Whatever guys. Thank you for your support.

I accept money from FGU to feed my children, Drosta. If I produce a V&V supplement, it reflects on my employer, therefore in the spirit of my relationship with my publisher, to contribute a freebie, I had to ensure that it was a sanctioned effort...

There is no reason that FGU can't be a viable contributor. I'm sorry you disagree, really I am. I am also sorry if support is now lost -
The stance that MHG has taken has everyone polarized and it is flat wrong. What if, in fact, they turn out to be wrong?

Until an actual arbitration or hearing takes place, Monkey House can say what they will, but it doesn't make them right. And all the armchair QBs around here (Mr. Shock...) saying what they believe is law is just silly, so until then, why can't you gentlemen live and let live?

If MHG turns out on top, I'll play happily by their rules.
Yea, this whole thing sucks, but your version of the good stuff is just as tainted.

Grow up.

Actually both FGU and MHG have trademark applications in place. I just read about it at Critical Fumble. I tried to post a link but it looks like I don't have privlidges to do so yet. I got a dialogue box saying I can't post links.

At any rate, MHG might put out press releases saying it is the sole owner of the trademark, but it doesn't. The trademark office has both FGU and MHG listed as applicants. Putting out a press release don't make something legally approved yet. no offense intended to MHG.

There's some good discussion happening about this topic at other forums.

Duroon wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2010 at 8:02pm:


So maybe everything out of the words of Brent the Lawyer isn't 100 percent the gospel truth 100 percent of the time. 

I was unaware of the trademark application by FGU. well now I am. That does not change my opinion that Jeff Dee and Jack Herman are and should be the legitimate owners of V&V. I'm not a lawyer and obviously this will need to be sorted out by lawyers.

For over 20 years, from 1987 to recently, FGU sat on V&V. They doled out whatever miniscule royalties they had to but essentially they failed to promote the game with new product, grow the market, advertise or in any way actually support the game. Continuing to reprint limited quantities of old stock (or putting it out in PDF format, which may or more not constitute it being "in print") does not qualify as being an active publisher. They probably cost the creators a lot of money by burying the game like that.

That alone makes me far more inclined to support MHG.

Allen

P.S. I did return to correct my misconception regarding the trademark issue. I still have no intention of supporting the fanzine under the present situation.

  I usually don't chime in on these sections but I'm a bit confused. It was already stated right from the beginning that The Fanzine was supposed to be both fun and free.

Great Idea for everyone involved. There are individuals who all want to make contributions each in their own ways and someone actually just came up with starting the whole thing because they love the game. I guess I'm just confused what all the issues everyone has with each other are.

I've been told that since I'm not really used to going on Forums that I should see how much arguing goes on all over them. Any kind of forum, not just V&V. I guess I'm still a Virgin when it comes to that. I thought the whole point was to enjoy the game, comics and other related thoughts.

So people want to post free ideas for all to enjoy and another individual wants to also do that but also put his mark on it for the future. Big deal. I would say that everyone takes all this way too seriously but it seems that everyone on these boards has been taking the game seriously for a very long time. If you all hadn't then it would have died out long ago and there would be no discussion over rights at this point in time. The game would be dead.

So all in all the Forum is filled with people who enjoy the game and have been keeping it alive for many years now.

Why not just enjoy it and leave it at that?

Of course you could continue to snipe at each other. I could always use a good read.

Jim Griffin

The Oni

Gentlemen, first off, I'm going to politely ask that all the arguing be taken to another thread, as this is not what I set this thread up for.

Second off, when I put out the idea of creating a FREE, (as you it's not costing any of you a freaking dime), fanzine, it was to help support a game I've enjoyed for decades, and to provide another outlet for people who want to contribute to V&V's recent resurgence. The idea isn't to take a dump on MHG, FGU, or anyone involved in the creation of V&V materials. This is supposed to be fun guys.

With that said, anyone who wishes to contribute, be it FGU, MHG, anyone working for contract for either of them, a fan, a pig dressed in a mini-skirt, is free to do so, as long as the contribution meets the very basic guidelines I put out. If you don't feel as though you can support the book, that's your choice, as I'm not going to hold a gun to anyone's head, nor am I going to beg you to check it out. But I do think you'll be missing out on what will hopefully be something you might actually like.

Also, I'll respect Drosta's wishes, and not post his article, which is a shame, because I feel he does excellent work, and has some very good tips to pass along to novices like me. Hopefully, at some point in future, all of this will be worked out, and we can just get back to enjoying V&V.

I am not too fond of how you described me in my mini skirt.   I have feelings too.

Tell me more about my eyes...

Duroon wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2010 at 8:13pm:
Not hiding. I just didn't have anthing more creative to say. I was trying to be honest. Most people don't use their real names, uh, ... Drosta??? You guys can buy from whatever company you want. I just stopped by to point out Chimaera's point about the trademark since it seems like that seems to be an ongoing discussion here. 

Lurker from another forum wrote on Aug 4^th, 2010 at 12:40am:

Real name is Jim, if your interested. I go by Drosta on some forums, Duroon on others, and Jim on still others (pdxdnd.org where I am the organizer of the group).

Dom, the stance you are taking is the one I hoped everyone could take on the fanzine and not try and push a personal agenda. That being said I apologize for pushing mine in this thread. I also will relent on what I said previously, the article I wrote is the first thing in a very long time I have written hoping that other people may read it. I would be honored if you include it in the zine but would understand if you don't want my input there at this point.

AK, I apologize, I know your trying to go forward with V&V as an author and hope you have success in that. My opinions have been expressed enough on the FGU vs MHG debate and I would rather move on at this point than continue to argue. The legal issues will get sorted by the people being paid for that sort of work.


p.s. If you're wondering what in the heck I am posting this at such an ungodly hour for, I am up getting ready for my flight to GenCon where there will be three, THREE, games of V&V run over the next few days!

Here is to one of the best games I have ever gotten to play, may it continue to have such a devoted fan base for many years to come!

Jim,
It's no sweat, just want to see the plants grow...
Have fun at GenCon (sooOOOOooo jealous )
I look forward to reading your experience there as I have never in my life been able to get to that great con in the east.
(forget the label I work for and just enjoy the good stuff, later on labels won't matter much)
Peace all.

AlabasterKnight wrote on Aug 4^th, 2010 at 1:17pm:


As of right now, I want to have it out no later than the 2nd week of September. Than every quarter after that.

Duroon wrote on Aug 9^th, 2010 at 12:43am:


We're looking forward to hearing about it, Drosta!   

Oops!  I *bumped* into this thread while searching the forum!

It seems to me that people have calmed down.