I'm of the opinion that WotC giving away D&D will never happen, should never happen, and would be corporate suicide. They're a publishing house, not a merchandising business; it's not even close to an advantage for them to give away creative control of the thing that they're best at, just so they can try to make money in areas they have no skill or core competencies in.
What they are "best at" is CCGs. Many would argue that RPGs are done much better elsewhere. However, Hasbro isn't going to get rid of any property under it. Hasbro wouldn't allow the sale (or the "giving away") of D&D.
It might be best for WotC and Hasbro, or at least they might think it is, but it's definitely not the best for D&D as a whole.I'm of the opinion that WotC giving away D&D will never happen, should never happen, and would be corporate suicide. They're a publishing house, not a merchandising business; it's not even close to an advantage for them to give away creative control of the thing that they're best at, just so they can try to make money in areas they have no skill or core competencies in. The risk in that is staggering. It's far wiser for them to focus on what they're great at, build the brand, then license that brand to people who can merchandise it for them.
That may not be best for someone who wants to write 4e material without following the GSL, but I think it's definitely best for D&D as a whole.
It might be best for WotC and Hasbro, or at least they might think it is, but it's definitely not the best for D&D as a whole.
There is nothing "dying" about copyright. This is an extremist view.
I concur with Piratecat's assessment.
Dungeons and Dragons THE BRAND and WotC the company are best served by protectionism. There are advantages to Open gaming that benefited WotC, but the disadvantage of being forced to compete more directly clearly outweighed the advantages.
No, it's a visionary view. Copyright will die soon. 300 years is long enough.There is nothing "dying" about copyright. This is an extremist view.