Mixed Emotions...

.. are in store when you see something for sale on Ebay you are kind of looking for, as I did at lunch today. The item: JagdPanther's ZEPPELIN issue game from the old JagDpanther magazine.

Being kind of a zeppelin fan, I eagerly clicked on it, only to read this statement in the description:

QUOTE from Ebay:

From Jagdpanther Publications here is a copy of the game from Jagdpanther Magazine issue #5 (April 1974), The game is "ZEPPLIN", covering the German attempt to terrorize England during WW I using their fleet of zepplins and other airships.
The game components are not originals, but are reproductions. The map (16" x 20") is copied onto four sheets of blue 110-lb. card stock (original was in two pieces). Includes a 6-page rule booklet, a legal sized sheet of scenarios and charts on blue paper, a half sheet of paper counters on gray paper and a set of mounted and razor cut counters ready to play - 78 counters in total.

BONUS - Also includes a copy of an update from a later issue of Jagdpanther entitled "Zepplin: A Minor Tune-up".

NOTE: THESE ITEMS ARE NOW “PUBLIC DOMAIN” AS THE COPYRIGHT HAS EXPIRED. I AM OFFERING THESE ITEMS STARTING AT $5.00 AS A SERVICE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN ACCQUIRING THESE RARE AND HARD-TO-FIND GAMES. I AM NOT INFRINGING ON ANYONES COPYRIGHT.

-- "Sceditor" on Ebay.

This raised all kind of warning flags with me. Is the copyright expired because he says so? Does he know for certain who owns the intellectual property for this game? Stating something for a fact implies confidence, at least, but not neccesarily a true understanding of copyright law.

What's the appopriate thing to do? I don't wish to give this guy money for his reprint if it constitutes intellectual property theft.

In any event, I decided to send the guy a letter:

I thought copyright is supposed to be for fifty years plus. Besides, the intellectual property belongs to the publisher, even if they are defunct-- that's what Avalon Hill tells me, anyhow. Have you expressley asked the owners of this specific intellectual property and received their permission to reprint for your own gain? Your answer will impact on my decision to bid or not.

Thanks in advance,

(mrnizz)

I wonder if I'll even get an answer?