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Regarding the legalities of using an authors work as the thematic base for a MUD I think the particularities of Tolkeins work should be commented upon.
As far as I am aware the bloke is still dead and the use of his work is controlled by his son, or at least it was for a substantial amount of time. One previous impact of this was in relation to film rights. While he was alive Tolkein opposed any and all filming of his works. After his death his son quickly sold the rights, leading to the awful feature length cartoon adaption. I cant see how any claims that the use of his works somehow conflicts with the auhtors intentions, in respect to the ethical dimension. In fact the use of his ideas, within a textual medium, might be considered flattering where he still alvice. Certainly more flattering than actively going against his expressed wishes, which has been done by the present copyright guardians.
The power of control and express wishes of an author tend to die with them, unfortunately. I think it is plainly obvious that the current copyright guardians care little about the views of Tolkein, above and beyond the cash value of the works. I dare say they would even go as far as licensing an Andrew Loyd Webber musical version if the price was right.
While legal questions may be raised over the use of Tolkeins IP I dont think an ethical question can be raised over a quality piece of work that strives to flatter his creation, in a medium close tohis own heart. Especially not by people who have already gone to great lengths to set him rolling in his grave.
On a seprate point, various code-bases have the stock Moria zone included, numerous games utilise the various races, and Smaug uses the name of a central character. Are we to see any MUDS with this code-base ,area, or racial references banned from the boards?
Its only a personal opinion but the SOI seems to repsect the integrity of Tolkeins vision, it isnt attempting to profit from the use of the material, it is introducing a new dimension to the textual ideals of tolkein, it isnt debasing the work through every and all cash generating avenues, and the owner is actively trying to approach those parties that may or may not provide permission. The MUD community has plenty more charcters, guilty of higher duplicity, and a few potential new rogues waiting to walk on stage.
Cant we just focus our exploitation efforts on them? Along with similar questions of duplicity, like why we still have P2P muds on the main listings and not a seperate listing. Muds that have been shown to be guilty of vote stimulating by unethical means and constantly posting misleading bullet paragraphs about their actual constituion.
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