Re: Midgard

From: Stephen Weir <sweir@sweir.free-online.co.uk>

Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 01:45:47 +0000

madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral) wrote in
news:20040219062411.25856.00001695@mb-m23.aol.com:
>> True, but a very similar game called Midgard would probably fall foul
>> of Intellectual Property laws.
>>
> Its pretty unlikely it would, actually.  Its a pretty common thing in
> the game industry.

Colour me surprised that you would know about it then.

>> You'll find it very hard to copyright names from mythology.  I
>> believe there is a German RPG called Midgard.
>>
> Thats right.

Of course it's right.  I think you'll also find that Games Workshop has
taken numerous names from mythology, but can't copyright a single one of
them.

>> There are games out there that are similar to Midgard, but none of
>> them are Midgard.
>>
> Well of course they aren't...Midgard doesn't presently exist, so in
> order to be Midgard they would really have to stop running and simply
> threaten, year after year, to reappear someday..

<Yawn> How tiresome.

>> If they were obvious copies of Midgard it would be very easy to
>> contest.
>>
> You obviously have no experience whatsoever with intellectual property
> disputes if you really think that.

Looks like it's time to put up or shut up.

>> Besides, it'd be hard to run the game without a head.
>>
> <grin>  If you're joking, that was quite funny!  If you're serious, it
> was even funnier!

If I ever have the misfortune to be in your loathesome presence, you'll
be able to find out if I was serious or not.

>> Strange that it should be the first thing to pop into your head.
>>
> Mate, I was simply pulling your chain, you don't need to get uppity. :
> )

Let me get one thing straight.  I'm not your mate, pal, friend or even
associate.  You are unscrupulous pond scum, the type of genetic
excrement that I wipe off my shoe upon occasion.

And I find it strange, that you would choose to 'pull my chain' by
actively encouraging someone to copy the game that I own.  Did my
rejection of your derisory bid for Midgard leave you so bitter?

> If I was going to give up all my own designs and, instead, copy a game
> for fun and profit it would be one with some history of durability
> (and ideally one which was actually running somewhere successfully).

I'd hesitate to use the word 'design' when describing anything you've
regurgitated.  I didn't like the 'design' when KJC Games tried it in the
80s, and it certainly hasn't aged well.  All your 'designs' prove, is
that 10 year olds get too much pocket money.

> I would also have copied it, promoted it and launched it, and would be
> running it for real players by now.  If *you* ever actually do so,
> I'll be the first to congratulate you.  The hobby needs good new games
> (and good old games back again.)  What it really doesn't need is
> daydreamers with no ability to realise their promises.

Midgard will be released when *I* decide, not you.  And what the PBM
hobby doesn't need is more of your computer moderated 'designs' that
require *zero* imagination to play.

Now, I invite you to read the third line of my sig file, as it shall be
my last contact with you!

--
Stephen Weir

New Year's Resolution # 1: I will not argue with idiots on Usenet!
List of Games for Sale - http://www.glipe.free-online.co.uk
Midgard UK PBM - http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/midgard_uk_pbm/
Current eBay Auctions - http://makeashorterlink.com/?F1F521555
ICQ # 11472386

References

Re: Midgard
Stephen Weir <sweir@sweir.free-online.co.uk>
Thu, 19 Feb 2004 00:39:54 +0000
Re: Midgard
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Thu, 19 Feb 2004 11:24:11 +0000