Shadowrun editions and ownership

paladin2019 · Post by **paladin2019** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:35 am

I just downloaded the SR plug-in for Hero Lab and it notes the Topps copyright as 2005-2011.

Does Topps only hold copyright on stuff produced in that time period? What about new material for older editions?

Not just random curiosity. I'd like to know what the ramifications of distributing a SR3 plug-in, for example.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:39 am

My understanding is that the copyrights (except for moral rights) transfer along with the sale of the property, so Topps owns the copyright to all previously published material - they're just affirming their ownership of the material produced since they bought the property.

Nicephorus · Post by **Nicephorus** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:09 am

Ancient History wrote:My understanding is that the copyrights (except for moral rights) transfer along with the sale of the property

I think that's true unless the copyright is in the author's name. In that case, the specifics of the contracts determine if the contract is still valid with the new company. For example, when Avalon Hill went under and then got bought, many of it's games were by outside designers and the rights reverted to them.

Serious Paul · Post by **Serious Paul** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:56 pm

Tell me about this hero Lab? and these plug ins? Just curious, as I am in the market for an SR4 character generator.