EN World Gamestore - Review Question

[Roudi]

As the writer of the review (and therefore the copyright holder), Man-thing has every right to decide how and when it will be used.

You are absolutely correct. No one here is disputing this. However, this is the difference between the law and the abidement thereof.

If the ENGS Reviews Page makes it clear that any reviews posted there may be used for promotional purposes, and that hitting the "submit" button constitutes consent for ENWorld to use the poster's work in that way, then I see no problem. If this is not how it works, then copyright law becomes an issue. In any case, Man-thing has every right to do what he did, and I am in no way saying otherwise. Really, I'm just offering a warning that any written review of a product constitutes a promotion of said product. Also, not everyone considers copyright law when deciding to use another person's review of their product for their own promotion. These are things one should always consider before posting anything online, but especially a review.

 

[Morrus]

It may have been a tad perfunctory, but usually that's because my mind's elsewhere. Especially when it comes to admin type stuff - it's routine, it has to be done, but I'm somewhere else entirely.

 

[madelf]

It may have been a tad perfunctory, but usually that's because my mind's elsewhere. Especially when it comes to admin type stuff - it's routine, it has to be done, but I'm somewhere else entirely.

Makes perfect sense, and there's certainly nothing wrong with it (perfunctory is a much more accurate and appropriate word BTW). Just throws me off sometimes is all.

 

[madelf]

If the ENGS Reviews Page makes it clear that any reviews posted there may be used for promotional purposes, and that hitting the "submit" button constitutes consent for ENWorld to use the poster's work in that way, then I see no problem.

Even then it might be a little fuzzier than that. Whether signing over rights to "ENWorld News & Reviews Site" is the same (legally speaking) as signing over rights to "ENWorld Game Store", might be up for debate. They might well be the same legal entity, but that's not entirely obvious (and not really how it's sounded so far).

If this is not how it works, then copyright law becomes an issue. In any case, Man-thing has every right to do what he did, and I am in no way saying otherwise. Really, I'm just offering a warning that any written review of a product constitutes a promotion of said product. Also, not everyone considers copyright law when deciding to use another person's review of their product for their own promotion. These are things one should always consider before posting anything online, but especially a review.

I honestly don't see why someone should be expected to assume that their copyrighted material is up for grabs simply because it's online. Should they be aware that it might happen? Yes. Should they be expected to allow it when it does? Not if they don't want to.

That's really all I'm saying.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

While I'm not hot for the sniping back and forth, I do think the situation highlights something.

If ENGS (the commercial site) is using reviews of products originally posted to ENWorld (the community site) as a means of advertising, are the original authors going to be contacted to tell them? Will there be a disclaimer in the reviews section for future reviewers so they can be educated about the review process?

Personally, I write reviews to educate people about products. Had I written some at ENWorld I'd be fine with them being used in the store, but I do think the reviewers should be allowed some sort of choice without causing a bunch of bad blood by having their reviews deleted and getting banned, etc etc.

ENWorld and the ENGS are a pretty unique relationship, so there are going to be some unique situations arising from it.

--fje

 

[Morrus]

I don't see it as a big deal, and will deal with it on a case by case basis. Mountains, molehills. Do people who post reviews at RPGnet know they appear at RPGNow?

 

[BrooklynKnight]

While I'm not hot for the sniping back and forth, I do think the situation highlights something.

If ENGS (the commercial site) is using reviews of products originally posted to ENWorld (the community site) as a means of advertising, are the original authors going to be contacted to tell them? Will there be a disclaimer in the reviews section for future reviewers so they can be educated about the review process?

Personally, I write reviews to educate people about products. Had I written some at ENWorld I'd be fine with them being used in the store, but I do think the reviewers should be allowed some sort of choice without causing a bunch of bad blood by having their reviews deleted and getting banned, etc etc.

ENWorld and the ENGS are a pretty unique relationship, so there are going to be some unique situations arising from it.

--fje

Morrus did not ban him, he asked him not to post anymore if he wanted his reviews removed.

When people have asked for their accounts to be deleted he's done the same.

I do agree, there should be a notice, but I dont think all previous reviewers need to be contacted.

 

[Eosin the Red]

I kinda thought that was the purpose of reviews... you know tell people about a product. I review here and at RPGnet (most of my ENWorld reviews are not credited to me) and getting used in a promotional is something of a tip of the hat to the reviewer...

 

[madelf]

I don't see it as a big deal, and will deal with it on a case by case basis. Mountains, molehills. Do people who post reviews at RPGnet know they appear at RPGNow?

Since when does RPGnow have RPGnet reviews integrated into their storefront? I've seen some publishers post links to reviews at RPGnet, and elsewhere, but that's kind of an apples and oranges comparison.

Don't get me wrong, I think having the reviews tied right into the store, like you have them, is a great idea. I'd just hate to see it done without the people who wrote the reviews being on board with it. But as long as you're willing (and you obviously are) to remove reviews when asked, then that's covered. (The idea that someone can't write reviews in the future because they'd like their old ones removed still leaves me scratching my head - I just can't see the reasoning, I guess. But then I'm not sure I see the reasoning of someone wanting to write future reviews for the store if they don't want existing ones there either, so... what the heck.)

 

[Man-thing]

But then I'm not sure I see the reasoning of someone wanting to write future reviews for the store if they don't want existing ones there either, so... what the heck.)

For myself, it was an optics issue. That's not why I placed reviews here, however that said I have no problem with the ENGS and there are a couple things there that I'm looking to pick up soon. I like writing reviews and was one of the people that was writing reviews as part of Crothian's pdf review project. I would have liked to continue to support all publishers through that project but will follow Morrus's request not to post any review since he was very willing to consider mine.