Selling Maps like Clipart as Publisher Resource??

[Gamerprinter]

I don't have an online link, but I do have a clipart collection that contains such a license that I would use to include in such a product.

Ideally only the smallest publishers (those who can't afford cartography) would be the kind of customers for this kind of product. Since the maps aren't named or labeled, generic type maps would probably not 'compete' with another publisher using the same map. I think only encounter scale maps would be usable, or a village/town map, but regionals and world maps would not work as those are too setting specific. But, yes, a very good chance that several publishers would be using your maps in varying products at the same time, but such is the nature of shared clipart.

[Rasyr]

First off, I want to point out that I am not, and have never been any sort of owner of ICE. I was, however, an employee of Mjolnir, LLC which dba ICE for a number of years until recently (John Seal is and has been the owner since he purchased it from the bankruptcy court - his brother-in-law is essentially running ICE now).

As for the "Clip Map" idea - yes, I suggested it, but I cannot take credit for it. I have seen maps for sale on RPGNow for a while, and of course there is clip art for sale on there as well.

Usage rights -- Basically what you are doing is selling usage rights to the maps, not actually selling copyright ownership to them. As part of the usage rights, you can require the publisher to include proper credits to you, including links (I know that I would be happy to include such). You can even include usage limits (i.e. not used in mass printing of 100 units or more, thus allowing the little guys who use POD services to use the maps, but requires the larger companies to negotiate for separate rights.

If a person exceeds or mis-uses your maps, you then have the same options and recourses as if you sold the work to a publisher and they didn't pay you what you were owed.

The publishers, purchasing such maps, would obviously know that since this is a "Clip Map", that other companies could also be using it. Personally, I have no problems with that. And each publisher would make his own decision in that regards.

For example, if I purchased a tavern map, one that required me to NOT print the map at miniature-usage scale, but to instead point to your own version of the map (that could be printed out at a scale to be used with minis), then that would benefit both of us. Me by having a map to include in products, and you because that map can push sales to your own version of that map. Personally, I think it is a win-win for all involved.

As for clip art licenses here is one from Avalon Games

Usage Requirements/Limitations

You may reduce, recolor, or crop any image included here. You may not resell these images in clip art packages or art collections.

If you include any of these images, in your product, you must include the statement:

Some artwork copyrighted by Robert Hemmiger, used with permission

By purchasing this product, you agree to these terms.

And here is another

All artwork in this collection was created by Joseph Wigfield.

Permission is granted to use these pictures under the following conditions:
• They may be used in any publication - commercial or non-commercial.
• You may not include any of this artwork in another collection of clip art.
• You may color or modify any of these pictures, but you must include the authors name in each piece.
• If you include any of these pictures in a publication, you must include a line in your copyright notice that states
“Some artwork in this book is ©2007 Reality Deviant Publications, used with permission.”
©2007 Reality Deviant Publications.