Quote from: RPGPundit on February 28, 2022, 07:17:38 AM

Quote from: jeff37923 on February 27, 2022, 10:52:01 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit on February 27, 2022, 09:52:36 PM

Quote from: Omega on February 27, 2022, 10:05:07 AM
Over on BGG and RPGG they would be screeching about "spec work".

And while they go way overboard over there. It is something to watch out for that writers arent being essentially used this way. So far doesnt look it. But whenever someone uses the word "exposure" it throws up the red flags.

I'm pretty sure that the Game Jam makes money. Since it's itch.io it's probably small amounts of money, but anyways, it's not spec work.

This paragraph makes your statement questionable.

Yeah, I don't know. It's mostly used by lefty-indie people, but does anyone know of any case where someone has actually had their product abused in any way by the company itself? Is anyone complaining about anything that the company has done using that statement as justification? Or is this just badly-written legalese?

No, but itch.io hasn't been around for long either.

Maybe I'm just leery after seeing the WotC DnD 4E GSL crap and the Mongoose Publishing Traveller TAS fiasco.

Quote from: RPGPundit on February 28, 2022, 07:17:38 AM

Quote from: jeff37923 on February 27, 2022, 10:52:01 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit on February 27, 2022, 09:52:36 PM

Quote from: Omega on February 27, 2022, 10:05:07 AM
Over on BGG and RPGG they would be screeching about "spec work".

And while they go way overboard over there. It is something to watch out for that writers arent being essentially used this way. So far doesnt look it. But whenever someone uses the word "exposure" it throws up the red flags.

I'm pretty sure that the Game Jam makes money. Since it's itch.io it's probably small amounts of money, but anyways, it's not spec work.

This paragraph makes your statement questionable.

Yeah, I don't know. It's mostly used by lefty-indie people, but does anyone know of any case where someone has actually had their product abused in any way by the company itself? Is anyone complaining about anything that the company has done using that statement as justification? Or is this just badly-written legalese?

I'd say it's reasonable to assume any loophole that can be exploited eventually will be. That said, you have ask what the real risk here is for most users. I wouldn't want to try to make a living off selling stuff on itch.io, but as a way to host stuff you make primarily for fun and maybe make a little money on the side, it doesn't seem that bad.

Yes. And for the opportunity to produce a relatively small product that may not make you much money, but is likely to improve your recognition within the OSR.

Quote from: jeff37923 on February 27, 2022, 10:52:01 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit on February 27, 2022, 09:52:36 PM

Quote from: Omega on February 27, 2022, 10:05:07 AM
Over on BGG and RPGG they would be screeching about "spec work".

And while they go way overboard over there. It is something to watch out for that writers arent being essentially used this way. So far doesnt look it. But whenever someone uses the word "exposure" it throws up the red flags.

I'm pretty sure that the Game Jam makes money. Since it's itch.io it's probably small amounts of money, but anyways, it's not spec work.

This paragraph makes your statement questionable.

That is far as I can tell the platform's boilerplate. But the contests.

A-lot of sharing platforms have that now. BGG and Deviant Art are two that I know if, Even HeroForge has it, only moreso. And Palladoum was and likely still is, the worst with a "you post it online. We own it" boilerplate way back.

The big question is. For this contest are the publishers getting the material at the end or laying any claim to the works? If yes and the designers aren't getting paid then its spec work. If its just a "for fun help promote these publishers" sort of contest its walking the fine line. And it its "just for fun anything goes and we aren't claiming any of this" then it should be fine.

Years of seeing BGG swing between rabid nuttery attacks on - and fawning support on contests has left me with the general healthy urge to check first before either making accusations or giving something a pass.

Im fairly sure Pundit just used whats become a red flag, "exposure", without knowing it.

Quote from: Omega on March 01, 2022, 09:08:53 AM

Quote from: jeff37923 on February 27, 2022, 10:52:01 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit on February 27, 2022, 09:52:36 PM

Quote from: Omega on February 27, 2022, 10:05:07 AM
Over on BGG and RPGG they would be screeching about "spec work".

And while they go way overboard over there. It is something to watch out for that writers arent being essentially used this way. So far doesnt look it. But whenever someone uses the word "exposure" it throws up the red flags.

I'm pretty sure that the Game Jam makes money. Since it's itch.io it's probably small amounts of money, but anyways, it's not spec work.

This paragraph makes your statement questionable.

That is far as I can tell the platform's boilerplate. But the contests.

A-lot of sharing platforms have that now. BGG and Deviant Art are two that I know if, Even HeroForge has it, only moreso. And Palladoum was and likely still is, the worst with a "you post it online. We own it" boilerplate way back.

The big question is. For this contest are the publishers getting the material at the end or laying any claim to the works? If yes and the designers aren't getting paid then its spec work. If its just a "for fun help promote these publishers" sort of contest its walking the fine line. And it its "just for fun anything goes and we aren't claiming any of this" then it should be fine.

Years of seeing BGG swing between rabid nuttery attacks on - and fawning support on contests has left me with the general healthy urge to check first before either making accusations or giving something a pass.

Im fairly sure Pundit just used whats become a red flag, "exposure", without knowing it.

No. The creators own their work, and as far as I know any profits they get from sales on Itch.io go to the writers alone. The publishers of the games the works are based on do not get any profit from that work, only good publicity. Of course, some publisher might be really impressed with someone's work and offer them the chance to publish it on DTRPG or elsewhere as an official supplement.