copyright licensing
Are fictional races from a video game universe protected by copyright?
<p>For instance, the Warcraft Universe contains fictional races (various), such as the Orcs, Humans, Night Elves, Blood Elves, Tauren, etc. Are these races considered &quot;original works&quot; to fall under copyright law?</p>

<h2>Yes, but …</h2>
<p>Most fantasy races you named are part of long-standing folklore and any copyright the author had has long since expired. Orcs are from Germanic folklore, elves from Celtic, humans are, well, human and I don’t know what a Tauran is.</p>
<p>Now, the particular imagery and description applied to these races by Warcraft <strong>is</strong> covered by copyright. So generic orcs aren’t covered by copyright but orcs specific to Warcraft or Tolkien or Dungeons and Dragons are.</p>
