Hi Stefano, I'll answer the easy question first:
>what are our rights here, if any? Almost none whatsoever. If you own a copy of the game in question, then you probably have the right to create a module for that game and use it for you own use to the same degree that you would your actual copy of the boardgame. You do not have the right to publicly publish a copy of that module. >Assuming the worst (they never reply to me), does this mean I cannot >post my module for public use ever? The general procedure followed I have seen written about in the discussion list is to make the best effort possible to contact the copyright holders, as you have done. If they do not reply after a 'reasonable' length of time, then it can be argued that they are agreeing to your proposal by default. You may want to send a follow up letter at some stage to the effect that you are taking their non reply as acceptance, that you will be publish the module at http://.. and they are welcome to have a look at it. If they have a problem with this, you will be happy to take the module down. Since you have no rights at all in this matter, the best you can do is to be polite and reasonable and keep them informed. If they choose to shut you down, tough, but the majority of copyright holders either don't care, or are positive when approached in the right way. Of course, there are always exceptions. One week is probably not enough. I would wait a month, then send a follow up letter. The official VASSAL line is that if a copyright holder asks Rodney to take a module down, it comes down from the VASSAL site, full stop. This is just my opinion, other people may approach this issue in a different way. Regards, Brent. >*********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** > >On 12/01/2007 at 5:02 PM stine020 wrote: >Hi > >I have been trying to get authorization to publish the module I am >developing from the game designers, first, and the game publisher, >next, but they haven't replied, yet. One week has gone by since my >first email (to the designers). > >Assuming the worst (they never reply to me), does this mean I cannot >post my module for public use ever? I am sure this situation has >occurred before, with some other game and some other module designer.. >what are our rights here, if any? > >Thanks > >Stefano > >P.S. This game involves trademarks and original art from another well >known company, which complicates the situation further, I am afraid. > > > ____________________________________________________________ Brent Easton Analyst/Programmer University of Western Sydney Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
