FantasyGrounds Takes Legal Action Against WotC

[Ruin Explorer]

Seriously? The dice graphics on first blush appear to be a DIRECT rip-off of FG -- not just color, positioning, etc. -- even the highlights and shadows are pretty much identical. I'd say someone at WotC got lazy, and is probably going to be looking for a new job as a result.

That's what I would expect too. Most likely we'll see an out-of-court settlement of some kind, and never know exactly what occurred. I think anyone claiming "mere similarity" either hasn't looked at the pictures or isn't familiar with lazy software developers (or both).

 

[Vanuslux]

They're basing it on the dice graphics. RPG dice look pretty much the same. Parallel development is far more likely, in my opinion. FantasyGrounds doesn't own RPG dice any more than WotC does.

They don't look pretty much the same...they are identical down to the glints of lighting...that's not parallel development, that's outright stealing the graphics...you cannot convince me that whoever is making dice for DDI just happened to make them look exactly like their nearest competitors (for that kind of product anyway) dice down to the glints of light.

That said, I doubt it's something that WotC would have approved of as a company...I think a lazy graphic designer is going to to be eating a crap sandwich soon.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

That's one way to get the benign neglect to turn into something that's neither benign nor neglectful.

 

[Grazzt]

They do look awfully similar... If Smiteworks' image represents the natural state of their software (and they claim that the dice are in their start up positions with the angles unchanged...) I'd be upset as well.

Whomever snagged that from FantasyGrounds shouldve at least rolled the dice so they didn't sit face up with the same exact numbers showing. Or paid for the software and reskinned the dice to a different color at least.

 

[spunky_mutters]

I would imagine that they're a little worried about the WotC product taking away business (which it's probably doing, even unreleased), and they want to get some press showing that they have a product worth ripping off. They've likely factored the cost of the lawyers against the pr value, and figured it's worth stirring up a reaction.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

They're basing it on the dice graphics. RPG dice look pretty much the same. Parallel development is far more likely, in my opinion. FantasyGrounds doesn't own RPG dice any more than WotC does.

No, it's not that. You need to look at their "evidence."

http://www.fantasygrounds.com/misc/infringement.html

The top screen is what FGII looks like when you start it up. Note the position of the dice. Note the dice that are facing up. Note the alignment of the polygons, where the corners point. Note the numbers along the sides.

It's the exact same set of dice.

Someone very obviously screencapped those graphics and used them in the WotC teaser.

I doubt very seriously that the actual FGII die roller was co-opted into the DDI development.

My guess is that some low-level functionary who was tasked with putting together a "splash screen" to market the DDI (vaporware) is very shortly going to have a very bad day.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

It's ballsy to take on a big dog like Wizards, but with how incredibly weak this case appears to be, it seems they're just throwing money down a hole.

It's not weak, it's a frakking slam dunk.

But as for actual damages, I'd guess $0.

That's why they sent a C&D; they're not "suing."

The only damage done here is a bit of a black eye for WotC.

I give it an hour before it disappears off WotC's site.

 

[Rhianni32]

They have a very good case. The graphics are exactly the same.
Fantasy Grounds isnt saying they own all graphic representations of dice that would be silly and wouldnt hold up in court. But using an EXACT copy will.
For being so strong armed with their current license its funny how wotc doesnt care about others' work. Its just dice graphics for crying out loud just whip some out.

 

[Bagpuss]

It's like Limbo of the Lost all right not quiet. Still it's an obvious rip of, but I doubt they have copied more than just those images so it will probably be settled out of court.

 

[LeaderDesslok]

I should add, I don't think they have a worthwhile lawsuit. What are their damages? But they've probably got a worthwhile cease and desist letter.

Actually when I reread the press release, they haven't initiated a law suit, they've released "a notice of copyright infringement and demand to cease and desist."

I suppose if WotC ignores the notice and demand then it could go to court.