31 replies to this topic

[Bud Crue]

Mycrus, on 24 October 2016 - 04:53 PM, said:

So much legal neck bearding... watch an episode of suits ang get it out of your collective systems...

In real life I may be a shi77y Mechwarrior but I play a fairly successful Intellectual Property attorney on TV. And in that persona I can tell you that without question only in a make believe world would someone take the case of alleged copyright infringement being suggested/bandied about here. Its a fun thing to discuss on a forum but something else when you have to spend several hundred/thousand dollars per hour to get anywhere.

Edited by Bud Crue, 24 October 2016 - 05:02 PM.

[Aresye]

TKSax, on 24 October 2016 - 02:08 PM, said:

Yes actually Peef asked them this week if they had a problem with and they said no one would mistake if for the Harvard logo so they did not have an issue with it. But of course that is not the point of what PGI is did/doing.

That's definitely good news for them. Something tells me Harvard is not the kind of place you'd like to get into a legal dispute with

[Deathlike]

Aresye, on 24 October 2016 - 05:02 PM, said:

That's definitely good news for them. Something tells me Harvard is not the kind of place you'd like to get into a legal dispute with

Would be amusing if PGI attempted to test their legal fates....

[DaZur]

Ghogiel, on 24 October 2016 - 03:57 PM, said:

I don't think people wonder why, I think most agree it's because "PGI", and it has nothing to do with copyright as most games that takes user submissions for paid content has a contract process where in you sign up to agree to specific usages. this differs to the MWO situation as there hasn't been any contract, and correct me if I am wrong they didn't know they were going to be selling their logos to the playerbase for profits in the next supporter pack.

We know PGI's track record on pulling bone-headed maneuvers... That said, not running this whole thing past legal for the sniff-test is really unheralded.

I wonder if this is really upper management incompetence or simply a case of putting too much faith in a subordinate to do due diligence...

Either way, it (once again) makes PGI look grossly incompetent. And that's coming from a fairly staunch misty-gray knight.

[Bud Crue]

I don't know Dazur, it seems to me that this is one of those: "wait, really?" moments of incredulity on PGI's part.
Here they go and provide a game that we all get hours of enjoyment playing and complaining about. Then they offer up this tournament wherein the winners get a big cash prize and get to participate in what PGI thinks is this super cool event called mechcon (spoiler: it isn't). Then they offer the finalists of all this super cool tournament with huge prizes the extra bonus of getting their team names and logos on actual in game content. Who wouldn't think this is just awesome and and honor, right?

I mean from PGI's perspective: we are letting these people play our game and giving them a chance to win serious cash, and letting them to participate in out little geek gatherering, AND putting their names and logos in the game! Who wouldn't be just blown away at the pure awesomeness of all that! Heck we might even let them meet Russ and Paul too. These poor ******** might just geek out right there and then!

Honestly, I don't think it ever crossed their collective mind that any player or participants would be offended, feel ripped off, or taken advantage of by this. I think they really thought they were honoring the participants, and that their 50% of the profits was a reasonable way to be compensated for putting in the effort to make the whole thing happen.

Oh well. What's done is done.

Edited by Bud Crue, 24 October 2016 - 05:44 PM.

[Ted Wayz]

GRiPSViGiL, on 24 October 2016 - 12:55 PM, said:

I stumbled upon the reddit thread by PEEFsmash about PGI not communicating or setting up profit sharing in terms of selling decals or likenesses of team's submitted logo/emblem art.

https://www.reddit.c...bottom-comments

http://mwomercs.com/...-finalist-pack/

Has this been resolved? What is the opinion of others in terms of what PGI should be allowed to do?

I already despise PGI as it is but I don't doubt that they tried to pass this by the teams participating.

Another reddit post with grmblings on the issue from the OP:

https://www.reddit.c...ad_about_mwowc/

Be surprised if PGI was not smart enough to have a clause where all content they put in game, including items they do not design, are their property. If CCP could figure it out I am hoping PGI could.

[Ghogiel]

Ted Wayz, on 24 October 2016 - 06:32 PM, said:

Be surprised if PGI was not smart enough to have a clause where all content they put in game, including items they do not design, are their property. If CCP could figure it out I am hoping PGI could.

Yeah because theycould totally claim ownership of anything they decided to put into the game. They should just porting other games content for maps and not bother making any of their own from now on. They made a clause after all.

[Andi Nagasia]

i think this is more of the,

World Champ Finalists get their Logos into the game for their Members(members of their Unit)
i dont think these are going to be avalable to just anyone, to buy with MC as that doesnt make much sense,

also the Turny supporter package that gave these Logos?
PGI already stated that wasnt the Intention as only those Finalists where supposed to get them,
to my under standing they have already been removed and are no longer a problem,

if you had a unit and PGI said they would Include your logo in the game for your Unit Members, would you say Yes?
if not, im sure PGI would just say Fine, and not add your Logo, this is ment as a Perk for those who made it that far,
not some money making skeem by PGI to steal Artwork,

[RAM]

Ghogiel, on 24 October 2016 - 01:01 PM, said:

I can't imagine anyone is going to open a case as that's already going to cost like $600 just to file.

Only $250...


RAM
ELH

[TKSax]

Bud Crue, on 24 October 2016 - 05:40 PM, said:

.Who wouldn't think this is just awesome and and honor, right?

I think the problem a lot of people have with it was PGI decided to turn it into a money-making venture for PGI (at first). Using the rep of those teams to make PGI money and make the tourney prize fund bigger. (Now just the Tourney Prize fund).

If it was simply here are you logos for being in the top 5 of each region for the members that participated oh and if you by the finals supported pack instead of a finals supporter medallion you will get one with that logo on it. I doubt anyone would have an issue. But to sell it from PGI's benefit at first and now just for the 3 teams that made the finals benefit without at least clearing it with the teams or compensating them in some way (does not have to be monetarily). Was short sighted for sure and I can see why some of the people on those teams are upset.

[Dr Wubs]

Ghogiel, on 24 October 2016 - 01:01 PM, said:

This is what lead to that PGI flip flop about the top 31 teams decals and them giving 100% of the proceeds to the WC prize pool instead of 50%.

My advise for original copyright holders is to send a C&D. If that is ignored then it's ggclose, I can't imagine anyone is going to open a case as that's already going to cost like $600 just to file.

Kickstart it.

[cazidin]

It's not enough for PGI to beg us to buy mechpacks. Now they're stealing art? Don't they have a pretty good art team?