Fair Use of copyrighted material that must be weighed in the balance:

Purpose and character of use...better if not for profit; better if transforming in some way
The nature of the work...factual is better, creative works less so
The amount and substance of the work...less is better; uses that don't get at "the heart of the work" are better. There are no rules about percentages, etc, despite myths to the contrary.
The effect of the use on market value...if it doesn't take away from real or potential profit, better

Depending on the nature of the book you are writing, you are probably quite safe using screenshots. You are likely writing something that will stimulate sales and that isn't going to reveal workings of the game that are protected.

Your publisher should have experience with this and probably has a policy for when they ask permission. Unfortunately, many people and organizations don't understand Fair Use and err too far on the side of caution, ceding rights they don't actually have to.

I teach about Fair Use regularly; you can find more information here: iteachu.uaf.edu/develop-courses/constructing-a-course/copyright/

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There is a legal consideration concerning using part of one copyright work in another. The rules around it involve the quantity of material copied and the purpose for which it used.

However in your case there may be an over-riding consideration. If Blizzard Entertainment took exception to your use of material from Diablo II, would it harm the market for your book?

If there could be a negative impact from not seeking approval, then ask, whether or not you are strictly required to by law.

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