(TFT) RE: Copywrite Questions

["Gadda, Charles A" <charles.a.gadda@lmco.com>]

> I hate to stir the pot again on this issue, but here goes. I read through
> the (occasionally heated) discussion on copyrights, trademarks and patents
> and have a few questions. Most of the discussion focused on writing a
> computer version of Melee. My interest is different. I've given thought to
> publishing TFT material in the past, and the whole convoluted thread
> brought this back to mind.
> 
> #1 - What issues are involved with making a TFT compatible module? Now, I
> believe if I genericise it enough I should be all right. Seems to me that
> Mayfair Games made quite a few "Role Playing Supplements" that, by amazing
> coincidence, worked VERY well with AD&D rules ... To my knowledge, they
> never got into trouble for it. So, how far may one legally stretch this?
> At what point does the mention of certain rules, names or concepts become
> copywrite infringement?
> 
> #2 - I've perused threads going back to at least November of last year in
> an attempt to get more information on this whole copywrite concept as it
> pertains to TFT in general. The only additional question here regards
> whether or not a copywrite must be defended. I don't think so, but I've
> seen a couple of allusions to that concept and wanted to get to a concise
> answer. Twould be nice if it were true, wouldn't it?
> 
> #3 - Last one, though its a multi-parter. I've seen $250K mentioned as the
> asking price for the rights to TFT. Where exactly does this come from and
> how current is it? It occurs to me if that is just HT's offer to SJ, it
> may be that the price may be lower for someone OTHER than SJ or a
> representative of his. A corollary to this question is what is a realistic
> assessment of TFT's value? Would $10K or $25K be right? Mind you, this is
> theoretical as I don't have this kind of money (not on my salary ...) but
> I do have a reason for asking, as shall be seen. Would an offer to reprint
> and pay HT a certain percent of the profit be reasonable? That may be a
> stupid suggestion, but to me it makes sense; were I in his position, it
> might be nice to make a little effortless pocketchange at no risk by just
> giving someone permission to reprint rule books and the like that are
> otherwise not making any money whatsoever. Is there any record of someone
> making an offer like this? Any clue as to how it turned out? The last part
> isn't so much a question as an idea: while one person may not be able to
> afford the rights, a small group may be able to. But that entirely depends
> on how reasonable HT is, and does present complications of its own.
> 
> If someone else has made the above suggestions or provided answers to any
> of the above I apologize for repeating previous material; I'm a bit new to
> the list and haven't seen all of it. Appreciate any and all feedback.
> 
> <<<You know you're a Red Neck Jedi if you hear: "Luke, I am your father,
> and your uncle ...">>>
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