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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mythusmage" data-source="post: 2525507" data-attributes="member: 571">Unfortunately, referring to a product directly is viewed by some as challenging the trademark. Even if that is not your intent. And if the product is not covered by a special agreement allowing the design and publication of compatible material, then matters get even worse. It falls under "no good deed goes unpunished".Then again, there are times when you don't want certain products associated with yours. Poor quality products, or products covering subjects you don't want your product associated with. But, under the law you have to treat everybody the same. You can't selectively enforce your rights.BTW, Judges Guild and Mayfair Games both had licensing agreements with TSR. Both were negotiated with Gary Gygax. The Blumes killed the first when they learned the license wasn't bringing in that much money. The latter was killed by Williams when Mayfair started taking the RoleAids line in a direction TSR didn't much care for. At that point Mayfair filed off the serial numbers and started producing non-D&D material that just happened to be compatible with D&D. While obviously intended to be used with D&D the Demons line was, technically speaking, not D&D material.It was this case, and TSR's suit against Gygax and GDW regarding Dangerous Journeys that resulted in the finding that game mechanics cannot be copyrighted. Patented, but not copyrighted. This played a big role in the establishment of the Open Game License and Open Game Content.</blockquote>

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