Andy_Collins
First Post
A Response
Here's the text of the email I just sent to Malik in response to his message to me, in which he identified himself and the source of his information:
**********************
Thanks for having the courage to step up and admit where you got the information. I've forwarded the information to Ed Stark, the D&D Design Manager, and to Anthony Valterra, the D&D Business Manager (and cc:ed them on this message).
Since you're not a playtester, it's true that you're not under the obligation of a Non-Disclosure Agreement regarding such information.
However, you should remember that it's still confidential information that's the property of Wizards of the Coast, and distributing it--even if you're not under an NDA--is certainly unethical and may well be illegal.
In addition, remember that reproducing sections of a book, even one that isn't published yet, is a copyright violation, and is neither ethical nor legal. It's very frustrating to work for months on a product only to see people distributing it without paying for it. The only way writers can make a living is if we get paid for our work, and the more people who steal our writing for illegal distribution, the more likely it is that eventually, companies like Wizards decide to stop paying for that writing at all.
Again, thanks for stepping up. I appreciate your honesty and forthrightness in the situation.
***********************
Please, people, don't do this. Don't encourage people to violate NDAs, infringe upon copyrights, or otherwise behave in unethical and/or illegal behavior. It doesn't help anybody, and it has the significant potential to hurt people who derive their livelihood from their ability to write and publish game material.
Thanks!
Here's the text of the email I just sent to Malik in response to his message to me, in which he identified himself and the source of his information:
**********************
Thanks for having the courage to step up and admit where you got the information. I've forwarded the information to Ed Stark, the D&D Design Manager, and to Anthony Valterra, the D&D Business Manager (and cc:ed them on this message).
Since you're not a playtester, it's true that you're not under the obligation of a Non-Disclosure Agreement regarding such information.
However, you should remember that it's still confidential information that's the property of Wizards of the Coast, and distributing it--even if you're not under an NDA--is certainly unethical and may well be illegal.
In addition, remember that reproducing sections of a book, even one that isn't published yet, is a copyright violation, and is neither ethical nor legal. It's very frustrating to work for months on a product only to see people distributing it without paying for it. The only way writers can make a living is if we get paid for our work, and the more people who steal our writing for illegal distribution, the more likely it is that eventually, companies like Wizards decide to stop paying for that writing at all.
Again, thanks for stepping up. I appreciate your honesty and forthrightness in the situation.
***********************
Please, people, don't do this. Don't encourage people to violate NDAs, infringe upon copyrights, or otherwise behave in unethical and/or illegal behavior. It doesn't help anybody, and it has the significant potential to hurt people who derive their livelihood from their ability to write and publish game material.
Thanks!
)
