Re: Who owns a character?

From: Plod <roy@the-isles.demon.co.uk>

Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 00:00:00 +0000

I think regardless of any arguments I'd still use a Character which has
existed within the game if the game would benefit from its existence, or
if its sudden 'disappearance' would affect the enjoyment of the game for
the important people - the punters.
I'd probably remove said Character from the game after legal proceedings
were instigated - But not until. I DOUBT that a player is so vehemently
set against even the snottiest of GMs that they'd risk losing money on a
CourtCase or legal action that could go against them.

I always fight in the EXISTING players corner. Those no longer in THE GAME
are no longer relevant to most GMs, and certainly not to me. Naturally I'd
be concerned at the leaving player being so set against the GM and the
game to consider legal action, and I'd almost certainly welcome them back
(within region) - But its the Players who are important - Not the
EX-players.

Plod
Wyvern Games
www.the-isles.demon.co.uk

Greg Lindahl wrote:

> "Steve Pritchard" <steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk> writes:
>
> > Okay, last bit first - if the player wrote a novel based on his
> > adventures in the game, the GM may complain, but has not a legal leg
> > to stand upon. The GM has provided "ideas" (you can't copyright an
> > idea) and unless he has registered the NPC and place names as
> > copyright, he's shot any chance of getting anything out of it. As a
> > GM, I'd simply be flattered.
>
> Er, this advice is quite contrary to law, both in the UK and
> US. Authors file and win lawsuits on a regular basis along the lines
> of "Author X stole the idea of my character Foo and wrote a book
> exactly in the style of my book Bar, even though they did not copy any
> text verbatim from any of my books."
>
> In addition, names can't be copyrighted, only trademarked.
>
> Given that at least one gaming company has been destroyed by an
> intellectual property lawsuit (GDW, maybe AH over Civilization),
> you shoudn't trust what anyone (even me) tells you on Usenet.
>
> -- g
>

References

Re: Who owns a character?
"Steve Pritchard" <steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Wed, 19 Aug 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Who owns a character?
lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl)
Wed, 19 Aug 1998 00:00:00 +0000