Original Bard's Tale Trilogy IP rights

[Infinitron]

Who owns them? EA or inXile? Or both?

Brian is selling the original trilogy along with the next-gen game these days, so you'd think he owns it all. Yet, I can't find any record on the Internet of inXile buying the rights from EA.

 

[Jaesun]

If I am reading the US copyright site correctly, it's still owned by EA.

It is possible inXile did an agreement with EA to do those ports?

 

[mondblut]

From the history of Fallout recently published, we learn that EA Wasteland rights would have expired and reverted back to IPLY after 7 years of unuse were it not for some bundle reissue that extended those rights 7 years further. So, I'd presume whatever Bard's Tale rights EA used to have, have long expired due to not being put to use.

 

[Average Manatee]

From the history of Fallout recently published, we learn that EA Wasteland rights would have expired and reverted back to IPLY after 7 years of unuse were it not for some bundle reissue that extended those rights 7 years further. So, I'd presume whatever Bard's Tale rights EA used to have, have long expired due to not being put to use.

That sounds like contractual obligations, which would only hold if the Bard's Tale contract had the same clause. On its own copyright basically lasts forever.

 

[Humanity has risen!]

Why don't you ask Mr. Fargo this question on Twitter? Or perhaps Crooked Bee might?

 

[mondblut]

That sounds like contractual obligations, which would only hold if the Bard's Tale contract had the same clause. On its own copyright basically lasts forever.

Since both Wasteland and Bard's Tale were developed by the same entity, published by the same entity, and all about the same time, I figure chances are high the clauses could be the same.

Didn't IPLY publish a bundle of RPGs containing BT on a cd sometimes in late 90s? "fantasy collection" or something like that.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Brother None should know.

 

[Luzur]

That sounds like contractual obligations, which would only hold if the Bard's Tale contract had the same clause. On its own copyright basically lasts forever.

Since both Wasteland and Bard's Tale were developed by the same entity, published by the same entity, and all about the same time, I figure chances are high the clauses could be the same.

Didn't IPLY publish a bundle of RPGs containing BT on a cd sometimes in late 90s? "fantasy collection" or something like that.

you are thinking about Ultimate RPG Archives, which indeed contains Bard's Tale 1-3 + conc set along with Dragon Wars and Wasteland.

 

[Infinitron]

That sounds like contractual obligations, which would only hold if the Bard's Tale contract had the same clause. On its own copyright basically lasts forever.

Since both Wasteland and Bard's Tale were developed by the same entity, published by the same entity, and all about the same time, I figure chances are high the clauses could be the same.

Didn't IPLY publish a bundle of RPGs containing BT on a cd sometimes in late 90s? "fantasy collection" or something like that.

you are thinking about Ultimate RPG Archives, which indeed contains Bard's Tale 1-3 + conc set along with Dragon Wars and Wasteland.

Not to mention Ultima Underworld 1 and 2(!), Wizardry Gold(!) and Might and Magic 4 and 5(!)

How they legally assembled that collection I have no idea

 

[Luzur]

That sounds like contractual obligations, which would only hold if the Bard's Tale contract had the same clause. On its own copyright basically lasts forever.

Since both Wasteland and Bard's Tale were developed by the same entity, published by the same entity, and all about the same time, I figure chances are high the clauses could be the same.

Didn't IPLY publish a bundle of RPGs containing BT on a cd sometimes in late 90s? "fantasy collection" or something like that.

you are thinking about Ultimate RPG Archives, which indeed contains Bard's Tale 1-3 + conc set along with Dragon Wars and Wasteland.

Not to mention Ultima Underworld 1 and 2 (!), Wizardry Gold(!) and Might and Magic 4 and 5(!)

How they legally assembled that collection I have no idea

with alot of cash, sex and daggers penetrating backsides in dark alleys i presume.

 

[Brother None]

Who owns them? EA or inXile? Or both?

It's pretty complex, but essentially both. Fargo's had nothing but praise for EA working with him in getting the old Bard's Tales out there, managing the Wasteland license and hopefully allowing the first to be rereleased eventually.

 

[Infinitron]

Who owns them? EA or inXile? Or both?

It's pretty complex, but essentially both. Fargo's had nothing but praise for EA working with him in getting the old Bard's Tales out there, managing the Wasteland license and hopefully allowing the first to be rereleased eventually.

Who's getting the $$$ from the sales?

 

[Brother None]

Who's getting the $$$ from the sales?

AFAIK, all of it goes to inXile. The deals they struck with EA to re-publish them were very reasonable.

 

[Infinitron]

Who's getting the $$$ from the sales?

AFAIK, all of it goes to inXile. The deals they struck with EA to re-publish them were very reasonable.

EA are actually bros when it comes to old franchises.