Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

My company, Chapterhouse Studios LLC, has been very fortunate to locate pro-bono council with the help and tips of a few of our customers. Those customers have intensive legal background as well as leads that helped us find a firm that believes in our case enough to support us.

Thanks to some friends good advice and experience we have a legal agreement for Winston & Strawn LLP - http://winstonandstrawn.com/ to represent us in our case.

I consider myself very lucky to have three attorneys from the firm willing to be our representatives during the case and any other negotiations with Games Workshop. The lead on the case Jennifer Golinveaux has some major experience behind her, and I am confident that with her teams' help we will come out of this experience in great shape.

For everyone who has given their support, I really do appreciate it. I will do my best to let everyone know what happens (as much as is ok with the attorneys).

For those who swore up and down that GW was going to shut us down, bury us in legal fees and we had no chance to win since we were obviously in the wrong... I think the attorneys thought this was a slam-dunk case for Games Workshop and we had no legal ground to stand on that there would be little chance for us to find such an outstanding firm to help us.

Sincerely,
Nick Villacci
Chapterhouse Studios LLC

I wish you the best of luck.
I have bought several of your products in the past and thoroughly enjoyed them.

I still reckon you're bollocksed. But then, my legal knowledge is non-existent. Good luck, chances are you're going to need it!

Awesome! I'll be putting in an order for a couple things in a couple weeks, once this check clears... buts I'd buy a lot more if you released the TS marines kit...

Chapterhouse wrote:For those who swore up and down that GW was going to shut us down, bury us in legal fees and we had no chance to win since we were obviously in the wrong... I think the attorneys thought this was a slam-dunk case for Games Workshop and we had no legal ground to stand on that there would be little chance for us to find such an outstanding firm to help us.

That's fantastic. Now stop talking. The worst thing you can do now is to run around the various big GW sites mouthing off. Any lawyer worth their salt should be telling you to keep your trap shut and let all official statements come from them, and not from you.

That's fantastic. Now stop talking. The worst thing you can do now is to run around the various big GW sites mouthing off. Any lawyer worth their salt should be telling you to keep your trap shut and let all official statements come from them, and not from you.

I have to agree with H.B.M.C. on this bit.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Chapterhouse wrote:For those who swore up and down that GW was going to shut us down, bury us in legal fees and we had no chance to win since we were obviously in the wrong... I think the attorneys thought this was a slam-dunk case for Games Workshop and we had no legal ground to stand on that there would be little chance for us to find such an outstanding firm to help us.

That's fantastic. Now stop talking. The worst thing you can do now is to run around the various big GW sites mouthing off. Any lawyer worth their salt should be telling you to keep your trap shut and let all official statements come from them, and not from you.

Actually, I did ask them if this was ok, and they said it was, I was concerned about showing our hand with out "pro-bono" defense among other things.

You guys are wayyyy too paranoid sometimes!

Yeah, what ^ those guys said. Great news. No keep quiet and listen to your counsel.

I think you crossed the line for sure with what you sold honestly. But you don't deserve to lose your company.

Hopefully you can just stop selling anything that even remotely looks to do with anything from GW and they'll be happy with that.

What great news!

Regardless of what stance you take in this case, it's much better to see actual legal debate on the legislation rather than a money snowball winning the day.

From what I understand though, this is something of a new legal area. how much do the Lawyers give a hoot about you, and how much is about making a name for themselves by forcing a new legal precedent.

P.S. Still willing to bet GW can afford better lawyers than yourself.

AgeOfEgos wrote:What great news!

Regardless of what stance you take in this case, it's much better to see actual legal debate on the legislation rather than a money snowball winning the day.

Agreed, it is now a matter of who is correct legally, not so much who can break the other companies bank (and back) first.

Chapterhouse wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Chapterhouse wrote:For those who swore up and down that GW was going to shut us down, bury us in legal fees and we had no chance to win since we were obviously in the wrong... I think the attorneys thought this was a slam-dunk case for Games Workshop and we had no legal ground to stand on that there would be little chance for us to find such an outstanding firm to help us.

That's fantastic. Now stop talking. The worst thing you can do now is to run around the various big GW sites mouthing off. Any lawyer worth their salt should be telling you to keep your trap shut and let all official statements come from them, and not from you.

Actually, I did ask them if this was ok, and they said it was, I was concerned about showing our hand with out "pro-bono" defense among other things.

You guys are wayyyy too paranoid sometimes!

Considereing what the guys mentioned was pretty basic legal advice, I'd wonder if maybe your lawyers shouldnt' be more paranoid?
You need to win the lawsuit in court, not the internet. Talking about a case never helps.

mikhaila wrote:

Chapterhouse wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Chapterhouse wrote:For those who swore up and down that GW was going to shut us down, bury us in legal fees and we had no chance to win since we were obviously in the wrong... I think the attorneys thought this was a slam-dunk case for Games Workshop and we had no legal ground to stand on that there would be little chance for us to find such an outstanding firm to help us.

That's fantastic. Now stop talking. The worst thing you can do now is to run around the various big GW sites mouthing off. Any lawyer worth their salt should be telling you to keep your trap shut and let all official statements come from them, and not from you.

Actually, I did ask them if this was ok, and they said it was, I was concerned about showing our hand with out "pro-bono" defense among other things.

You guys are wayyyy too paranoid sometimes!

Considereing what the guys mentioned was pretty basic legal advice, I'd wonder if maybe your lawyers shouldnt' be more paranoid?
You need to win the lawsuit in court, not the internet. Talking about a case never helps.

