MetamorphosisSigma wrote:Millions? Ya think so?
MetamorphosisSigma wrote:What work?
PDF Pirate King wrote:You'll have to clarify what you mean by "pirated" here. Suppose the old owners of Beast Entz give their permission to create and sell a DVD (where they may or may not get a cut of the profits).It is clear that the company is defunct and the copyright of all stuff has reverted back to the original author/artist. In which case, now, not only are those who create the DVD profiting from someone else's work (who they do not have permission from) but also the old owners of Beast Entz are profiting from those people's work who they no long have permission to use. They are now the ones pirating others peoples work and profiting from it. Why should they?
FormCritic wrote:Aren't you taking a long stride in declaring the company defunct and reverting the ownership back to the original authors? If I don't publish anything for twenty years, does that automatically make my company defunct? Do I lose the right to everything? I doubt that.
FormCritic wrote:Electronic rights hadn't entered anyone's head at the time. There might be a technical argument about new types of media that did not exist when Tortured Souls was first printed. This would be an issue for any interested party to raise. It would be a ridiculous point to raise given the small nature of the proposed electronic distribution. Even this possibility does not make the electronic publication of the magazine a moral issue.
FormCritic wrote:There is a world of difference between what Ian is exploring and people who post unauthorized copies of copyrighted material on the internet.
FormCritic wrote:No individual is making millions in RPG publishing. It just isn't happening.
PDF Pirate King wrote: This depends on who you believe holds the copyright. If you believe that the owner of the old company still holds the rights then sure there is a difference. If you believe that the rights reverted back to the original authors/artists then not as much difference.
These guys are making millions off their work thanks to TSR. With full disclosure on who would own the rights of their works, they all signed their contracts and even accepted payment for their work while employees at TSR.Now, they are living off reputations (created while getting paid by TSR) that allow them to charge more for their work and get more work strictly because they worked for TSR. My heart bleeds for them.
PDF Pirate King wrote:I guess this is why NTRPG feels entitled to breach copyright and reprint whatever they want to help support the con. Can we expect some good items again this year to help defer the cost of the poster purchases? Maybe you can reproduce the posters.
FormCritic wrote:In the case of TSR and the module in the magazine, TSR would have every right to print it in another form.All of their author contracts were work for hire and full ownership went to TSR.
Badmike wrote: I'll talk to Doug and make sure you can't buy any yourself, I would hate you to compromise yourself in any way.
PDF Pirate King wrote:I'm sure this is true for TSR staff but I am thinking more on those individuals who mailed in items for TSR to use.
PDF Pirate King wrote:Thanks for the reminder, those ones are "by donation only"
Badmike wrote:Wow, now you're credibility is shot. You really think Rob, Tim and company made millions? Dude, you're batshit crazy. Is this exaggeration for effect, or are you serious?