Rivendell

[Rich H]

Well, we're all staying tuned...

And on the edges of our, metaphorical, seats as well!

[Hermes Serpent]

I was unable to extract anything more from Dom, Jon and the guys at Dragonmeet despite threats but I did get an interesting insight into M-e E and the approval process some of which I can relay. M-e E is a very small group of lawyers and they worry about IP very very much. I was told a tale of some issues that will illustrate this. A name is used for a NPC in material sent for approval, M-e E check via a web search engine for any reference to this name and it pops up that someone in Word of Warcraft used that for a character's name. Woah! say M-eE that Blizzard's IP we can't have that. Oh No, say C7 that's a common Anglo Saxon name, here's previous usage in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles written in the 7th century, OK say M-e E maybe prior usage will let us void any attempt by Blizzard to claim infringement of their IP.

That's lawyers for you, so keen to sue or not be sued by their fellows that common sense has long since left via the main door let alone the window.

This is why anything takes months and lot's of time and effort to bring anything involving third party IP to print if US based lawyers are involved.

We'll hear no complaints from US gamers about delays because it's all your fault!!!

Some details embellished for humourous purposes.

[Rich H]

Great post Hermes and the anecdote is *completely* unsurprising, unfortunately! The approval process for Middle Earth material is legendary. The guys at C7 must be making fatigue tests constantly as they make that (repeated) journey for each supplement and one can only wonder what other hazards they face!

[James Harrison]

What we don't realise is the lawers know exactly what they are doing... because they have an hourly rate ;P

(ok this is clearly not the case, but the thought amused me!)

[Hermes Serpent]

Actually James, I'm positive that your Hourly Rate comment is right on the money.

[James Harrison]

Gulp... Rivendell 2018!

[Rich H]

Gulp... Rivendell 2018!

Don't speak of such things!

[Valarian]

What we don't realise is the lawers know exactly what they are doing... because they have an hourly rate

Should have an SLA as well, for turnaround of quality control decision. I know in the game industry though, publishers push the company coding the game to the maximum before signing off on a game. Probably the same with this. Speculation is wonderful, but the upshot is that these products go through a slow license sign-off process. This is where the delays have hit, AFAIK.

[Hermes Serpent]

I shall be closely monitoring each post where the poster complains about delays and, if located in the US, I shall point them at this thread and tell them it's their fault.

[James Harrison]

To be fair, while I would love faster products, the quality of the products we have got has been so high I am happy for the wait... Possibly being forced to produces them at a slow pace gives the writers more time to keep things to such high standards. Although I do get the impression Cubicle 7 and high standards is a thing.

Oh and Hermes - LOL