The legality of using printed proxies for Magic: The Gathering cards is a common question among players. Wizards of the Coast (WotC), the creators of Magic: The Gathering, have made statements regarding this issue, clarifying their stance on the use of Mtg Print Proxies.
According to a statement from Wizards of the Coast, the elements of Magic: The Gathering cards, including mana symbols, the tap symbol, and the Magic: The Gathering logo, are proprietary. Furthermore, each individual card is protected by trademark and copyright laws, covering art elements and card backs. Reproducing card art and card faces is considered an infringement of their rights and is officially prohibited without express permission. This stance extends to even photocopying cards for personal use as proxies, which is also stated to violate their intellectual property rights.
Quote from Demonologo Uriel »
The mana symbols, tap symbol and Magic: the Gathering logo are all proprietary to Wizards of the Coast. Additionally, all individual cards are protected under trademark and copyright laws, including art elements and the card backs. Making reproductions of the art images and card faces of Magic cards is an infringement of our rights and is prohibited. The use of this art and images requires the express permission from Wizards of the Coast. Without this permission, scanning and posting and otherwise distributing these images violates the law. Even photocopying them to use as a “proxy” for personal use is illegal and violates our intellectual property rights.[/i] http://archive.wizards.com/Magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtgcom/feature/209
However, the practical implications for individual players creating proxies for personal, home use are different from the legal technicalities. Wizards of the Coast’s statement specifically mentions “scanning, posting, and otherwise distributing” images as violations, actions that could apply to websites hosting card images. Their claim that printing proxies for personal use “violates our intellectual property rights” is technically accurate, but pursuing legal action against individuals for home use proxies would be challenging and likely unproductive.
This situation is analogous to printing out a copyrighted photograph or artwork to display at home. While technically a copyright violation, the copyright holder would face significant difficulty in demonstrating damages and justifying legal action against an individual for such personal use. The cost for Wizards of the Coast to pursue a home proxy user legally would far outweigh any potential damages they could claim.
Therefore, while Wizards of the Coast maintains that creating MTG print proxies, even for personal use, infringes on their intellectual property rights, the likelihood of facing legal repercussions for making proxies for personal, non-commercial use is extremely low. Concerns about legal trouble for home use proxies or even for using them in unsanctioned events are generally misinformed. The focus of Wizards of the Coast’s legal protection is more likely directed towards large-scale commercial infringement and distribution of their copyrighted materials.