We felt the need to "clear the air", too many customers and stores have been asking if GW has shut us down, just because they filed a law-suit.

Most concerning is a current customer emailing me and saying his LGS said GW put us out of business. This is a way to make sure the facts are out there.

Mr Hyena wrote:I think you crossed the line for sure with what you sold honestly.

Im new to this whole situation...what did they sell?

good luck, dudes.

Mad4Minis wrote:

Mr Hyena wrote:I think you crossed the line for sure with what you sold honestly.

Im new to this whole situation...what did they sell?

Third-party parts for GW miniatures.

Best of luck, Nick.

I'm glad to see Chapterhouse wasn't just blowing smoke when they said they'd fight upon receiving the inevitable C&D.

I await the outcome with great interest. Shame it'll probably take a few years....

Mr Mystery wrote:Well, here's a hint. It's not been GW shamelessly exploiting another companies IP for their own personal gain.......

Did you ever watch any major SciFi movie of the last 40 years or read any major SciFi novel since WW2 and then compare it with GW 40k products (not to speak of Tolkien and Warhammer Fantasy)? Start with Star Wars, Aliens, Elric of Melniboné and the Starship Trooper novel!
Here is a hint for you:
http://web.archive.org/web/20071125132841/http://ca.geocities.com/crazy40kguy/namesandhomages.html
(just add http://web.archive.org/web/20071125132841/ in front of all links)

Anyway, this thread is not for repeating unprofessional accusations.
Good luck to you, Nick. Your lawyer defended google and ebay, so she might know a thing or two about copyright issues
Even if she can't represent you in Illinois.

So let me just say what we're NOT going to do in this thread:

- sling insults (or otherwise break Dakka rules)

- discuss ChapterHouse quality (start another thread)

- armchair litigate (if you're interested, read about it here or here)

The topic is "CH has counsel." Please stay on-topic here, people, or we will lock the thread.

Kroothawk wrote:

Mr Mystery wrote:Well, here's a hint. It's not been GW shamelessly exploiting another companies IP for their own personal gain.......

Did you ever watch any major SciFi movie of the last 40 years or read any major SciFi novel since WW2 and then compare it with GW 40k products (not to speak of Tolkien and Warhammer Fantasy)? Start with Star Wars, Aliens, Elric of Melniboné and the Starship Trooper novel!
Here is a hint for you:
http://web.archive.org/web/20071125132841/http://ca.geocities.com/crazy40kguy/namesandhomages.html
(just add http://web.archive.org/web/20071125132841/ in front of all links)

Anyway, this thread is not for repeating unprofessional accusations.
Good luck to you, Nick. Your lawyer defended google and ebay, so she might know a thing or two about copyright issues
Even if she can't represent you in Illinois.

Kroothawk,

Shes admitted to the District court of Illinois, so she can appear in court there (they have branch offices and attorneys there as well).

Oh god no...the analogies..the analogies...

Announcement made. Do we need to re-hash this whole thing again?

No, we definitely do not. See my post above. ~Manchu

Good Luck Guys!

Manchu wrote:So let me just say what we're NOT going to do in this thread:

- sling insults (or otherwise break Dakka rules)

- discuss ChapterHouse quality (start another thread)

- armchair litigate (if you're interested, read about it here)

The topic is "CH has counsel." Please stay on-topic here, people, or we will lock the thread.

How abouts we just get rid of the off-subject post so we can keep the thread on target and not closed, purty please?

Done. But those are the conditions going forward, especially regarding the armchair litigation. That stuff definitely does not belong in News & Rumours. Thanks! ~Manchu

I personally support Chapterhouse in this whole deal. I've been wanting to pick up a few things from them for a while now. I can understand posting this to "clear the air" about certain things but to also possibly rouse some support from forum users. If thats the case then you have my full support.

Good luck to you Nick, I think this is just about the best possible development.

This is really a fascinating development, especially given GW's statements in their financial report about their use of IP.

Looking at GW's claimed IP, I see this as a great possability to trim them back; there is no doubt now that the ipressure will be on GW. If things are as they appear to be, this may well turn out to be one very expensive gamble for GW.

Kroothawk wrote:Good luck to you, Nick. Your lawyer defended google and ebay, so she might know a thing or two about copyright issues
Even if she can't represent you in Illinois.

Just to point out for those less versed in American law, because this suit is under Federal jurisdiction, admittance to any given state is irrelevant. I'm admitted only in New York state, but if someone wanted to fly me to Hawaii to represent them in a patent case (federal jurisdiction), there would be no trouble.

I say now as I have said to you before Nick, GL because in the end the outcome will still hurt one way or another. I don't want to see anyone loose their companies as I know how much effort one puts in to it.

Seems 'odd' to me that a law firm with such a 'pro bono' policy would choose to take on a case for a 'for profit commercial business' when there are no end to legitimate people who would need free legal representation. I would hardly consider a civil dispute between two commercial for-profit companies 'for the public good'.

They have done some pretty impressive cases...
http://winstonandstrawn.com/index.cfm?contentID=5&itemType=3

Non-profits, internation asylum, disabilities, preserving nature, child custody...

And a for profit company who makes plastic toys.

I agree with H.B.M.C.

Stop talking and let your lawyers handle it, be lucky they chose to represent you and leave it at that.

Now that I've done some housekeeping, let me also wish you good luck. I hope that a reasonable outcome will not be too long in the making!