How is this legal?

[2WS-Steve]

I don't see how you can return a PDF... you could delete it, presumably, but how does RPGNow know that you've deleted it? If people could get refunds after buying a PDF, I think the PDF industry would go out of business very quickly. There are, unfortunately, an awful lot of dishonest people out there.

If the music industry ever figures out a way to prevent sharing of e-songs and that information trickles down to the e-book business it'll be very interesting to see what effect that has on PDF sales.

 

[BryonD]

I don't see how you can return a PDF... you could delete it, presumably, but how does RPGNow know that you've deleted it? If people could get refunds after buying a PDF, I think the PDF industry would go out of business very quickly. There are, unfortunately, an awful lot of dishonest people out there.

You are right. Though in the rare case of a product that may actually not be legal, it may be worth considering.

I certainly don't expect rpgnow to go over every product sold through their site. But if they are selling material that infringes on copyright, even without their knowledge, they should consider the option.

Clearly, when it comes to matters of product quality or simple taste, buyer beware is the only fair system.

 

[philreed]

Agree

Clearly, when it comes to matters of product quality or simple taste, buyer beware is the only fair system.

I don't expect a refund at all. I just wish people would be a bit more careful (and honest) before releasing PDF products. Who knows how many potential customers are lost if their very first PDF purchase is something like this.

 

[jaerdaph]

I don't see how you can return a PDF... you could delete it, presumably, but how does RPGNow know that you've deleted it? If people could get refunds after buying a PDF, I think the PDF industry would go out of business very quickly. There are, unfortunately, an awful lot of dishonest people out there.

Yes, that's certainly true. I guess, as ByronD said, caveat emptor.

Thank goodness for the reviews here, aye?

For the record, I do think there are some good things at RPGNow from reputable publishers that distribute there. My experience purchasing Swords Into Plowshares for charity was a good one, and I wouldn't be adverse to purchasing there again. There's a lot of nifty looking stuff at RPGNow, and you can't beat the prices.

 

[jaerdaph]

You are right. Though in the rare case of a product that may actually not be legal, it may be worth considering.

I certainly don't expect rpgnow to go over every product sold through their site. But if they are selling material that infringes on copyright, even without their knowledge, they should consider the option.

Clearly, when it comes to matters of product quality or simple taste, buyer beware is the only fair system.

Excellent point. Other publishers who distribute through RPGNow might want to consider mentioning this as an option to them.

 

[Dark Psion]

" Psionics Handbook Companion A comprehensive one-stop source for fixes to the system presented in Wizards of the Coast's "Psionics Handbook". It also contains a plethora of new powers, abilities, prestige classes, and other extras that have been requetsed by the fans of psionics."

It looks like the above blurb is about as wrong as you can get when it comes to marketing D20 products.

The amazing thing is it's already listed as a "Popular Pick" on RPGNow.

Can anyone tell me what's going on? Can I get some comments or a review?

Well, if you are marketing to psionics fans, advertising the needed fixes is what we are looking for. If WoC is not going to suport or revise psionics someone else will. (and acording to what I hear, psionics will not be in the revised books and there are no plans for a revised Psi handbook)

I'm only suprised it has taken this long for someone to publish a pdf like this. Will WoC send out the old "T$R thugs" after Strutinan? I wouldn't be suprised, that's why I got my copy as soon as it was available. The new stuff is easily worth what I payed for it, even though I have already made some of the same changes to my game (When psionics is involved, great minds DO think alike!).
-------------------------------------------
Hold On, new Two Towers Trailer!

WOW! An army of Ents, Goblins on Worgs, Ogres, Nazgul on Wyverns, and Oliphants!

I wonder if the movie producers will be contacted by WoC for infringing on copyright?

 

[BryonD]

Re: Agree

I don't expect a refund at all. I just wish people would be a bit more careful (and honest) before releasing PDF products. Who knows how many potential customers are lost if their very first PDF purchase is something like this.

I was not trying to speak for you. Sorry if you took it that way.

Mainly, I was just thinking about the implications regarding RPGnow.

If they could offer a refund with an electronic agreement that the file would be deleted, they would be covered (I guess). Obviously nothing would actually force the user to keep their end of the deal. But if they click on a link that says they agree to delete the file and then they get the refund and RPGnow stops selling a file with issues, they have done the best they could.

I am not even trying to say this is what they should do. I am certainly no lawyer and I don't know a whole lot about web programming either.

Mostly I am just listening to myself talk in a self-important manner about a topic that I truely know little in regard. (heh)

 

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

To those with a copy, what does the OGL in the back look like?

It's too bad that the guy is likely going to end up in some hot water over what seemed like a good idea, but he obviously didn't do his research into the material and doesn't seem to have gone to a lawyer and had the OGL and d20STL explained to him, so that sympathy is tempered with much shaking of the head.

 

[tensen]

What's worse is that the second comment reads like a prepared speech posted by a buddy, not a customer. And I can't be certain, but the cover picture looks familiar. It's buzzing at the edge of my memory. Did they take a WotC image and digitally later it or is it an entirely unique image? Anyone know?

Well, since I had to pick it up just to see what it was like....sort of like roadkill I guess.

The person who wrote the comment on rpgnow is listed third in the list of playtesters.

 

[Dark Psion]

To those with a copy, what does the OGL in the back look like?

It's too bad that the guy is likely going to end up in some hot water over what seemed like a good idea, but he obviously didn't do his research into the material and doesn't seem to have gone to a lawyer and had the OGL and d20STL explained to him, so that sympathy is tempered with much shaking of the head.

The same one I never print out in any of my downloads.

Oops, I hope those Thugs arn't coming for me now.

Hmm.... that little old lady who crashed her car into my greenhouse two weeks ago......