D&D 5E The new Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set - and online tools?

[Morrus]

I'm still a couple of pages behind, but I really wanted to say that I'm absolutely astounded. We live in a world where an idea can be shared with anyone, anywhere in the world, in the blink of an eye, and where knowledge and information can spread across the entire planet practically overnight. How is it that we're arguing that having the option to download a free pdf is somehow going to be a limiting factor?

We're in a Monty Python sketch, that's why. Someone on Twitter was telling me that he doesn't have internet or a printer, and that it's illegal to print out PDFs anyway.

 

[the Jester]

We're in a Monty Python sketch, that's why. Someone on Twitter was telling me that he doesn't have internet or a printer, and that it's illegal to print out PDFs anyway.

Technically, if that pdf is copyrighted, he's correct (at least in the U.S.). Nobody much pays attention to copyright law anyway (whee piracy!), but for people with a strong Lawful alignment component, this can be an issue. For instance, if you take a pdf from WotC to FedEx Office (used to be Kinkos), they generally won't do the printing for you.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think that if WotC is releasing a "Basic game" pdf for free, there's a very good chance it will say that you can print out a copy for yourself.

 

[pedr]

Technically, if that pdf is copyrighted, he's correct (at least in the U.S.). Nobody much pays attention to copyright law anyway (whee piracy!), but for people with a strong Lawful alignment component, this can be an issue. For instance, if you take a pdf from WotC to FedEx Office (used to be Kinkos), they generally won't do the printing for you.

There is, presumably, an argument for an implied licence to print a book delivered as a PDF and/or an analogy to format shifting of music files.

The amendment to UK copyright law which would have allowed for the creation of "personal copies" of copyright works where the original is lawfully possessed was not moved in Parliament due to some lobbying by the music industry, but those of us with a sensible approach to copyright hope it will go through in the autumn.

 

[the Jester]

I think that if WotC is releasing a "Basic game" pdf for free, there's a very good chance it will say that you can print out a copy for yourself.

Speaking as a guy who used to work at a Kinkos and later FedEx, you'd be surprised how often things that are meant to be copied come with a "copyright, all rights reserved" notice right on them. It's a case of the legal guys not paying attention to the intended use, but that doesn't release a copy shop from liability.

There is, presumably, an argument for an implied licence to print a book delivered as a PDF and/or an analogy to format shifting of music files.

Maybe, but the policy is generally going to be "If it's copyrighted, just don't do it".

Often there's a workaround- either a waiver you can sign or a self-serve option- but yeah, the 'but it's meant to be copied' line wouldn't generally work.

 

[darjr]

I'm still a couple of pages behind, but I really wanted to say that I'm absolutely astounded. We live in a world where an idea can be shared with anyone, anywhere in the world, in the blink of an eye, and where knowledge and information can spread across the entire planet practically overnight. How is it that we're arguing that having the option to download a free pdf is somehow going to be a limiting factor?

That's all well and good until someone at Wotc decides to make it unavailable. Unless there is a license to replicate it everywhere, which I doubt at this point, then only illegitimate copies will be available.

 

[Umbran]

That's all well and good until someone at Wotc decides to make it unavailable.

So, are we now worried about the perpetual availability of something for a $20 starter product?

 

[GravyFingerz]

So, are we now worried about the perpetual availability of something for a $20 starter product?

I WORRY ABOUT IT EVERYDAY AND NIGHT AND I HAVEN'T SLEPT IN A WEEK AND NOW MY CLOTHES TALK TO NE!

 

[Mistwell]

That's all well and good until someone at Wotc decides to make it unavailable. Unless there is a license to replicate it everywhere, which I doubt at this point, then only illegitimate copies will be available.

Only on the internet would people get outraged about a company giving away something for free and think it's a good point that some day they might no longer give it away for free.

 

[Nikosandros]

Only on the internet would people get outraged about a company giving away something for free and think it's a good point that some day they might no longer give it away for free.

What boggles my mind is that if WotC instead released this in a traditional printed format, then at some point it would no longer be available just the same, since books do go out of print...