I am a firm believer in that we, as humans that have been on this planet for 200k years, are inherently creative but almost nothing we make is 'original'. Everything we make is in some degree a 'stolen idea' or at a minimum an idea with it's origins in another person's creation. In other words, Everything we make stands on the shoulders of those before us.
That said, I recently made a PWYW character sheet available that looked similar to another's persons character sheet. I used his as design as inspiration, I even made that clear when I released my PDF version and suggested that if you like it, you should go support the original designer through the link in my blog post and on the itch page. He did not supply the option for a PDF, so I made one. I hand drew my version, so absolutely nothing was a copy. However, the other person threatened me with lawyering up and frankly, I do not give enough of a shit to deal with it so I simply removed it. I made a total of $13 on the pdf that I spent about three hours making. So, yeah, not worth the headache. Whatever, it is what it is.
I remember when the RPG community used to foster creativity. We built on each other's ideas, freely sharing and creating at a whim, but I guess those days are long gone. Now it is all about money.
I am entirely curious about what they thought was so unique about theirs that your inspired version was so terribly infringing.
ReplyDeleteThe ironic thing is the original creator probably found out about your sheet because you did the courteous thing in linking to them.
ReplyDeleteoh, and about the RPG community and money, there was a slight movement towards Creative Commons around the time WotC moved 5E to Creative Commons but sadly that seems to have died out.
ReplyDeleteI really miss the creativity and sharing that used to happen. I also miss my enthusiasm which has waned over the years.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much in-fighting and arguing these days. Politics surely has played a part (see the recent RPGNet block of any political posting that disagrees with theirs) and sadly has taken over a large part of our hobby, if not life.
DeleteI really miss the amazing community we had at G+ before politics seeped in and began this insanity present in the hobby today.
I remember the days of sharing and building on one another's content. G+ was a golden time in particular. Now it is all pay walls and patreons.
ReplyDeleteSamesies. Everyone is worried about a buck. We have become a hobby of money rather than the hobby of creativity that it used to be.
DeleteWow. Takes a special kind of stupid to get so bothered about a PWYW character sheet. What a butt nugget.
ReplyDeletewow, this is really unfortunate, it isnt like your version were even carbon copies, they were different, and I'd say better. I'm really bummed that I didnt get a chance to download before it was removed, I figured I had time...
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is. Thank you. Are you on X? PM me there and I will get the file to you.
DeleteI created an account, what is your handle there? I couldnt find you under mattjackson or MSJX
Delete@mjax0001
DeleteLamentable. People who threaten with lawyers very seldom can afford them over term. I envy your creative ability and am sorry it was stifled (more even in spirit than tangible form), but when it comes to Intellectual Property(ies), my suit and tie fit the battlefield. Tell the poor bastard he may be right, but you are not wrong. And you can help him much more than he can harm you. 'That which doesn't kill me, just makes me fucking angry' - Sharon Osbourne
ReplyDeleteThanks Huck, I appreciate the support.
Delete