tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post7374925512412317599..comments2024-03-26T14:06:27.135-07:00Comments on Havards Blackmoor Blog: Braunstein! Or Do Ethics Matter in OSR Publishing?Havard:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03672640381532559035noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-54350758295736659022015-05-21T19:11:36.933-07:002015-05-21T19:11:36.933-07:00Ethics matter. If Wesely asks for help with legal ...Ethics matter. If Wesely asks for help with legal fees, I would contribute.Baron Greystonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16636292202674906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-45149263460471743192015-05-21T16:31:56.312-07:002015-05-21T16:31:56.312-07:00Yes Ethics matter, if for no other reason than to ...Yes Ethics matter, if for no other reason than to prevent legal infringement Rodgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03031148096975681769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-6489895599410313142015-05-21T16:15:40.195-07:002015-05-21T16:15:40.195-07:00Illegal or unethical, I'm not sure.
Tacky as ...Illegal or unethical, I'm not sure.<br /><br />Tacky as hell, for sure.Michael (Gronan) Mornardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09581843850302136770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-15099332337652811222015-05-21T14:56:10.230-07:002015-05-21T14:56:10.230-07:00The concept of playing single characters in wargam...The concept of playing single characters in wargames was not unique to Braunstein. Cfr Tony Bath and Hyboria, or similar experiments in ancients gaming during the late sixties. So the idea itself probably cannot be claimed by anyone.<br />But implying a connection through the use of the name Braunstein is probably not entirely correct.<br /><br />I bought the booklet several months ago, but didn't have the chance to take a look at it yet.Phil Dutréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-23813915171572933722015-05-21T13:35:42.307-07:002015-05-21T13:35:42.307-07:00Not sure if Drivethru does refunds, but you can co...Not sure if Drivethru does refunds, but you can contact them here: http://support.drivethrurpg.com/anonymous_requests/new <br /> Havard:https://www.blogger.com/profile/03672640381532559035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-81071375589655534152015-05-21T13:17:19.824-07:002015-05-21T13:17:19.824-07:00I purchased this and now am not very happy. Does d...I purchased this and now am not very happy. Does drive thru do refunds?davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02095342572848900592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-26800329767487896122015-05-21T13:16:54.915-07:002015-05-21T13:16:54.915-07:00I purchased this and now am not very happy. Does d...I purchased this and now am not very happy. Does drive thru do refunds?davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02095342572848900592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-69684041944436443782015-05-21T12:07:21.882-07:002015-05-21T12:07:21.882-07:00The fact that some people (who may or may not be t...The fact that some people (who may or may not be the author operating under a pseudonym) have been vehemently defending the business decisions regarding this product makes me even more critical towards it. But it is certainly possible that these amateur publishers did not realize what they were doing. If so, hopefully their current contact with Wesely will convince them to set things straight. Havard:https://www.blogger.com/profile/03672640381532559035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-46095978616594977272015-05-21T11:32:29.011-07:002015-05-21T11:32:29.011-07:00Ethically it does look bad. But from the descripti...Ethically it does look bad. But from the description it sounds like they may not even have realized that "Braunstein" was the specific location of a Diplomacy-style game, rather than a generic term for such games. I've seen people use the term generically, right or wrong. But the fact that they refer to the 1960s and use the retro style cover makes me think they know better.<br />Not a lawyer but I don't think a name can be copyrighted. I think it would be a trademark issue, and I think that a trademark is only defensible if actually applied for beforehand, unlike copyright which is automatic. So I'd wonder if there is any real legal issue. <br /><br />Ethically they ought to have made an effort to clear using the name etc. with Mr. Wesley, and also to acknowledge that they, uh, appropriated the name.Mike Monacohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474135378521139178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306015663830354773.post-570882593744581882015-05-21T11:28:39.174-07:002015-05-21T11:28:39.174-07:00Ethics most certainly matter, in OSR publishing an...Ethics most certainly matter, in OSR publishing and everything else.<br /><br />The legality, and whether there was actually any copyright or trademark infringement involved is another question entirely (as titles and game rules are both not subject to copyright, but titles at least can be trademarked). Not beig a lawyer myself, and not knowing much more about the situation that you posted above, I have no idea if any actual infringement occurred, so I will refrain from casting judgement on the publisher's ethics or lack thereof for the moment.<br /><br />I hope that Mr. Wesley and the game publisher manage to work something out to the satisfaction of all parties involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com