CDRom Project News
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Aramis is referring to TSR's pdf on cds collection of Dragon Magazines from like Strategic Review (pre-Dragon) to Dragon#100 something. They attempted to reproduce everything in the magazine issues, from cover to cover including inserts. Even then I think they got into some hassle over their handling of this, mainly comic strips and/or artwork.
And that's the core of the matter.
FWIW Mr. Fugate appears around this post (link) answering questions.
Per Copy roayalties would have been part of the original deals...
And WOTC did not just try, they were required to include every ad. No changes, other than format.
TSR/Dragon didn't assert ownership of the all fiction; the only way to include it was the "Library Archive" exception, which allows whole-cloth reprints of collections of magazines for library archive purposes. Which, BTW, is a whole lot broader than it would seem... as library archives need not be sold only to libraries.
So, anything which was granted a per copy royalty would have to be paid that royalty per CD; anyone with a single publication, well, the library archive exception means they are SOL, if it appears in the correct context but simply on different media.
The real issue: Who got control over the Challenge copyrights? If no one person got them in the GDW breakup, but each got articles relevant to the systems they walked away with (Implied by statements by Marc and Frank at the time of the breakup), then NO ONE can do the complete archive... unless they track down all the relevant current holders.
And WOTC did not just try, they were required to include every ad. No changes, other than format.
TSR/Dragon didn't assert ownership of the all fiction; the only way to include it was the "Library Archive" exception, which allows whole-cloth reprints of collections of magazines for library archive purposes. Which, BTW, is a whole lot broader than it would seem... as library archives need not be sold only to libraries.
So, anything which was granted a per copy royalty would have to be paid that royalty per CD; anyone with a single publication, well, the library archive exception means they are SOL, if it appears in the correct context but simply on different media.
The real issue: Who got control over the Challenge copyrights? If no one person got them in the GDW breakup, but each got articles relevant to the systems they walked away with (Implied by statements by Marc and Frank at the time of the breakup), then NO ONE can do the complete archive... unless they track down all the relevant current holders.
I'm referring to the Dragon Archive missing some articles or inserts since there was at least one update and some "missing" downloads. Not everything made it onto the cd-roms.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/ex20020218a
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/ex20020218g
Best of luck on a Challenge magazine archive.
Joe was talking about the DGP stuff, specifically TD, being on the Rom's...
That Ain't Gonna Happen, since that was produced under a license, and the license is revoked (so RS can't do the archive, as it falls under the no pubs outside license), and RS won't relinquish the copyright on the material, so the licensor can't do it, either.
Challenge, however, is not DGP. It was a GDW house organ. I suspect it was parted out just like the product lines; Marc and Frank made comments to that effect on various lists.
That Ain't Gonna Happen, since that was produced under a license, and the license is revoked (so RS can't do the archive, as it falls under the no pubs outside license), and RS won't relinquish the copyright on the material, so the licensor can't do it, either.
Challenge, however, is not DGP. It was a GDW house organ. I suspect it was parted out just like the product lines; Marc and Frank made comments to that effect on various lists.
daltoncalford
SOC-12
Drive Thru RPG is now going to offer non-drm materials.
Do anyone know if the Traveller stuff is going to be released without DRM?
best regards
Dalton
Do anyone know if the Traveller stuff is going to be released without DRM?
best regards
Dalton
If they release the MegaTraveller PDFs without the obnoxious DRM on Drive Through RPG, I will buy all of them. I bought a lot of AD&D stuff (I have the books already) just for the convenience, and would already have done the same if it weren't for DriveThru RPG's obnoxious DRM. I will encourage the support of any non-DRM release by purchasing every MT product so released.
) but what does DRM mean?Digital Rights Management or Digital Restrictions Management. Basically a way to control digital files and restrict usage. That sounds worse than the intent, which is usually to protect copyrighted material.
There are several ways to do this and it's not limited to PDF files only. iTunes store's digital music the and some (most?) dvds come to mind. For a much better writeup see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Rights_Management
I wonder if they'll let people download a watermarked version of a file bought with DRM if one's available.
I don't mind a watermark that proves I'm the rightful owner compared to the hoops and ladders I've experienced with DRM.This is my complaint with DRM - having to DRM-enable every reader on every system.
I'm a computer geek, have many computers, and not all have a convenient way to get out to the net (nor would I want them all exposed TO the net) to go and enable the reader.
Besides which, this kind of DRM ties you to a proprietary vendor and essentially to an OS platform (mostly due to the vendors choices) and thus may not last.
A book (real one), I can pick up off a shelf after 20 years and I have all the 'software' and 'hardware' required to read it built in. With proprietary DRM, I may or may not be able to access my data later. And I don't mind the idea of paying an author for his work - but I do mind the idea I may not be able to get it later due to the fluctuations of the free market!
This sort of approach to DRM just sort of assumes you'd try to defraud the authors. If someone sells me a PDF, I will encourage friends to buy it if it makes sense, and won't allow it to be copied for someone else's use, doubly so when the costs of the PDF are sane (some at DTRPG are not... but that's not their doing (WOTC!)).
