20 replies to this topic

[HawkofStorms]

http://www.mmorpg.co...r-Alliance.html

In all new levels of stupidity, the owners of the Warhammer universe are now suing the owners of the most popular Warhammer Online fansite.

What the hell is that?  Way to completely kill off the small community they have left.  Luckily, I'm sure A.net would never do something this asinine and harmful to their playerbase.

This makes me question whether I want to buy the War40k MMO now (since this suit has nothing to do with Mythic).  If Games Workshop is so antifansite, what's to stop them from filing a lawsuit against the 40kMMO fansites.

[Arkhan]

Yeah Games Workshop happens to be run by moronic people and they do stupid crap like this all the time.

[Daeus]

You'd think after their recent multiple billing error debacle, they'd want to generate some good will. Not further piss off their fans.

[Arkhan]

The MMO is run by Mythic games and I'm pretty sure Games Workshop don't care about that MMO anymore.

[Bryant Again]

The billing issue was the nail in the coffin, this is simply pissing on the grave.

What the ****, GW?

[Huginn]

Dumb asses                                          .

Edited by Huginn, 08 May 2010 - 01:21 PM.

[Arkhan]

Bryant Again said:

The billing issue was the nail in the coffin, this is simply pissing on the grave.

What the ****, GW?

Pretty sure the billing screwup is Mythics fault since they are the ones that handle the game.

[johnny manhands]

lol another classic move from the poeple that brought you the Damnatus saga

[jondifool]

don't you guys think that is more to it than what you react on ?

what is warhammer alliance thesse days ? a fan site or a buisnees compagny ?

[Naut]

Well, when I played warhammer online. Warhammeralliance was the only decent fansite/forum out there. Used to complain how servers were unbalanced, rage between two factions and comment on classes.

However, I am aware that WAR have made their own forums. I think, for some stupid reason, their sueing so they can direct members to the offical forums..

[BBQman]

Next thing you know, they'll sue NCsoft/Anet for stealing their acronym (GW).

[Arghore]

What exactly are they sueing them for? that is the most interesting thing to know, since its not stated in the OP ?
*unless its in the link... doh ... ill try and find it there ...

[Ravious]

Arkhan said:

The MMO is run by Mythic games and I'm pretty sure Games Workshop don't care about that MMO anymore.

That's what I thought as well.

[Arghore]

Ok read ... well, some things are interesting, if the site sells Warhammer Copies (like models that are not made by the manufacturer), then i see them having a point ... The Warhammer Mark. registration does list:
under1. Software programs
under2. Magazines and Journals
Now it depends how the court deals with these, since a 'website' isnt realy listed as such, unless interpreted as such ... neither does it list URL's, and warhammeralliance, does use warhammer in its name, so it depends how they interpret 'distinquishability'

Use of Warhammer Mark logo's, if they are on the site and are used without consent, they have a point ...

Another interesting point is the claim of profits, now this will be a major factor i think in determaining 'Fansite from Business' ... so i hope the Curse guys did their accounting proper, if they make no to a very limited 'profit' (asin breadcrums that could be considdered 'goodwill') then i can see it morelikely being deemed as a fansite mainly covering operation costs, if they make a large profit, then its morelikely to be seen as a business and as such indeed infringing on copyrights or use of the Warhammer trademark for the conduct of business ... <- this will be a very determaining factor in these claims... because it distinguishes between business OR fansite ...

One thing though, im not a real Warhammer fan, but speaking like a Fan, if the above 'profit' is marginal, and the Alliance doesnt sell 'illigal copies' of warhammer products, then this lawsuit is damaging Warhammer more then this site ever could...

[HawkofStorms]

The lawsuit itself is sound in legal principle, and Games Workshop is known for enforcing its copyright.

It's just a really really stupid thing to do to anger your fan base

[Loken]

HawkofStorms said:

The lawsuit itself is sound in legal principle, and Games Workshop is known for enforcing its copyright.

It's just a really really stupid thing to do to anger your fan base

Depends, really. If Mythic gives royalties to Games Workshop in the form of a % of subscription profits then certainly, but that's unlikely. More likely is they got a percentage of the box sales, which have long since dried up. Games Workshop has little to lose other than damage to their reputation amongst MMO players, which aren't really their audience.

I don't think they have much to gain either. The only reason I can see for this decision is them avoiding setting a precedent for not punishing commercial websites that use copyrighted Warhammer artwork/assets.

[Intrepid]

It's just a scare tactic.  Normal people "freak out" when they are hit with a lawsuit.  Will do anything to make it go away.

There's no way Games Workshop can win on trademark infringement or cybersquatting. The URL has been used with their knowing of it for years.  They failed to protect that trademark. End of story.  Curse should push for it to go to court versus settling.  The judge will most likely dismiss the case.

[Simath]

They've frequently pulled nonsense like this in the past. If you post exact point values of miniatures and their upgrades on forums, Games Workshop considers it copyright infringement.

From Librarium-Online, a Warhammer Tabletop forum, rules regarding copyright infringement: "Specifically concerning Army Lists, posters may include the point costs for full units, but may not include individual costs or stat lines for models, equipment or upgrades."

Another example.

[HawkofStorms]

JR said:

Games Workshop has little to lose other than damage to their reputation amongst MMO players, which aren't really their audience.

Except, like I pointed out, that Warhammer 40k MMO that is getting info revealed on it in a couple of weeks at E3.  Bad timing.


I will not be buying that product now that I realize what jerks Games Workshop are to their fans.

[Gigashadow]

They are suing Curse Gaming, which is a business that took over the original fansite some years ago, and who run it as a business.  I can't find the post now, but the lawsuit only referers to the website since Curse took it over, not prior to that (when they explicitly OK'd it) when it was a non-commercial fansite.

Personally I'm happy to see that site go down in flames.  When I was playing Warhammer I stopped going there after mods on that site kept deleting my posts and replacing the text with "edited for content".

Edited by Gigashadow, 10 May 2010 - 12:31 AM.

[Mephster]

Well when you need the money to keep you game afloat... Make a good game and you won't need to sue anyone.