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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KDLadage" data-source="post: 1113135" data-attributes="member: 88">As has been pointed out in this thread, even if I trusted the current incarnation of the management of the WotC division, and even if I trusted the management of Hasbro -- that would still be the management today. This is a pandora's box, once open -- it is going to remain open. Because even if the lid is closed on this thing, we all now know it can be re-opened at any time WotC does not like another publication.Consider: the TOTAL WAR series from Mongoose deals in real-world locations and real world issues placed in a fantastic setting (fantastic here meaning sci-fi/fictional). The real world elements make it rather interesting to me... but what if someone is offended? What is WotC to do?Consider: we have a few publishers of content for the d20 system that have, for lack of a batter term, T&A all over their covers. Mostly, this has been overlooked, without any real problems noted by anyone. If Anthony Valtera is stopped in the publication of his book -- will he begin pointing fingers claiming he is being singled out? Would he have a case (from a legal standpoint)? Who else will be drug under the water with him? Please note that I know virtually nothing of Mr. Valtera, and so I am not saying he would do this -- I am asking if this is a probable/possible scenario.Consider: Once this fiasco is over, and someone wants to complain about a product in the market -- however benign -- and the see the Dungeons and Dragons name on it (as required), will they go to WotC? Since WotC at this point cannot simply deny any involvement, what will their position be? Will they be willing to endure a court case for a competitor? Or will they shut the product down, and avoid the legal costs? Please note that I know virtually nothing of the legal department of WotC, and so I am not saying they would do this -- I am asking if this is a probable/possible scenario.Consider: There are a lot of very vague elements to this addition to the d20 STL. What else is gratuitous? What else does not meet the community standard? How is it a community standard, if WotC dictates, determines and interprets that standard alone? Who remains outside of the reach of the arm of WotC should they simply not like what you are doing?Sure -- these are improbable, perhaps. But if it were your $10,000 investment in a book to be published, would you risk it?I wouldn't. Not under these conditions.I was never int he market for the BoEF. It was no better than FATAL for me. I did not want to buy it, and still do not. But that was my choice. That was my choice as a consumer.If WotC had a problem with the size of the term DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS on the cover, I can see changing the font size requirements...If WotC had a problem with the content, I could see placing a requirement to add a disclaimer indicating that WotC had nothing to do with any d20 3rd-party product out there.This, however, is a rather Machiavellian response to one book that has a lot (and I mean a LOT) of implications for the rest of the d20 publishers out there.</blockquote>

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