Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gloomshroud" data-source="post: 5289283" data-attributes="member: 92835">I am very upset right now. The below quotations are copied and pasted directly from my email inbox. This is regarding a request for permission to: 1.) Use the Dark Sun Campaign Setting book images (which I purchased) on Obsidian Portal.2.) Use printed images from the same at my table at my FLGS.First, my request:[sblock]To whom it may concern:I am sending this at the suggestion of a customer service representative(whose name escapes me, regrettably). The reason I am writing is to request permission to use images and logos which are intellectual property and copyrights of Wizards of the Coast (WotC). Specifically, on an online and offline basis, I would like to make use of images of the Dark Sun campaign setting. I am a player of 16 years and I still possess the original Dark Sun "box set." I have recently converted to 4E and would like to use images from the Dark Sun 4E Campaign Setting as well. I have a profile on Obsidian Portal (<a href="http://www.obsidianportal.com/akara" target="_blank">www.obsidianportal.com/akara</a>) that I've been using for my homebrew campaign. Now, we have a local gaming store where I have purchased the Core Books as well as Dark Sun material where I plan on running a campaign. I plan on joining the RPGA this week (at our next D&D Encounters). My local store is <edited here, sorry>The images I would like to use are those which reflect the nature of Athasian geography, tone, and mood. I would be using a mixture of the new and old images to achieve this affect both on my website and at the table. Examples of such pictures are found in Chapter 5 of the Campaign Setting (specifically Tyr, p. 135, Draj p. 150, Road of Kings p. 175, the large fold-out map in the back [portions of it, at any rate]), as well as "flavor" images like those on p. 78.I am also requesting permission to use the D&D 4E log and the Dark Sun logo (both old and new).Now, the use of these is for the sole purpose of adding flavor and enhancement to my game for the benefit of my players. No profit would be made. In fact, I would be *spending* money were I to upgrade on OP. I would be using these images on Obsidian Portal (<a href="http://www.obsidianportal.com" target="_blank">Obsidian Portal - Campaign websites for Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop RPGs</a>) and in the store (which already has Advanced status itself). The physical manifestations would include: printed maps, character portraits for NPCs , and possibly monster drawings, as I plan on purchasing the Creature Catalog as soon as my store stocks it.I thank you for your consideration of this matter, and I hope that you would take advantage of this free advertisement. I am a long-time fan of the setting, and am very glad to see it back in the wonderful new vision of D&D. The artwork is fantastic, and I really hope that you will allow me to bring the world to life for my players, as most of them are still unlearned in the ways of harsh Athas. I strive to show them a "world of fire and sand" (Dark Sun Campaign Setting, p. 4, ~The Wanderer's Journal) and would be greatly pleased if I had WotC's blessing in this.[/sblock]Now, their first response:[sblock]I apologize for the confusion. Regarding the usage of our intellectual property; unfortunately, Wizards is unable to grant you permission to use its intellectual property in the manner you have requested.You can however find images available for use on your site in our fan site kit at the following location under the downloads section: <a href="http://www.wizards.com/Company/Press.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.wizards.com/Company/Press.aspx</a>Please let us know if you have any more questions!We would appreciate your feedback on the service we are providing you. Please click here to fill out a short questionnaire.To login to your account, or update your question please click here.[/sblock]To this, I responded, after finding the kit utterly useless for Dark Sun:[sblock]To whom it may concern:I have been attempting to politely seek resolution on an ongoing issue for some time now. After I was courteously, but firmly, rejected regarding the HARMLESS use of WotC IP (with no reasoning offered), I attempted to contact the press manager on this issue to get a simple explanation. To date, I have heard NOTHING. After two emails and dead-end phone calls. What is the meaning of this totally unacceptable treatment? I demand explanation, or I will discontinue any further support of WotC and switch to Paizo. This would break my heart, but I am absolutely furious at the poor treatment I've received at this point.I can show you a link to a COMMERCIAL site which uses your images indiscriminately, and has a mere DISCLAIMER saying "I hope you guys don't mind," and there is nothing done. I have attempted to approach you all in a professional and humble manner, to be rejected wholesale. This is completely unacceptable. I am being punished for trying to do the right thing. It is SO easy to get away with improper usage of your images, but I have not done so out of RESPECT. Please show me the same.  Also, please don't bother replying if it's a pre-written, regurgitated mishmash of obsequious pleasantries. I do not appreciate that, and I want a REAL response from a REAL person. Not some placatory "general use" response. I don't need platitudes, I need an answer.[/sblock]And their final word on the issue:[sblock]Sorry about the back and forth. I understand the frustration and inconvenience this can cause. Unfortunately we are unable to discuss why we do not give permission for our images to be used. Wizards of the Coast cannot provide you with information on our intellectual property rights nor can we give you advice or direction on how to proceed with your own project as it might relate to our properties. (Italics mine.)Thank you for your understanding in this matter, Brandon.We would appreciate your feedback on the service we are providing you. Please click here to fill out a short questionnaire.To login to your account, or update your question please click here. [/sblock]And here is MY final word:[sblock]This is a joke, right? You're not really denying me firstly, a very simple and harmless request and secondly, not even offering a good explanation as to WHY? That is pathetic. Now I know what Erik Mona is so mad about. Hello Paizo, bye bye WotC. I am going to boycott your products personally and dissuade my gaming friends from purchasing your products. While the products are alright, the rest of it is awful. Just awful. I have totally lost faith in your company, and I am sure that Mr. Gygax and Anderson are rolling in their graves at this type of travesty, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has met with such a debacle. I have FAITHFULLY been a fan for WELL over a DECADE. And THIS is the thanks I am given? To the Abyss with you, then. I'm pulling out Pathfinder.[/sblock]While I am fully aware that my last response looks whiny and troll-esque, I opted for complete transparency. Surely you can understand why a "No, you can't have it cuz it's MINE" response was less than ideal? I had even ACCEPTED their judgement, but I wanted to know WHY. Surely THAT wasn't too much to ask? Apparently...it was. Anyone else had a similar experience?</blockquote>

Verification