Years after completely ditching the system, WotC makes their move!

[renau1g]

Maybe they'll be adding something on their DDI and want it to bring in more revenue? Losing something always sucks, like when they stopped updating the Offline CB... Now I can't use it while traveling (on plane) or on public transportation rides.

 

[joethelawyer]

Were I in charge of WotC- given my pro-3.5 position- I'd probably be hard at work trying to draft a licensing structure favorable to sites like CK and all those they "like."

Because here's the thing: as long as you can prove you're not discriminating on the basis of a protected class (race, religion, etc.), you can refuse to do business with just about anyone.

So you could conceivably have a licensing agreement with CK for...say, $100/term...you could still go after the torrent sites and other pirates in IP lawsuits. You'd never have to give them a license, either. Or you could say they can have a license after paying some kind if nominal damages for lost profits before getting a license.

Bingo

 

[Dingleberry]

FWIW, I'm also an IP lawyer. I haven't replied on this thread previously because Dannyalcatraz's comments have been spot-on.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

It's kind of interesting that this thread has started to become the #1 place on ENWorld for legal eagle geeks.

Apparently, this was posted from the future!

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

FWIW, I'm also an IP lawyer. I haven't replied on this thread previously because Dannyalcatraz's comments have been spot-on.

[Insert mildly offensive lawyer joke about how appropriate that username is for a lawyer]

That's a shame, Danny seemed to be right, but I'd rather he wasn't.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

[Insert mildly offensive lawyer joke about how appropriate that username is for a lawyer]

Careful- with 3 in the waters, you might start a frenzy!

Personal fave lawyer joke:
Q: How many lawyer jokes are there?
A: Only one- all the rest are true stories.

That's a shame, Danny seemed to be right, but I'd rather he wasn't.

You'd rather WotC was acting in a way that couldn't be justified under sound business judgement?

I understand the frustration- again 3.X is my D&D of choice and WotC's given me PLENTY to be ticked off about over the past few years- but I can't fault them here without more info.

 

[ggroy]

-- WotC seems not to have considered any of the PR ramifications of this decision, which from a fanbase viewpoint, is one in a long line of incredibly stupid decisions;

At this point, maybe they just don't give a damn anymore? Numerous PR blunders and people are still buying their products.

There have been other rpg companies which have went the litigious route, such as Palladium.

 

[Dingleberry]

Careful- with 3 in the waters, you might start a frenzy!

Personal fave lawyer joke:
Q: How many lawyer jokes are there?
A: Only one- all the rest are true stories.

My favorite:

Why do lawyer jokes always fall flat?
Because lawyers don't think they're funny, and non-lawyers don't think they're jokes.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

At this point, maybe they just don't give a damn anymore? Numerous PR blunders and people are still buying their products.

This is what I think. Like I said, they've realized that they've burned the bridge and desecrated its remnants and most of us simply want nothing to do with their business again, so there's no logical reason for them to not stick it to older edition players in order to reduce previous editions' visibility. Danny seems to think they might be planning some sort of re-release. I honestly hope they aren't THAT stupid to think any of us angry with them will suddenly start buying their products again. And besides, the whole reason they've removed pdfs and all is to prevent 3E from drawing potential new players away from 4E. Unveiling any sort of re-release or collection would completely undermine all of that douchbaggery hard work.

 

[ggroy]

Danny seems to think they might be planning some sort of re-release. I honestly hope they aren't THAT stupid to think any of us angry with them will suddenly start buying their products again. And besides, the whole reason they've removed pdfs and all is to prevent 3E from drawing potential new players away from 4E. Unveiling any sort of re-release or collection would completely undermine all of that douchbaggery hard work.

I suspect it is probably "too early" to be re-releasing a classic unabridged 3.5E D&D.

With that being said, one possible scenario I can think offhand which could in principle extensively use 3.5E material, would be if WotC designs 5E D&D by rewriting 3.5E as a foundation and incorporating various 4E-isms such as: healing surges, second wind, +level/2 modifier to attacks/defenses/skills, etc ...