Do you think WoTC should be sued?

[Stoat]

The lady who sued McDonalds for coffee that was too hot suffered third-degree burns, and some people see that as a frivolous lawsuit.

Third degree burns to her genitals, perineum and buttocks. There may be cause to dispute the amount of punitive damages awarded, but the lawsuit was not frivolous.

Also worth keeping in mind.

1. The jury found that the plaintiff was 20% at fault and reduced her damages accordingly.

2. The initial punitive damages award of $2.7 million was reduced by the court to $480,000.

3. The parties eventually settled for "an amount less than $600,000."

 

[BobTheNob]

Ok, you people have taken my topic out of context. I never said I wanted to sue them, I was just asking for your opinion whether or not you THINK they should be sued. Apparently it isn't such a good idea then. I actually don't mind 4e and I think it has some more potential, but there are definitely fans who hate it with a passion.

Oh, thanks for clarrifying.

NO.

(and yes, I endorse everyone who has posted saying this is a ridiculous topic)

 

[Holy Bovine]

Let's say a veteran D&D user (who played/DM'd OD&D, AD&D 1st & 2nd, 3e, and 3.5) filed a lawsuit against WoTC for what they have been doing with 4e and other stuff lately. Do you think that would be justified or frivolous? I'm rather mixed on that because it may make Wizards realize what they've been doing to those who been passionate about the game and at the same time feel it may be going a bit overboard. What do you guys think?

WotC hasn't done a damned thing to 'those who are passionate about the game.' Not. One. Thing.

Y'know I think I need a vacation from RPG boards in general. Today seems like a good time to start a self-imposed exile.

 

[Stumblewyk]

3. The parties eventually settled for "an amount less than $600,000."

And if I'm remembering the facts from my Intro to Business Insurance class that I had to take for the 13 months I was employed by an insurance company, the amount they eventually settled on was equal to McDonald's corporate profits from coffee sales for one average day of business.

Hardly frivolous, indulgent, or excessive.

 

[Herschel]

There are also those who have bought it and were very disappointed with it. Imagine what it would be like if someone sued Wizards for not only 4e (and the changes it made), but also for stuff like them cancelling the miniatures line in favor of monster tokens and them making Dragon Magazine a webzine.

If every person who was ever involved in making the GI Joe movie hasn't been sued on these grounds, that should tell you something about the legitimacy of a suit.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Actually, yes. I think you or someone else should sue.

Because when that happens, WotC, D&D and 4E will get a lot of mainstream press and possibly inspire more and more kids to play "that wild game that made that one person so crazy he tried to sue them for making it!".

We want the press!

 

[moxcamel]

Ok, you people have taken my topic out of context. I never said I wanted to sue them, I was just asking for your opinion whether or not you THINK they should be sued. Apparently it isn't such a good idea then. I actually don't mind 4e and I think it has some more potential, but there are definitely fans who hate it with a passion.

Heh, so you don't necessarily endorse the idea, you're just using the cable news "some people say..." technique, huh?

There are also those who have bought it and were very disappointed with it. Imagine what it would be like if someone sued Wizards for not only 4e (and the changes it made), but also for stuff like them cancelling the miniatures line in favor of monster tokens and them making Dragon Magazine a webzine. I'd think I'd crack up if that actually happened, though dumbfounded at the same time.

Something like that is from an angry D&D fan's perspective, not mine.

I'm imagining what it would be like if someone sued Wizards for the things you mentioned, and I'm still mentally face-palming. You're operating under the assumption that this is even remotely a rational idea. It's not even funny or entertaining to think about, because it would say more about the person doing it than it would say about Wizards. Wizards would, in fact, be the good guy in this case. I, and everyone else, would be cheering Wizards on.

Whether you endorse the actual question you asked or not, just bringing the question up is silly. It's like asking if we should sue god because of bad weather. It's like asking if someone should sue their parents because they didn't get them a pony when they were 8. Just asking the question is magnitudes of silliness.

And now I'm going to give you xp because I feel a little (only a little) bad for being so harsh on you.

 

[MrMyth]

There are also those who have bought it and were very disappointed with it. Imagine what it would be like if someone sued Wizards for not only 4e (and the changes it made), but also for stuff like them cancelling the miniatures line in favor of monster tokens and them making Dragon Magazine a webzine. I'd think I'd crack up if that actually happened, though dumbfounded at the same time.

Something like that is from an angry D&D fan's perspective, not mine.

Here's the thing - this isn't from "an angry D&D fan's perspective." It is from yours. You are the only one who has raised the suggestion of suing the company. Even if you don't believe in doing so, no one has voiced this idea except yourself - hence why you will be at the receiving end of the negative response to such an idea.

The fact you are still offering reasons for suing the company suggests that this might be closer to home than you are claiming. And yet the answer remains 'NO' - someone buying a product and being disappointed might be grounds for a refund, but not for a lawsuit. Someone upset over a change in product format is a reason to not buy the new product, but certainly not something that needs to be settled in court.

We don't need to 'imagine what it would be like' because it won't happen.

If this truly is just a hypothesis of yours about an angry fan, and not a personal desire to sue WotC... well, the question has been answered. "No." No one thinks WotC should be sued, no one plans to sue them, no one thinks it remotely likely that they will be sued.

 

[mudbunny]

Here's the thing - this isn't from "an angry D&D fan's perspective." It is from yours. You are the only one who has raised the suggestion of suing the company. Even if you don't believe in doing so, no one has voiced this idea except yourself - hence why you will be at the receiving end of the negative response to such an idea.

Lord I wish I could say that I haven't seen numerous posts on the WotC forums calling for class-action lawsuits against WotC.

I read ENWorld so I don't have to read those things.

 

[DracoSuave]

And if I'm remembering the facts from my Intro to Business Insurance class that I had to take for the 13 months I was employed by an insurance company, the amount they eventually settled on was equal to McDonald's corporate profits from coffee sales for one average day of business.

Hardly frivolous, indulgent, or excessive.

The crux of Stella's argument was this:

"Stella Liebeck's attorney argued that coffee should never be served hotter than 140 °F (60 °C), and that a number of other establishments served coffee at a substantially lower temperature than McDonald's."

If you've worked in the restaurant business, then you know of a magic number. 165 degrees farenheit. That is the temperature at which salmonella and most other food poisoning bacteria die.

Hot food that needs to sit for any period of time should ideally be kept at that temperature to prevent people from dying of bad stuff. 140 degrees is fine for a fresh cup of coffee, but if that coffee has to sit in a coffee pot for any length of time, it needs to be hotter than that.

Where I live... that's not just 'guideline' but it's health and safety law. When you sue a restaurant implying that the ideal and safe serving manner is one that is outlawed for having potentially lethal results... yes... it is frivolous and misinformed.

Also, you don't put styrofoam cups of coffee between your legs as you drive over speed bumps. That's asking to get burned.