1809 replies to this topic

[Gosterro]

I just saw that Harmony Gold is back at their old tricks. Anything the player base needs to know about before we spend any more money on this game? I would hate to log in and find half the unseen mechs I paid for gone again. https://dockets.just...7cv00327/242820

Gosterro

Edited by Gosterro, 23 July 2017 - 12:14 PM.

[MadHornet]

*Distant screeching*


-Harmony Gold

[Y E O N N E]

And on what leg are they going to stand, this time? The 'Mechs have been redesigned. They don't look at all like their original versions, except maybe the Rifleman but that's a stretch.

[jss78]

I'm pretty sure PGI, HBS, and CGL saw this coming when they started putting out the new designs for tabletop and MWO.

Random thought: might this lawsuit be a reason why there's been this pause in releasing the remaining unseen for MWO? It always struck me as weird that they released, with great fanfare and to great sales, the Marauder/Warhammer/Rifleman/Archer/Phoenix Hawk, and then apparently forgot about the rest.

[Zergling]

Did a bit of google fu, it's a copyright infringement / intellectual property case. So yeah, Harmony Gold is up to its old tricks again... only this time HG doesn't have huge finances or the backing of big toy makers, while the other side has a much more sizeable warchest to defend itself with.

Also, the case isn't going to actual trial for over a year yet.

[Khobai]

blame the lawyers not harmony gold

theyre the ones behind convincing harmony gold to sue even if they have no case

lawyers dont care, they get paid regardless of whether they win or lose

[Valdarion Silarius]

They better not harass PGI about my pet mech or else....



Seriously, Canada needs to legalize dueling again so that whoever is behind these mindless quick money lawsuit schemes can get glove slapped.

[Luminis]

I'm no expert in Copyright Laws or anything, but I think there's something about losing one's copyright claims due to inaction. Might just be a token case for Harmony Gold to not lose claims due to remaining inactive for too long, so they can potentially keep up further lawsuits in the future.

But I only skimmed some articles on that matter, so that might be a completely false notion...

Edited by Luminis, 23 July 2017 - 12:49 PM.

[Valdarion Silarius]

jss78, on 23 July 2017 - 12:34 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure PGI, HBS, and CGL saw this coming when they started putting out the new designs for tabletop and MWO.

Random thought: might this lawsuit be a reason why there's been this pause in releasing the remaining unseen for MWO? It always struck me as weird that they released, with great fanfare and to great sales, the Marauder/Warhammer/Rifleman/Archer/Phoenix Hawk, and then apparently forgot about the rest.

It's a possibility. PGI went with the Project Phoenix Marauder IIC reseen artwork and will most likely do so with the RFL-IIC and the WHM-IIC unfortunately. On top of how random the MAD-IIC release was out of the blue back when it was released in MW:O. Even though Russ clearly stated that "they will stand and defend their mech designs" in court back when the IS Marauder mech was introduced into the game. I bought the IS Marauder standard pack just to support the unseens returning to the game, and I'm hoping that Alex goes with a more traditional unseenish look for all of the remaining unseens. I think he can pull it off.

[davoodoo]

Remind me what harmony gold is?? the company who owns unseen marauder??

[Scout Derek]

davoodoo, on 23 July 2017 - 12:54 PM, said:

Remind me what harmony gold is?? the company who owns unseen marauder??

yes, as well as back then dealings with PGI over copyrights for the Unseen mechs, some of which are now in-game after such a long time.





Here's a page from the document of them trying to claim copyright over generic features;




Like, I think HG just has a mental issue that their IP is failing whilst ours grows in interest for many years.

[FupDup]

davoodoo, on 23 July 2017 - 12:54 PM, said:

Remind me what harmony gold is?? the company who owns unseen marauder??

IMO I would let HG have the unseen Marauder, because its design is both extremely ugly and unrealistic in every imaginable way.

[Appogee]

I hope PGI don't use this as an excuse to unplug the MWO servers in a year's time.

[davoodoo]

ok marauder and i dont recognize that mech.

atlas is nothing like that, where are the shoulderplates?? legs are boxy while on art they are sleek. dafuq is that...

and shadowhawk with archer... really??

Edited by davoodoo, 23 July 2017 - 01:00 PM.

[Scout Derek]

davoodoo, on 23 July 2017 - 12:58 PM, said:

ok marauder and i dont recognize that mech.

atlas is pgi property so they can **** themselves

and shadowhawk with archer... really??

like I said; mental issues is their problem to be honest.

[Y E O N N E]

Scout Derek, on 23 July 2017 - 12:56 PM, said:

yes, as well as back then dealings with PGI over copyrights for the Unseen mechs, some of which are now in-game after such a long time.





Here's a page from the document of them trying to claim copyright over generic features;

TIL, a Locust looks like a Glaug Battle Pod.

Looks like they are trying to pull an Apple...

[Bud Crue]

Scout Derek, on 23 July 2017 - 12:56 PM, said:

yes, as well as back then dealings with PGI over copyrights for the Unseen mechs, some of which are now in-game after such a long time.





Here's a page from the document of them trying to claim copyright over generic features;




Like, I think HG just has a mental issue that their IP is failing whilst ours grows in interest for many years.

That right there looks like a clerk or Jr. attorney tasked with drafting the complaint screwed up the images in question. If that isn't a screw up, then at least that part of the complaint regarding those "infringing images" is gonna get tossed, unless the judge lets them amend the complaint again.

[Spheroid]

They have no case. This is nothing.

If they really cared they would have filed a brief in Canadian courts years ago when project Phoenix dropped.

[Khobai]

Quote

Like, I think HG just has a mental issue that their IP is failing whilst ours grows in interest for many years.

maybe but in the screwed up american legal system theres no penalty for frivolously suing and losing. especially if you have the cash to throw at a lawyer and the other guy doesnt.

in other countries if you lose a lawsuit you have to pay the legal costs of the person who won the lawsuit

that prevents frivolous lawsuits

Edited by Khobai, 23 July 2017 - 01:03 PM.

[naterist]

at this point this is the only way the company makes money. a battletech game comes along, they sue, get some cash, then wait for their bank accounts to empty before sueing again. its ********.