GSL questions for Scott Rouse and Mike Lescault

[Ranger REG]

Just how much is WOTC still WOTC?

Is that a rhetorical question, or do you really want an answer?

 

[Vigilance]

Well, to be fair, it really wasn't that long ago that TSR did attack fansites (mid 90s, not 1989), instead forcing people to only submit fan material to a few designated sites. Some people can't help but see a glimmer of that in Gleemax and the DDI.

And while WOTC might not have a history of suing fansites and such, Hasbro has been quite active legally. Just how much is WOTC still WOTC? And what about the future? Time ends to erode the independances of subsidiaries.

Ohhh, so it was just 11 years ago, not 20.

Gee, when you put it that way, I see why everyone is being so paranoid and consider them fully justified.

 

[BryonD]

Ohhh, so it was just 11 years ago, not 20.

Gee, when you put it that way, I see why everyone is being so paranoid and consider them fully justified.

Ya know Chuck, I agree that WotC isn't going to go after fan sites. Not a chance.

But I think being concerned about something that did happen in the past might happen again is more justified than being a jerk towards people who are concerned about it.

 

[AZRogue]

Still no news from T$R? That's some serious vetting! They must be pleased with all the love their silence is generating.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Still no news from T$R? That's some serious vetting! They must be pleased with all the love their silence is generating.

Dang AZ, I think this is the strongest negativity I've heard you towards WotC/4E.

As to Orcus' whereabouts, I offer the following logical speculations to help calm nerves:

-He's busy. He is a lawyer after all. I don't know alot of lawyers with alot of free time. And he has commented in the recent past that he was trying to quickly post during his lunch.

-He's secretly discussing with Wizards about some kind of license (GSL or private). If that were the case, it would not be prudent for him to discuss much publicly regarding licenses. Who knows, maybe Wizards is discussing with Orcus to have him draft the GSL. I mean, who is better to write Legal licenses then a demon lord.

-He's interviewing for the open Sr Lawyer position (or whatever it was) at WotC that we hard about recently. Making public comments would not be prudent here either.

Just some thoughts. I hope this helps to calm fears.

 

[Vigilance]

Ya know Chuck, I agree that WotC isn't going to go after fan sites. Not a chance.

But I think being concerned about something that did happen in the past might happen again is more justified than being a jerk towards people who are concerned about it.

So I am being a jerk when I point out that the "past" was more than a decade ago, perpetrated by a management team long gone, by a company that no longer exists?

I call that telling the truth.

Bluntly perhaps, but imho some bluntness is called for with the vitriol being released in this thread.

 

[Lizard]

Ya know Chuck, I agree that WotC isn't going to go after fan sites. Not a chance.

But I think being concerned about something that did happen in the past might happen again is more justified than being a jerk towards people who are concerned about it.

Wish I could agree with you.

The mid-90s TSR attack on fandom was motivated by ignorance and the desire for control. Fan sites weren't hitting their business model. In 2008, fan sites ARE directly in competition with how WOTC seems to plan to make either the majority or a large minority of their money from 4e - and that gives them a powerful motive.

Does this mean they WILL do it? No, but I can't say it's impossible, either.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

So I am being a jerk when I point out that the "past" was more than a decade ago, perpetrated by a management team long gone, by a company that no longer exists?

I call that telling the truth.

Bluntly perhaps, but imho some bluntness is called for with the vitriol being released in this thread.

By that same logic the OGL was created almost a decade ago, by a management team long gone.

 

[Vigilance]

By that same logic the OGL was created almost a decade ago, by a management team long gone.

And if you want to argue that the OGL might be going away, I'm perfectly ok with having that discussion.

Purposeful delay so the books can get out, followed by them "springing" the fact that there will be no license on folks, followed by them suing fan sites?

Not so much.

 

[Orcus]

-He's interviewing for the open Sr Lawyer position (or whatever it was) at WotC that we hard about recently. Making public comments would not be prudent here either.

Ack!

No thanks.

Just busy.

I posted in another thread. I'll copy paste here.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=222814&page=7&pp=30

I say hang tight.

Clark