I've bought lots of stuff from RPGnow from out OOP AD&D stuff. I'll gladly buy all of the Traveller PDFs. I just won't do it as long as they have this particular DRM solution that requires I get a key from someone in the US to read any document. I've never done that with a paper book and I'm not going to encourage it in electronic formats.
Considering how ubiquitous scanners and photocopiers are, if you feel trusting enough to sell me a paper book and assume I won't duplicate it, then please extend me the same faith in PDF. Oddly, most of us actually *are* law abiding and in the gaming industry we *want* to support our chosen game producers to help them keep their head above water, at least any of us who are halfway smart.
So, just let us have the stuff in PDF format sans obnoxious DRM (I can live with a watermark instead or something like that if it isn't a legibility problem) and I'll gladly fork out my $$$.
I mean hell, it is a portable format and beats fighting for the books on E-bay! It has to be cheaper than that option.
I'm a computer geek, have many computers, and not all have a convenient way to get out to the net (nor would I want them all exposed TO the net) to go and enable the reader.
Besides which, this kind of DRM ties you to a proprietary vendor and essentially to an OS platform (mostly due to the vendors choices) and thus may not last.
A book (real one), I can pick up off a shelf after 20 years and I have all the 'software' and 'hardware' required to read it built in. With proprietary DRM, I may or may not be able to access my data later. And I don't mind the idea of paying an author for his work - but I do mind the idea I may not be able to get it later due to the fluctuations of the free market!
This sort of approach to DRM just sort of assumes you'd try to defraud the authors. If someone sells me a PDF, I will encourage friends to buy it if it makes sense, and won't allow it to be copied for someone else's use, doubly so when the costs of the PDF are sane (some at DTRPG are not... but that's not their doing (WOTC!)).
I've bought lots of stuff from RPGnow from out OOP AD&D stuff. I'll gladly buy all of the Traveller PDFs. I just won't do it as long as they have this particular DRM solution that requires I get a key from someone in the US to read any document. I've never done that with a paper book and I'm not going to encourage it in electronic formats.
Considering how ubiquitous scanners and photocopiers are, if you feel trusting enough to sell me a paper book and assume I won't duplicate it, then please extend me the same faith in PDF. Oddly, most of us actually *are* law abiding and in the gaming industry we *want* to support our chosen game producers to help them keep their head above water, at least any of us who are halfway smart.
So, just let us have the stuff in PDF format sans obnoxious DRM (I can live with a watermark instead or something like that if it isn't a legibility problem) and I'll gladly fork out my $$$.
I mean hell, it is a portable format and beats fighting for the books on E-bay! It has to be cheaper than that option.
Helps if I actually read the note they've put on their website. >.<Originally posted by Casey:
I wonder if they'll let people download a watermarked version of a file bought with DRM if one's available.
"As an added bonus, if you have previously purchased titles from a publisher in DRM format and those titles are converted to the watermarked format, your downloads will automatically be reactivated to allow you to download those books in the new format! You can do this under "My Account"."
daltoncalford
SOC-12
The big question is --- Will they watermark the GDW items???
The list of companies to convert to the new system does not include our beloved GDW materials.
Also, I downloaded the free sample watermark file, and found that it does not display in Acrobat Reader 5.10 - which means that it still will not work under linux.
Any word on how Marc is progressing with his scanning?
best regards
Dalton
The list of companies to convert to the new system does not include our beloved GDW materials.
Also, I downloaded the free sample watermark file, and found that it does not display in Acrobat Reader 5.10 - which means that it still will not work under linux.
Any word on how Marc is progressing with his scanning?
best regards
Dalton
Re: GDW being watermarked, that would have to be a decision for Marc in large part I'd guess. From what I understand, the decision to go with DTRPG and their DRM at the time wasn't one of 'what is most secure' but rather 'who would help out with scanning/conversion'. (I recall reading that on CotI I think, but I'm not sure if it is 'fact').
I would like to see CT or reprint stuff as PDF (watermarked or not).
I would like to see CT or reprint stuff as PDF (watermarked or not).
hunter
Ancient - Absent Friend
Marc just got the MT product pdfs back from the company handling the scans. Saw the Fighting Ship's one. Very nice!
He has to organize the structure of the CD and then he'll hand it over to me to design the CD interface. After that it should be available for sale.
Hunter
He has to organize the structure of the CD and then he'll hand it over to me to design the CD interface. After that it should be available for sale.
Hunter
mike wightman
SOC-14 10K
When can we pre-order it?
Will QLI be selling it?
Will it be available through your FLGS?
Will it be in a CD or DVD case?
How soon do you want the money...
Will QLI be selling it?
Will it be available through your FLGS?
Will it be in a CD or DVD case?
How soon do you want the money...
mike wightman
SOC-14 10K
p.s can we have the same thing for TNE next please 
