> At 12:08 AM 12/13/96 -0500, you wrote:
Well, there is the first roadblock. I'd want to be certain that Jon has no
intention, now or in the future, of producing a FMA Fantasy game. I realize
that legally Jon can't copyright a game system, that he can only trademark
that system's name, but I think morally and ethically Jon "owns" the system.
If Jon has any intention at all of creating a fantasy game using the FMA
system, or even if he just wants to protect his creation, and he says that
he'd rather not see a fantasy game based on a FMA system, I'd back down to his
wishes. On the other hand, he may have no problems with a FMA fantasy game as
long as we don't use the FMA name.
Maybe Mike could let us know Jon's intention on a fantasy game, before we go
any further.
I suggest we hold off until we hear from Mike. If we get some sort of
go-ahead, we can put out a formal call for volunteers.
> BTW I also think that any set of rules, no matter how good they are,
It wouldn't be public domain. The creators would maintain the copyright and
(if Jon let's us use the FMA name, even if it's only as a reference) the FMA
trademark would be maintained. You lose both if you release it into the public
domain. However, the end result would be made available to all for the asking.
In this way, it would be more like the DBA variants published in magazines and
on the net.
For the record, I doubt that Mike would allow the use of the FMA trademark
(I'd probably do the same in his position).
Subsequent to my other post on this subject, no, the tag "FMA" should
_not_ be
used (it is a registered trademark of GZG). However, the idea of using opposed
dice of different types is a game mechanism and that cannot be copyrighted or
patented, so go ahead...
Also since it is not the intention to make commercial gain from such a net
based group project, I don't see a problem.
If it were illegal to use an idea like that, then most games published in the
last 30 years should be paying royalties to Don Featherstone, H.G.Wells being
long dead...
Mike Elliott, GZG
______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
Subject: For Mike E., A Question (FMA Fantasy)
Author: SMTP:owner-ftgzg-l@bolton.ac.uk/ at INTERNET
Date: 16/12/96 10:03
> At 12:08 AM 12/13/96 -0500, you wrote:
Well, there is the first roadblock. I'd want to be certain that Jon has no
intention, now or in the future, of producing a FMA Fantasy game. I realize
that legally Jon can't copyright a game system, that he can only trademark
that system's name, but I think morally and ethically Jon "owns" the system.
If Jon has any intention at all of creating a fantasy game using the FMA
system, or even if he just wants to protect his creation, and he says that
he'd rather not see a fantasy game based on a FMA system, I'd back down to his
wishes. On the other hand, he may have no problems with a FMA fantasy game as
long as we don't use the FMA name.
Maybe Mike could let us know Jon's intention on a fantasy game, before we go
any further.
I suggest we hold off until we hear from Mike. If we get some sort of
go-ahead, we can put out a formal call for volunteers.
> BTW I also think that any set of rules, no matter how good they are,
It wouldn't be public domain. The creators would maintain the copyright and
(if Jon let's us use the FMA name, even if it's only as a reference) the FMA
trademark would be maintained. You lose both if you release it into the public
domain. However, the end result would be made available to all for the asking.
In this way, it would be more like the DBA variants published in magazines and
on the net.
For the record, I doubt that Mike would allow the use of the FMA trademark
(I'd probably do the same in his position).
> At 04:02 PM 12/16/96 +0200, you wrote:
That's what I thought. Okay, we'll keep going but we won't use the FMA tag in
the final draft (assuming we get that far). We WILL put in an acknowledgement
to explain the source of our inspiration. If anything, Jon may actually get
some new converts out of this.
> [quoted text omitted]
Date sent: 17-DEC-1996 09:25:18
> That's what I thought. Okay, we'll keep going but we won't use the FMA
We could always ASK. "used with permission" is such a great phrase.
> Allan Goodall: agoodall@sympatico.ca
And could you include me in any discussions please.
> And could you include me in any discussions please.
I'd like to be included, also (like I don't have enough to keep track