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I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but apparently Alan Merrett, head of GW IP, has been given the boot.

Good. Another smart move in a series of them. Really turning things around in my eyes.

What a shame. He was looked upon with lots of grace and intelligence, and he will be sorely missed.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
What a shame. He was looked upon with lots of grace and intelligence, and he will be sorely missed.

I detect allot of sarcasm in your post.

If he's the head of IP wouldn't that make him responsible for all the shovelware moneygrab reskinned games we've seen? Like that line game with SM vs Orks that was a reskin of some game with cats vs dogs or some sort.
Hopefully they will replace him with someone with a bit more competence in regards to who can use their IP.

Source? There is nothing anywhere else on the internet but this thread....

His testimony in the CHS case suggested his title was purely nominal, as he apparently has no clue about what IP is, let alone want to do with it.

This was mentioned in the Matt Ward thread a few days ago, but if this is coming from a different source, it is looking increasingly likely.

I see him as the epitome of GW's culture of looking down on their own customers. Having a guy like that gone will only help. He should have gotten the boot after his disastrous waste of money on the Chapter House case.

Please keep in mind that Rule One is Be Polite and that applies to more than just the people posting in the thread. Criticism is okay; personal attacks are not. Thanks.

Merrett leaves. Ward must be taking his job. It's there for all to see.

 Azreal13 wrote:
His testimony in the CHS case suggested his title was purely nominal, as he apparently has no clue about what IP is, let alone want to do with it.

This was mentioned in the Matt Ward thread a few days ago, but if this is coming from a different source, it is looking increasingly likely.

This was on Matt thread

"So, on the subject of mr Merrett, I heard on the grapevine today. He left GW this morning. No verification yet."

I heard it on a grapevine of my own. Couldn't 100% guarantee accuracy, I'm a bit far down it.

That said, I would be surprised if it turned out to be untrue.

If true, it will be sad to see another person go who was there from the start. As much as it has been nice to see GW change into a less customer/community-hostile company, there is something to be said for continuity of vision, style, and tone when it comes to that magical late 70s through early 90s era of sci fi and fantasy.

Rarely have I ever had disdain for individual employees at GW. Merret, with his absurd copyright protests that undoubtedly lead GW to the concept of "everything we make is completely original" and resulted in obliteration of WHFB, is one of the few who fits the bill.

Now if they just rid of Kirby (even if he just parachutes out), they'll be an entirely different company.

 Manchu wrote:
If true, it will be sad to see another person go who was there from the start. As much as it has been nice to see GW change into a less customer/community-hostile company, there is something to be said for continuity of vision, style, and tone when it comes to that magical late 70s through early 90s era of sci fi and fantasy.

I certainly agree that it is, on one hand, sad to see a longtimer like that go. But, on the other hand, he was one of the biggest reasons for GW's problems in later years. His CHS testimony alone should, from a PR standpoint, have been enough to give him the boot.

 Fenrir Kitsune wrote:
Merrett leaves. Ward must be taking his job. It's there for all to see.

"Mat, how are we ever going to win this case?"
"Do you remember that Bloodtide story in the 5th edition GK codex?"
"Unfortu-Uh, yes..."
"Good. Get me a group of lawyers, a blender, and a paintbrush. I'm gonna make us some Wards."

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
His CHS testimony alone should, from a PR standpoint, have been enough to give him the boot.

As far as PR goes, nutters like us posting on a forum are the only ones who care - and I doubt we move GW's bottom line. As far as the testimony goes, and the whole CHS action for that matter, it's hardly fair to blame the witnesses for being sorely underprepared much less for a woefully inadequate approach to the case generally. That's as much as I'll say about the matter.

The man leaving doesn't really mean much. It's who takes his job that matters.

I wouldn't be surprised if nobody did. "Head of IP" whiffs of "we need to give Alan something to do" as far as job titles go.

For gamers?

This is...great news!

 Azreal13 wrote:
I wouldn't be surprised if nobody did. "Head of IP" whiffs of "we need to give Alan something to do" as far as job titles go.

Well, IP management IS a legitimate corporate position. From personal experience, it does make a difference who holds it.

I seem to remember that he was a sort of librarian of the lore, not an actual lawyer charged with ensuring the security of the company's output. A literal head of the IP.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Alpharius wrote:
For gamers?

This is...great news!

Especially for anyone who likes Genestealers if legend is to be believed!

 Avatar 720 wrote:

 Fenrir Kitsune wrote:
Merrett leaves. Ward must be taking his job. It's there for all to see.

"Mat, how are we ever going to win this case?"
"Do you remember that Bloodtide story in the 5th edition GK codex?"
"Unfortu-Uh, yes..."
"Good. Get me a group of lawyers, a blender, and a paintbrush. I'm gonna make us some Wards."

I want to create an armies on parade board with Adepta Sororitas slaughtering GKs, the board would be named : "Where's your Ward save now?!"

 Accolade wrote:
Rarely have I ever had disdain for individual employees at GW. Merret, with his absurd copyright protests that undoubtedly lead GW to the concept of "everything we make is completely original" and resulted in obliteration of WHFB, is one of the few who fits the bill.

Now if they just rid of Kirby (even if he just parachutes out), they'll be an entirely different company.

Well said.

I want to know Merrets Merit? What was his function the last years?

Couldn't'a happened to a nicer guy.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:

But, on the other hand, he was one of the biggest reasons for GW's problems in later years. His CHS testimony alone should, from a PR standpoint, have been enough to give him the boot.

What exactly happend there?

 Accolade wrote:


Now if they just rid of Kirby (even if he just parachutes out), they'll be an entirely different company.

Well, apart from the pricing insanity and crappy rules.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Is it confirmed that he was "given the boot"? He could have just retired as he must be around that age.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Couldn't'a happened to a nicer guy.

I don't mean to read to much into this comment. It comes across that you did not have a great working relationship.

I'm not sure if you personally would of had to when working on the FFG RPGs. But like I said, It sort of reads that way.

Never worked with him, though everything we did had to go through his department from what I'm told.

What you're really seeing there is my feelings after being put through the Rule #1 filter.

Alan is a pretty big deal in GW. If you read Kirby's preambles, when he discusses what it is that GW do, Alan sometimes gets a mention. He's the guy that understands GW's business, what it is they do, who their customers are, how to sell to them, and so on.