Gun licenses

#1 A lot of games just use the guns but use a different name (like counter-strike for example)

i'm not sure if you can use the real names or not tho

#2 From what I recall of various discussions about this topic over the years, you'd need to negotiate a deal with the various manufacturers if you plan on using the brand name. However, military designations are fine. Making up your own names is fine as well. The likenesses aren't covered, so make them as detailed as you want.

So. Colt 1911 would not be okay, but M1911A1 would be fine. Sig Sauer SG551 would not be okay, but SG551 is fine.

#3 I'm not saying that it is a very good thing to do, but sometimes there are legal ways to cirumvent laws/copyrights registered in other countries.

case in point: The Russian Downloadable music industry

Note: it's illegal for someone in the USA to purchase songs from AllOfMp3 for consumption in the USA. (it's meant for russians only, though the website doesnt stop anyone from purchasing)

#4 @Jason

It doesn't matter if it is legal in Russia, if you import and consume it in America (or any signatory to the Berne convention and TRIPS/WIPO convention) you are in breach of local laws.

What you are doing is called purchasing from the "Grey market". That is parallel importing. It isn't legal to import such material these days. The fact it come from a jurisdiction in which the material is not illegal is irrelevant as it attracts copyright once it crosses into the USA (or other coutry).

#5 @Nigel: that's my point when I said it's illegal to purchase for USA consumption.

My broader point related to the initial question is that a number of these weapons manufactuers are located in other countries which may not share copyright conventions with your country (USA in this case). One example off the top of my head is NeoStead's N2000. (it's a South-African company)

#6 I hope we dont need licences...my friend is making a weapon pack and he will have a hard time talking with Kalash-something to use that ak-47 and 74 and rpk...no interpreter.

#7 It depends. If the gun name is a trademark of the company, it can take legal action. However, they usually don't bother with it. One exception was in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, where the Colt Python and a few other weapons were required to have a name change in the second release because the gun companies threatened lawsuits. This is probably more a reaction toward the things people could do WITH the guns in the game, but your best bet would be to contact the gun manufacturers and get permission first.

#8 Seems like most game companies dont bother, so honestly i dont think you should worry about it. generally there isnt money in suing people over stuff like this, so if you get contacted by a company then remove the name

to clarify: the reason i think this is a valid course of action is that there is already a precidence. i'm not willy nilly trying to dodge the law, the law is generally built on caselaw and general usage precidence.

edit 2: i'm being an ugly american.. i should have added "in america"