Basil Barrett wrote:Errr, slow down a bit here boys Nobody's said that this project or something very much like it won't go ahead - well not me anyway - it's just that I've been out of the loop a long time and apart from some initial discussions with Ian (that ended in a lost contact only just re-established) had no real idea of what and when was even being discussed. As soon as I can grab some time I'll talk through some possible ways forward with Ian and we'll see what can be done.I can't possibly even read, let alone reply to, all of the individual points, questions and bullshit that has been raised on this. Can I just say that all of the authors of the TS! articles/scenarios/solos etc. are known to me personally in the event of permissions being required - there's only one written contribution that I think might pose a problem with tracing author. The CDM series is not currently under discussion (athough Allen and Judith are both also aware that the idea has been discussed).Be patient guys, I have to feed my kids, teach my dance lessons, spend time with my partner before I shuffle off to oblivion.... Making vasts piles of cash is hardly my highest priority or TS! would never have been published in the way that we chose to do it. Isn't it enough to know that we're still alive???
mbassoc2003 wrote:The games industry has been stagnent in the UK for more than a decade now, with practically zero emerging tallent.
Badmike wrote:And to head off your next questions, if every single fanzine for RPGs ever published were available tomorrow on a disc for $1 one day only, yes I would buy one.
Badmike wrote:Except your point is a meaningless utopian fantasy. The law already had a chance to do that, and they didn't, ON PURPOSE. They don't CARE if the property is being used, developed, or sold. All they care about is extending the copyright another few generations to benefit megabucks corps like Disney, Conde Nast, and others.
I mean, do you REALLY know we got all the permissions necessary to publish Tim Kask's stuff? Did we really ever speak to Peter Kerestan? Maybe Steve Winter doesn't know we stuck his 2010 adventures up for sale. Trusting us at this point would seem to be a really risky endeavor.
'd much rather have supporters than speculators buying our stuff, keep your money.
Mars wrote:You spout out bleeding heart nonsense for the little guy but then if it came down to it for something you wanted (or could profit from), you'd stab him in the back. If such a product became available, of course it would breach copyright for thousands of people and you don't care.
mbassoc2003 wrote:One person's crime of copyright breach cannot be passed down the chain to the buyers, whether they knew or not.
mbassoc2003 wrote: I see no difference in Mike buying a $1 DVD knowing in all likelihood that people's copyrights would have been breached for him to get his DVD, and all the billions of AHs around the world who buy News International products or watch their TV, knowingly supporting his companies' criminal activities.
Mars wrote:Badmike wrote:And to head off your next questions, if every single fanzine for RPGs ever published were available tomorrow on a disc for $1 one day only, yes I would buy one. I know you would. You spout out bleeding heart nonsense for the little guy but then if it came down to it for something you wanted (or could profit from), you'd stab him in the back. If such a product became available, of course it would breach copyright for thousands of people and you don't care. No "catch", I just wanted to hear you say it loud and clear that you don't care about copyright laws. If there is only a slim chance of getting caught with minor consequences then you would do it - regardless of the law.
Badmike wrote:Except your point is a meaningless utopian fantasy. The law already had a chance to do that, and they didn't, ON PURPOSE. They don't CARE if the property is being used, developed, or sold. All they care about is extending the copyright another few generations to benefit megabucks corps like Disney, Conde Nast, and others.My uptopian fantasy is no worse than yours where "fans should dictate when and how a character is developed". Afterall they paid their $10 to see the movie or buy the book. I'm still not sure if your anger is directed at megacorps or just the US government or the US constitution. Megacorps are just doing what is logical for them to do - follow legal means to protect their interests. The us government lets them do it and the us constitution has facility to allow for it.
I mean, do you REALLY know we got all the permissions necessary to publish Tim Kask's stuff? Did we really ever speak to Peter Kerestan? Maybe Steve Winter doesn't know we stuck his 2010 adventures up for sale. Trusting us at this point would seem to be a really risky endeavor.Your right, trusting that NTRPG would do the right thing is a risky gamble. In 2 years, you have managed to completely ignore copyright by producing fake copies of Ghost Tower. You reproduce Wee Warriors items reported as being legitimate but then when Peter Kerestan finds out, he has no recollection of giving his permission and has to be "reminded of the agreement". I'm guessing that means there was no cheque mailed out for any compensation or he would have remembered that (so much for compensating the little guy). You did also get Morno's approval too right? And the increase in price from $10 to $20? What kind of price can you put on an instant collectible anyway right.
Ironic statement considering you make a living as a reseller. I'd much rather support the authors/artists of the work than a con with questionable ethics.
JasonZavoda wrote:Just my 2c here (along with another $4.98 in pennys in a sock ready to beat the crap out of somone).
Badmike wrote:Also, you should know if I found a treasure chest full of pirate gold in my backyard one day I'd probably keep it also without telling the authorities, that melted down gold could pay for a lot of years in college for my relatives and I really don't need the government taking a chunk.
I'm betting you won't rush out in a righteous rage and burn the copies you have should I admit here we didn't have the rights for anything we published.... ...but that would be a lie.
I'm shocked you dealt with us then, but hey, the lure of an item like a POTVQ or Dwarven Glory reprint (multiple copies, at that) was so great you were able to ignore your ethics for awhile, just admit it.
But personally, I don't see how you can ever be absolutely satisfied with buying anything reprinted without a twinge of guilt.
Meanwhile we'll continue to legally get hard to find collectibles into the hands of fans who cannot afford to pay the inflated prices the market demands.
stratochamp wrote:ah Jason, nothing like a bit of the old ultra violence to enliven and bring clarity to the discussion eh?
Mars wrote: I think everyone must have got in on DG because I still have an extra couple or two. If an Acaeum member is interested in any of these I usually just sell them at cost.
copycat wrote:I'd take one, at cost. I have none of the reprint stuff, figuring I'd rather spend the extra money (which is seemingly getting not that much more) for a true collectible (ie, original.)
Mars wrote: You spout out bleeding heart nonsense for the little guy but then if it came down...
Mars wrote:I think the both the hooker and her pimp can be charged
Mars wrote:You are absolutely right. You can't police everything, but you try and take a stance for the things that you care about. Its why on the Acaeum we have a thread to report people selling illegal PDFs on Ebay, etc.
Mars wrote:Badmike wrote:Also, you should know if I found a treasure chest full of pirate gold in my backyard one day I'd probably keep it also without telling the authorities, that melted down gold could pay for a lot of years in college for my relatives and I really don't need the government taking a chunk.The descendants of the pirate's family have a moral and ethical right to that gold. They are the ones that have suffered and had to live with the disgrace of their ancestor.
Meanwhile we'll continue to legally get hard to find collectibles into the hands of fans who cannot afford to pay the inflated prices the market demands.In terms of old small press items, I'll bet that I am still way ahead in the number of copies I've found, sold cheaper than "market value" (i.e. significantly cheaper than the copies I have bought for my collection) and put in the hands of fans and collectors.