Howdy! Just dropping by to say hello!
AvatarForm wrote:Hi, sorry for the tl;dr question but:
Have you guys had any issues with GW copyright/IPR? I posted your links and propaganda on my club site and had admin jump down my throat about it... they claimed its full of infringements and threatened me with suspension and pulled the pics down. Can my club forum be pulled down by GW for infringements for posting your pics and links to your forums (where the rulkes are hosted)?
Legally, in order for a case against someone for copyright infringement certain legal parameters must be met;
1) The accused must claim (or lack the acknowledgment) that the Intellectual Property (IP) in question is theirs, and not of the legal owner.
In our case, we acknowledge that
GW own that IP regarding Warhammer
40k (Space Marines, background, etc) as well as some of the game mechanics. We do claim of owning the IP regarding Death Squads (logo, delivery of concept, math behind balancing). We also acknowledge
ht we are using
GW's IP without permission. If
GW (as an entity) wishes to insure their IP is protected, we could enter in negotiations with them on how best do that.
2) The work in question must damage the value of the legal IP.
We have taken great care in following the
GW's storilines, insuring that every single part of the game meets its primary goal; to enhance the players Warhammer
40k experience. Not only the player's experience is enhanced, but we promote the buying of
GW products (models, paints,e
tc) when available.
3) The work in question must be in direct competition with the legal IP owner's in such way that revenue is lost by the affected party.
GW has no
40k skirmish game, so there can not be a claim that because a player plays Death Squads, he would stop playing
GW's
40k skirmish game. Instead, Death Squads allows players to test models and armies, which can be then used in
40k (for which you need more models!) and Apocalypse (tons of models!) Players who get introduced to wargaming via Death Squads, also migrate to bigger armies. This translates in a direct revenue gain for
GW.
4) The work in question generates revenue and profit for the accused.
Death Squads was, is and always be FREE. We, the Developers, do NOT want any money for our work. We do NOT accept monetary donations of ANY kind. You feel you want to give us money? We tell you, go buy yourself a nice
GW model from your local store... play and have fun! We do this for the love and appreciation we have towards
40k, and
GW's IP.
So AvatarForm...
GW can NOT pull down your forum for posting a link anywhere. You have freedom of expression. As a courtesy, forums tend not to put stats on anything. The legality of this is non-existent, but when
GW stomps in the room, people rather do what the 800 pound Gorilla says. They have the cash to do those moves, and people do not want to invest in defending something they do not feel worth their time... c'mon, $1,000 just so a judge can tell
GW that you can say that a Guardsman has Strength 3? I have personally stand against the Gorilla before... it never goes to court (Who wants to spend $20,000 to try and force someone not to tell a Guardsman has Strength 3?)... and I will do it again. I'm ready to sit down with them and make them see the value of Death Squads for THEM (while they spend no money on it!)
Tell your paranoid Admin to stop by the Death Squads; forum. My lawyer can spank him.
That said, if your Admin does not want the links to be posted... don't do it. Be respectful and cordial on his domain.
NOW... on the question of what changed on TLRB v0.5.1b? TONS of stuff... ninja stuff! Heheheh... we did some Core Rules changes and additions, in preparation for the incoming of the Space Marines and the Traitors; staring XP and advancement scales. There are also the initial setup rules for Flying, and the economy got a well deserved revision, we polished the Advanced Critical Hit tables and much more. No new Squads... they will be arriving on the next revision. As a matter of fact, we are working on the next release (no ETA yet) as you read.
Take care!
7-1-4 ::8700+::
