If Wizards of the Coast went out of business

[Sir Elton]

Would the d20 companies pick up the slack?

Elton.

 

[WayneLigon]

Would the d20 companies pick up the slack?

I guess it depends on what you mean by slack. I suppose that depends on how the various licensing things work. If there is no WoTC (and I guess we're assuming that some how Hasbro just cuts off that limb and doesn't transfer the rights and such to another division), there's no one to approve d20 license content which I guess means they're stuck using the SRD.

It depends on what the FR and Eberron people want as well, since there will be no other products for those settings. What they turn to might decide who among the few d20 publishers left becomes the 'big dog'.

 

[Sir Elton]

Well, depending on what happens, if it did happen Eberron would fall completely into Keith's hands.

 

[amethal]

Well, depending on what happens, if it did happen Eberron would fall completely into Keith's hands.

Why do you say that?

Its great to know that Eberron is safe whatever happens to WotC.

There are a large number of games which TSR => WotC own which are not officially supported at all yet are protected from commercial exploitation by third parties.

 

[amethal]

Presumably, the D&D brand is worth money.

Somebody would pick it up from Hasbro, and provide some sort of "official" D&D products.

Paizo is (presumably) making money from Dragon and Dungeon, and would relish the opportunity to free themselves from the need to get WotC permission for most of their activities. If the price dropped low enough I am sure they would take on the D&D brand.

 

[Sir Elton]

Presumably, the D&D brand is worth money.

Somebody would pick it up from Hasbro, and provide some sort of "official" D&D products.

Paizo is (presumably) making money from Dragon and Dungeon, and would relish the opportunity to free themselves from the need to get WotC permission for most of their activities. If the price dropped low enough I am sure they would take on the D&D brand.

Yes. Paizo would be perfect.

 

[Sir Elton]

Why do you say that?

Keith should be the only one who would be directing Eberron's future of WotC goes into bankruptcy. I'd rather have the settings fall into the hands of the original creators than into the hands of others. Provided that the Copyrights are set up that way.

If Hasbro kept them, they'd be sitting on them forever until somebody pays for the D&D Brand.

 

[JeffB]

It took alot years for Hasbro to give up (license?) the rights for the name "Runequest"..which they got when Avalon Hill was purchased.

I doubt Eberron, or anything else would fall back to any original creators...I'd suspect it would take a huge chunk of change to get the name. And prolly *alot* more than they were asking for "Runequest"

 

[Ranger REG]

Presumably, the D&D brand is worth money.

Somebody would pick it up from Hasbro, and provide some sort of "official" D&D products.

Paizo is (presumably) making money from Dragon and Dungeon, and would relish the opportunity to free themselves from the need to get WotC permission for most of their activities. If the price dropped low enough I am sure they would take on the D&D brand.

I don't see how WotC would stop Paizo for doing d20 labeled product or strictly OGL.

I can see WotC stopping Paizo for doing D&D labeled products without their permission.

 

[MerricB]

I don't see how WotC would stop Paizo for doing d20 labeled product or strictly OGL.

I can see WotC stopping Paizo for doing D&D labeled products without their permission.

Both D&D and the d20 logo are the property of Wizards.

You can make OGL products without problem - it's just the branding that is problematic.

Cheers!