I think I'm going to try to build a high-quality World of Warcraft WindowBlinds...

You are considering it for yourself, but not going to bother unless others may wanto to use something like this. 

I'm just a little confused.

Wouldn't you run into some copyright issues,  that is if you put it out there for others to use?

Didn't mean it 'was' for myself.  Just meant for myself I would like one on my computer, but am not going to bother creating it for myself unless others would like to use it.  No copyrights as I will be creating all of the artwork myself, without using any of Blizzard's artwork as anything other than references.  It will give it's credits to Blizzard where necessary, of course and will never ever become a profitable adventure if I do put it into planning.

You CAN use Blizzard's graphics if you wish though. There are several nice tools out there to extract the blp files and convert to png. Blizzard has no problems with that as long as you don't profit and provide disclaimers.

I've got a wicked DesktopX WoW theme that I made from the graphics I pulled.

He should be fine if he does all the art himself (sorry for assuming that you are male if you aren't....no gender listed on your profile).

Here are 3 themes to look at (just to avoid building a blind that is too close to something already out there)

wowtheme

Warcraft 3

World_Of_WarCraft

Those are some nice looking themes.  It's unfortunate they're not updated to Win7.  I can see where it could save me a lot of effort by using their graphics.  Thanks a ton for the tip on pulling the images.  I can start with some of their basic textures and icons to give the whole thing an absolute World of Warcraft feel and then toss in where I can my own touch to it all (and yes, I'm a 'he', lol).

I'm sure this isn't going to all get tossed together in a few days or even few weeks, I'm going to start with some sketch plans and just fiddle here and there and learn my way through SkinStudio 7.  This would be my first skin ever, and I'm also considering going after a 100% Mac Snow Leopard clone as well since that is the professional look / feel I enjoy on my Linux distros.

This community is by far the best one on the entire internet, I've always enjoyed trolling around.  Filled with a class of people just not found many other places.

Here is Blizzard's Policy on use of content.

In a nutshell, as long as you do not attempt to profit from it, it is ok.

(full context is here: http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/legal-faq.html )

What is Blizzard Entertainment's® copyright/trademark policy for the Internet, specifically for fansites? Can I use Blizzard Entertainment's® images, text or sound on my web page? Is it ok if I use screenshots I take in-game on my web page?

Blizzard Entertainment® hereby grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable and non- assignable license to use and display, for home, noncommercial and personal use only, one copy of any material and/or software that you may download from this site, including, but not limited to, any files, codes, audio or images incorporated in or generated by the software (collectively the "Downloaded Content") provided, however, that you must include or maintain all copyright and other notices contained or associated with such Downloaded Content. You acknowledge and agree that you may not sublicense, assign or otherwise transfer this license or the Downloaded Content and that no title to the Downloaded Content has been or will be transferred to you from Blizzard Entertainment® or anyone else. You also agree that you will not alter, disassemble, decompile, reverse engineer or otherwise modify the Downloaded Content.

Also, we reserve the right to revoke this limited use license at any time, for any reason, and at the sole discretion of Blizzard Entertainment®. You may not use our materials on sites that feature defamatory pornographic, or inflammatory content, including, but not limited to, hacks and cheats for any of our games or any other content that Blizzard Entertainment® find objectionable or unlawful

You will also have to include the appropriate copyright notices that are shown here:

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/copyrightnotices.html

Now, for extraction of the graphics I use MyWarcraftStudio. Don't have the link but you can google it.

For converting the extracted images (which are in .blp file format) I use BLPLab which is available here:

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/tools.php

Hope all this info helps you and I look forward to seeing the finished work. Be warned. Creating a HIGH QUALITY Blind is going to wreck your time in Azeroth though. ..

Just to note...Blizzard's permissions re copyright won't necessarily flow on to these other people's skins.  If you wish to use their images you will need their permission too ...;)

Psychic powers again Jafo? Hair on back of neck raising for unbeknownst reasons?

There ain't too many threads that I don't catch up with....sooner or later....;)