redstripe

I'd like to suggest that Malifaux is such a unique setting because we -don't- have ubiquitous tropes like werewolves and vampires.

From what I've read on the subject, the "method" must be duplicated exactly and in its entirety to be considered infringement. Of course that never happens, there is invariably going to be differences in the way two independent companies do things and so the extent of the variation is up to a judge to decide whether or not it constitutes infringement. But if it goes to a judge, that means it involves lawyers. Even if Outrider or Sabol are not infringing on a patent, the threat of legal fees in order to defend against Battle Foam's claims could be enough to get them to change their product or their behavior.

A "Method" claim is a particular and specifically defined justification for a US patent. The examples you give aren't really relevant. These processes do not interact with a market (and they do not meet the criteria for being "novel" or "unobvious".) You can absolutely patent a process. A "claim" is an integral part of the patent document and a claim on a "method" (or process) is a legally accepted claim. A recent process that was in the news was Amazon.com's patent on "1-Click" buying. If you feel that Battle Foam's claims on their tray making process are inane, Google the 1-Click patent. Method Patents are relatively common. Potato Chips are made by a variety of companies, however there are existing patents on methods to produce potato chips. A quick google search turned up: United States Patent 5085137 (which can be viewed on a few free patent search sites, including...) http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5085137.html and http://www.wikipatents.com/US-Patent-5085137 In the end, all that matters is if the US Patent office believes that the process meets a standardized set of criteria (in which "novelty" and "unobviousness" are clearly defined.) Despite Sabol's claims that such a patent is ridiculous, if Battle Foam shows that its process is novel enough, the USPTO may issue their patent. The date of the filing is important, too. It sets a benchmark by which Battle Foam might claim damages, should Sabol or Outrider be found infringing upon their patent at a future date. Apart from all of this, I have no doubt that Battle Foam's intent is to apply a chilling effect on Sabol and Outrider's sales by suggesting their sales may be subject to future penalties.

A few requests about Molly, and some of that information is: She grants access to the Reconstructed Dead Special Forces. She has Slow to Die and Hard to Wound and she's also Pitiful (she's a very sick girl.) Her actions are: Impossible Knowledge, The Gorgoneion, Uncontrolled Crying, and Reveal Phillip. Her Spells are: Whispered Secret, Terrible Secret, The Philosophy of Uncertainty, and The Shocking Truth. She has a talent that allows her to take a particular totem with her, as if she were a Master. It is called "The Necrotic Machine" and it is an artifact of Old Malifaux that seems to identify her as an agent of The Gorgon and follows her because of that connection. Her picture in the book shows her holding Phillip's Head against her chest. She has a few abilities that modify fate flips, cause terror, and a spell that kills the target outright.

Beautiful work. I'm always impressed by your stuff jmp!

I feel this way, too. When you win a game, it really feels like a victory. Someone can't say "Oh, wow, the dice won that game for you." You win or you lose due to the way you play. There are very few shallow victories.

You get home from the mine, the wireless is on the fritz, and the pub's closed early because of another brawl. What else are you going to do? You're going to make babies. That's why there are so many kids in Malifaux!

Neverborn Architecture, (if they even build buildings anymore) would most prominently be represented by the City of Malifaux itself. If the Neverborn are the remnants of the people who built that City, the Streets, Buildings, and Sewers of Malifaux terrain sets that are being released would be Neverborn Architecture.

I'm not sure I would attempt to seduce a Viktoria. One of them is a Neverborn doppelganger and who knows what kind of crazy swamp-born STDs a Neverborn might be carrying? Flaming Bayou Herpes?

It may be that Hoffman and Ramos have a history together, as well.

I've seen similar posts from you at a couple other places, dboeren. Punk Zombies are strong models on their own, without any support. If you feel like including them, they're going to work. If you don't feel like they fit her theme, there are a great number of other options for Kirai in the new book. What is shown in her boxset and the first blister releases are just a touch of what is available. I personally feel that they do fit with her thematically (with no regard to the rules) and their shared Nipponese origin is even referenced at one point.

I've been a fan of yours for a long time, Jess... but man this was a great season of Doctor Who, wasn't it? That Van Gogh episode was wicked powerful.