Skyrim LoTR Mod (MERP) shut down by WB - does this have implications for TATW?

[YippeeKiYay]

The person you referred with that comment was talking about steam games in general, so I tought you were talking too. Didn't know Skyrim needs Steam, what a shame...

Well, we're in a thread discussing a Skyrim mod and I said "for a game like Skyrim" in the post you quoted. I don't know how I could have been clearer.

Anyway, sorry for derailing the thread.

[Aikanár]

Hm, I don't know but "MERP" meaning Middle-Earth Role Playing(game) was a registered trademark when I last checked. Granted, that was back in 1995 when I played this PnP RPG, but back then it was a registered trademark whose creators had purchased a lisence to use the LotR lore from Tolkien Enterprises (i.e. Christopher Tolkien). I could imagine that the name used for this mod in conjunction with the rights, which might have been sold to WB (those of the original MERP, dunno about that) could play some role in this

[Toho]

WB doesn't have a chance, the developers should re-model everything that remotely resembles the movies and they should be fine, I mean in WTW we are taking every measure to completely avoid everything HBO. I doubt WB could say anything if the mod has nothing to do with LOTR movies and they can rename the game Middle-World and other cosmetic BS that no one really cares about but....

[LestaT]

New Mortal Kombat and Batmans are awesome... But they really don't make games, just publish them, atleast I pressume so. Was Witcher 2 also published by them?

In NA and AU. In EU Namco Bandai.

[Mhaedros]

The problem is that every single thing that was seen in the movies have been made to look like in the movies Even swords, like Sting or just random ones are exact copies of movie stuff

[Basileus of Byzantium]

How long does Warner Bros. have the IP for Lord of The Rings? I don't really know subjects concerning Intellectual Property but surely it must expire for them eventually.

[Mhaedros]

I think the usual exparation date is ten years after they got it, but I'm not completely sure how it is in the US

[Withwnar]

... "MERP" meaning Middle-Earth Role Playing(game) ...
I could imagine that the name used for this mod in conjunction with the rights, which might have been sold to WB (those of the original MERP, dunno about that) could play some role in this

The problem is that every single thing that was seen in the movies have been made to look like in the movies Even swords, like Sting or just random ones are exact copies of movie stuff

So if they change the title to something that does not fall under WB's control and rebuild things so that they don't look like the movies then maybe they would be free to carry on.

No small task but I would like the mod much more if it didn't look like the movies anyway.

Or is it even more than that? e.g. Do WB have rights to all LOTR names: characters, places, creatures, items, etc.

The petition is important and I have signed it but I can't help but feel that it won't move WB to abandon perceived profits. If they're going to truly throw their weight behind the enforcement of their rights (beyond this warning shot) then perhaps MERP could still live, so long as it doesn't encroach on the bounds of those rights.

[Beregond]

The word is spreading, ladies and gentlemen.

PCGamer has an article on the situation now.

All people who wish to show their support could also do so on http://www.warnerbros.com/ in Customer Service area and leave comments on their facebook page www.facebook.com/warnerbrosent

And don't forget to sign the petition if you haven't done so yet!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/...ate-greed.html

[jossilva]

"The MERP team => go to russia there is no WB or copyright))))"

I love Third Age and Skyrim ...
The potential for MERP, spectacular ...
There is always another way ...
Team of MERP not give up.

[Kahvipannu]

Thanks for the link Beregond.

So removing copyrighted names, any colleration to book storylines, and making the game private, and it is non-comercial project, wouldn't even change WB's mind huh? If WB can pull that off, that is ridiculous...

[Araporn]

As some people stated in the other forums. The popularity this mod is gaining now wont help MERP at all, sad to say.
WB will be even more determined to protect their IP from the possible money loss this mod will cause if left alone. Which is BS.

[Beregond]

well, I believe it's better than doing nothing. At least this way MERP has a chance. It could be like with the Retake Mass Effect movement, while it didn't actually achieve its goals, at least some concessions were made. While this campaign isn't nearly as popular as the uproar over ME3 endings (at least yet), it could also help the mod in question.

[Kahvipannu]

And I think this situation could affect modding-scene in general, in a good way or bad way... Specially if this goes to court, but as the devs stated, thankfully they won't go that far.

[Bowmaster]

Signed the petition. Really, all of you, if you have not done it yet, do it in three. Two. One. NOW!

[Vifarc]

In the market, the best petition is your sign on the paycheck.
That's why I don't buy Steam games. PC gamers gave their power and freedom to Steam, not me; Microsoft is already enough...

[Gimli10]

Don't relate the mod to LOTR then if you are going to remake the game not using the basic design layout and have an idea of how to make the armor and swords ect..

[Dutch-Balrog]

Don't relate the mod to LOTR then if you are going to remake the game not using the basic design layout and have an idea of how to make the armor and swords ect..

Not easy you know.. Basing a ME mod in the LotR time on something else then LotR.

Anyways, more then 5000 people have signed already and it's still accelerating.
There is still hope.

[Araporn]

It was posted on a Gamers site i follow and multiple people have signed it.

[Taran.]

"The MERP team => go to russia there is no WB or copyright))))"

I love Third Age and Skyrim ...
The potential for MERP, spectacular ...
There is always another way ...
Team of MERP not give up.

Well, Russia does have copyright laws, it is just that those aren't enforced (especially not when its a foreign copyright). Typical. Unless you bribe the judge of course