Judges Guild and the Wilderlands

[Neonchameleon]

Almost all of HPL's work has exited copyright protections due to age. A good chunk of his contemporaries' works have, as well..

Bledso's work is all still under copyright, and if it's used, Bledso is entitled to compensation.

One huge difference is that there are two Bledsaws involved here. As far as we can tell Bledsaw the elder was a decent human being and emphatically not a Nazi - and neither is Jennell Jacquays. The work therefore is untainted; it's simply that the copyright has been inherited by Bledsaw the lesser who is a Nazi and this is about giving money to Nazis.

Meanwhile there isn't the money issue for HPL because his works are out of copyright - but there is the issue not only that he was a spectacular racist even by the standards of his time but his stories are largely about xenophobia and why we should fear the unknown and those who are different. Xenophobia and racism are thus woven into those stories while the Nazi connection to Judge's Guild is entirely (so far as we can tell) the person who got the rights rather than any part of the actual works.

 

[Alzrius]

Any time someone starts insisting someone is definitely, really dead, I feel the need to check the locks on my doors and windows.

I'm no coroner, but I must aver, he's not only merely dead, he's really most sincerely dead.

 

[aramis erak]

One huge difference is that there are two Bledsaws involved here. As far as we can tell Bledsaw the elder was a decent human being and emphatically not a Nazi - and neither is Jennell Jacquays. The work therefore is untainted; it's simply that the copyright has been inherited by Bledsaw the lesser who is a Nazi and this is about giving money to Nazis.

From a legal point of view...
Doesn't matter that the current Bledsaw isn't the originator; he's the owner of the IP. And is entitled to compensation if anything within that IP is used.

Even if he's a freaking Nazi.

 

[Eltab]

Doesn't matter that the current Bledsaw isn't the originator; he's the owner of the IP. And is entitled to compensation if anything within that IP is used.

Which is why I believe a 'hostile takeover' or 'buyout' of JG by some other RPG company would be a good answer to the problem.

 

[billd91]

Which is why I believe a 'hostile takeover' or 'buyout' of JG by some other RPG company would be a good answer to the problem.

I’m guessing JG isn’t vulnerable to a hostile takeover. And a buyout by some other company lines Nazi Bledsaw’s pockets. Is nostalgia for JG products worth it?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I’m guessing JG isn’t vulnerable to a hostile takeover. And a buyout by some other company lines Nazi Bledsaw’s pockets. Is nostalgia for JG products worth it?

Given that Goodman Games has been selling Judges Guild updates and recreations since the 3E era, I'd say there's a lot of people interested in those classic modules. Personally, Dark Tower is up there with any of my other 1E memories, like the first time we got swarmed by zombies in the Hommlett moathouse.

 

[Lanefan]

Given that Goodman Games has been selling Judges Guild updates and recreations since the 3E era, I'd say there's a lot of people interested in those classic modules.

Yeah, like it or not JG does have some worthwhile stuff under its umbrella: Dark Tower, Caverns of Thracia, Cities-State of the Invincible Overlord and World Emperor, Tegal Manor, and a few other much more gonzo (but still great if you like gonzo!) adventures.

It'd be nice if there was a way to pry that loose somehow but at the same time not enrich BB II and-or BB III.

 

[Morrus]

Which is why I believe a 'hostile takeover' or 'buyout' of JG by some other RPG company would be a good answer to the problem.

That only works if a company is publicly traded. You can't forcibly buy a private company from somebody who doesn't want to sell it, any more than you can forcibly buy their car.

 

[Nagol]

Which is why I believe a 'hostile takeover' or 'buyout' of JG by some other RPG company would be a good answer to the problem.

As discussed up thread though, some people feel taint follows the purchase. After all, whomever buys it dared to commerce with and enrich the tainted party.

 

[Eltab]

As discussed up thread though, some people feel taint follows the purchase. After all, whomever buys it dared to commerce with and enrich the tainted party.

Yah. I think the community would be richer by paying the Heirs to go away than by depriving itself of the JG heritage material. Since I don't have the financial wherewithal to make the purchase myself, I'll have to keep a 'candle in the window' for a potential interested buyer (company or group or individual), that they will not be shunned also and can make back their expense through future sales.