As an observer (I did read all of the posts and I am not a lawyer... not that it matters as 10 lawyers will give you 10 different opinions of the meaning of the law anyway <g>), I think the problem is that some people react to things that are said and do blow them all out of proportion. However, statements like "where the company is defunct and therefore has no representation" probably inflame those who read everything in black and white with no shades of grey allowed. I understood what you meant. Others might say that just because the company is defunct or the original copyright holder is dead, there could be another owner of the copyright. I'm thinking that in Command's case, for example, Ty would still actively protect his copyrights, no?
John Wayne is dead, but his family continues to very actively protect his image, films, whatever. Even the USPS had to deal with the family just to put his image on a stamp (which is another thing... don't get me started on that <g>... you would think that the honor of being on a stamp would be enough, but I guess there's something about not giving in on any copyright infringement that protects you when the time comes that you really need to protect something.) I'm thinking that if you really want to know, you could do some internet research and figure out if there is a holder of the copyright (and heir, a parent company, whatever). We (game buyers) probably need to educate the powers that be in the pluses that they will get out of allowing these kinds of game aids. Some will not be swayed. Yes, you and your friend can play anyway and nobody is really going to know, but I think what the owners are worried about is thousands of people playing that way and most of them not even buying one copy of the game (ie, copying the rules from someone else or even getting the rules off a website?) It used to be that the counters and map (which were not so easily mass-copied) were the most important parts of the game; electronically, that's been removed; all you need are the rules, which are very easy to copy and distribute.) Oh well... had some thoughts and just felt like "contributing". Regards, Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Battlegroup To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 12:36 AM Subject: RE: [CBML] Re: Copyright I think the misunderstanding here is some seem to think I am saying "I am going a commit plagiarism catch me if you can." I am not at all saying that. I am saying where the company is defunct and therefore has no representation IE. Nobody willing to or able to complain, and has abandoned copyrights or no longer enforces them. Then I'll play it for FUN including giving a download link to a friend even if he doesn't own the game. You may insist that's illegal it may be but as there is no victim IM going to do it. If there was a victim then that victim will step forward. IN creating game and game products for sale I have a policy that I have based off of advice from peers and confirmed by a lawyer concerning my IP and my artwork. If you think a company's products are not original and in fact your property. Then PROOVE IT in court of law. The problem is these folks that advocate and/or conduct vigilantism, and other things like physical assault on a person, with the excuse they cannot afford legal representation. I know it's expensive. Nonetheless making accusations of plagiarism and theft, or attacking somebody is not LEGAL. Without PROOF and presenting a case in a court of law, calling a company or person(s) thieves and plagiarists is LIABLE, regardless of how much you think you know of the laws. You can be sued for Liable as much as you can for copyright infringement. From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Battlegroup Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 9:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [CBML] Re: Copyright The man is DEAD NO lawsuit if nobody is affected. IN order to get sued you must have somebody FILE a SUIT. Not going to happen to with Dead man I doubt he is going to be to upset either. People take this TOO FAR. By these hardliners definitions pretty much everything for Cyberboard and VASSAL is illegal in some way. Then why get involved? And why haven't companies being infringed filling a suit? It's not worth it most of the time. Now be holier then thou all you want. But I am going to play a 30 year old game without a 30 year receipt for the game, with a friend regardless of who thinks it's illegal, knowing full well I am not going to sued for it. Like I say I have had people attack a product of mine based on their false ideas of law. And commit a determined smear campaign against my company. I've seen it happen to others. If you represent the company and you feel there is a cause for litigation ,go for it. If not, let that company decide how they want defend THEIR property not YOURS. That's the biggest problem I have here. These self appointed crusaders that claim they know law but have no law degree and have no employment with the company the claim is being infringed upon. People can fight their own battles. I am completely for a company protecting its IP.. All these pseudo lawyers should make themselves familiar with another legal term..LIABLE. If you believe there is illegal activity you might want to be ready to back it up in court. Maybe, just maybe one of these smaller guys making their own products actually will have enough money to fight back against false accusation and smear campaigns. IP infringement can contribute to ruining the hobby. But so can these crusaders attempting to sway public opinion online or in real world, against somebody's own products cause they think they know the law. From: [email protected] <mailto:CyberBoardML%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:CyberBoardML%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of Daniel W. Johnson Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 7:47 PM To: [email protected] <mailto:CyberBoardML%40yahoogroups.com> Subject: RE: [CBML] Re: Copyright At 18:59 -0600 2008-11-21, Battlegroup wrote: >The company is gone the write of the code is dead. There is nobody left. >Who's going to do what? "Don't get caught" is not the Eleventh Commandment. "I don't know the name of the owner" does not excuse theft. -- Daniel W. Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:panoptes%40iquest.net> <mailto:panoptes%40iquest.net> http://members.iquest.net/~panoptes/ 039 53 36 N / 086 11 55 W [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
