Re: (TFT) Re: TFT copyrights

[<amorris5@concentric.net>]

>No. Though most gaming companies want you to think it is.
>
>The only way to infringe the copyright is to directly quote significant
>passages from the original sources. Singular terms, names, etc. don't 
>qualify.

Not entirely true.  Some words can be trademarked.  Admittedly, it's 
harder for companies to prove ownership, and it's typcially something 
pretty identifiable (it has to be or they'd have no case to earn the 
trademark in the first place), but it's possible.  Just look at the 
TSR/OSI battle over the use of the word "Avatar."  It was a ridiculous 
suit, but the companies were willing to fight over it.

Certainly the example of having three attribtutes called Strength, 
Dexterity, and Intelligence isn't a trademark infringement of any sort.  
However, if you consistently abbreviate them as ST, DX, and IQ, *and* if 
SJG or Howard can prove that those abbreviations in that order are easily 
recognizable as unique to their systems by the gaming public, they could 
win a case.  Of course, it would difficult to prove such a thing, but it 
is possible.

Fair use doesn't refer just to how much of the original material is 
quoted, but also how it's presented, and how it's used.

--Andrew M.
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