Jonathan Picklesimer
01-08-1997, 05:50 PM
Greetings!
Hold on a second here! The web page idea is good, and would be a lot of
fun to do! However, let us stop and think for a few about some practical
issues. May I remind you that TSR has already, and rightfully, stated
that we are not permitted to use any trademarks, or pictures that are
copywritten by TSR. So, the idea of an interactive map which allows one
to click on a particular state and receive information about the current
activities in that state as well as any kind of supplemental domain
description will not fly due to the use of the copywritten map of
Cerillia. Furhtermore, we msut be careful in how we approach this
project. I see the newletter as being a way for a group of people with a
common intrest to share information about a great campaign setting. If we
even attempt to make it more than that, an informal presentation of data,
material, and events that we have developed, then we run a serious risk
of walking all over TSRs toes. Now while some may find that not so
terribly disconcerting, trust me, the site that "owns" the web pages will!
I am realtively confident that TSR would not mind us forming a web page
where we can share information about what is happening in our worlds, and
share information about any domain descriptions and the like that we
develop on our own. However, we must realize that we cannot be the
end-all-and-be-all of the setting. TSR has plans for this campaign world
that we are, I am sure, unaware of. While we might say, "This is what we
ahve come up with." It cannot be something that TSR will endorse as
binding, the same way that we do not accept or adopt all of the things
which TSR produces.
I guess what I am trying to say is that we need to be aware that there
are certain things that we can and cannot do. We cannot use ANY TSR
logos or maps. While soliciting TSR for permission to make an informal
site may be a wise, and deifinitely appropriate thing to do, we must also
realize that they most likely will not sponsor such a site nor officially
recognize it as the standard, or provide it space on their servers. The
reason why they will not do this is because it would relinquish creative
control of their product to a situation where the quality of the writing
and the development of the world may not coincide with their objectives.
Personally, I do not see why TSR would object to us developing an
UNOFFICIAL site for us to share information about what is happening in
our games, and our own UNOFFICIAL maps and domain descriptions. Just do
not get overly starry eyed about them adopting us as a recognized,
legitimized extension of the Birthright campaign setting.
Sorry to be a downer, but we gotta stay a little realistic!
Jonathan
Hold on a second here! The web page idea is good, and would be a lot of
fun to do! However, let us stop and think for a few about some practical
issues. May I remind you that TSR has already, and rightfully, stated
that we are not permitted to use any trademarks, or pictures that are
copywritten by TSR. So, the idea of an interactive map which allows one
to click on a particular state and receive information about the current
activities in that state as well as any kind of supplemental domain
description will not fly due to the use of the copywritten map of
Cerillia. Furhtermore, we msut be careful in how we approach this
project. I see the newletter as being a way for a group of people with a
common intrest to share information about a great campaign setting. If we
even attempt to make it more than that, an informal presentation of data,
material, and events that we have developed, then we run a serious risk
of walking all over TSRs toes. Now while some may find that not so
terribly disconcerting, trust me, the site that "owns" the web pages will!
I am realtively confident that TSR would not mind us forming a web page
where we can share information about what is happening in our worlds, and
share information about any domain descriptions and the like that we
develop on our own. However, we must realize that we cannot be the
end-all-and-be-all of the setting. TSR has plans for this campaign world
that we are, I am sure, unaware of. While we might say, "This is what we
ahve come up with." It cannot be something that TSR will endorse as
binding, the same way that we do not accept or adopt all of the things
which TSR produces.
I guess what I am trying to say is that we need to be aware that there
are certain things that we can and cannot do. We cannot use ANY TSR
logos or maps. While soliciting TSR for permission to make an informal
site may be a wise, and deifinitely appropriate thing to do, we must also
realize that they most likely will not sponsor such a site nor officially
recognize it as the standard, or provide it space on their servers. The
reason why they will not do this is because it would relinquish creative
control of their product to a situation where the quality of the writing
and the development of the world may not coincide with their objectives.
Personally, I do not see why TSR would object to us developing an
UNOFFICIAL site for us to share information about what is happening in
our games, and our own UNOFFICIAL maps and domain descriptions. Just do
not get overly starry eyed about them adopting us as a recognized,
legitimized extension of the Birthright campaign setting.
Sorry to be a downer, but we gotta stay a little realistic!
Jonathan