Topic: 'Turn Signal on a Land Raider' (Book) stopped by GW

[tryanotherone - smurfernating]

As the title says:

A snippet from a letter GW legal sent the TSOALR creator regarding making his strips into a series of books for commercial gain:

“So, in the case of TSOALR we’ve been very happy to let you put your web
comics up as a bit of fun. However, we can’t let you make money off of
what you’re doing because of the legal precedent it could set.

So, I’m afraid there’s just no way for us to allow you to sell TSOALR
prints. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It’s not that we don’t
like what you do, it’s just that for various commercial reasons we’re
unable to grant you permission to make commercial gain from what is,
ultimately, selling GW-owned imagery.”

So, the author of quite possibly the most well known 40k comic is calling it quits very shortly.

Thought the board would like to know

Credits to The_Chaplin

Here's the news from the creator himself.

Many things have contributed to the lack of a new comic for today but suffice it to say that you are witnessing the beginning of the end for Turn Signals. Since I am losing my job and health benefits, with no immediate prospects, I finally got off my duff last week and inquired about what I would have to do to get Turn Signals into a book for you all to purchase to possible alleviate some of my family’s financial stress. This is what I received back:

“So, in the case of TSOALR we’ve been very happy to let you put your web
comics up as a bit of fun. However, we can’t let you make money off of
what you’re doing because of the legal precedent it could set.

So, I’m afraid there’s just no way for us to allow you to sell TSOALR
prints. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It’s not that we don’t
like what you do, it’s just that for various commercial reasons we’re
unable to grant you permission to make commercial gain from what is,
ultimately, selling GW-owned imagery.”

I had hoped for better, but had no evidence to believe that it would be. I have reached a point in this endeavour where the effort to put up the comic is far outpacing the return, at least monitarily. Losing one’s job can tend to put things in a different perspective and I realize that my efforts must now be directed more toward supporting my family than supporting my ‘bit of fun.’ As Webmaster Larry said the other day “that shadow was always there” and i knew it too. So for now the comic wll continue, I owe my advertisers that much at least, but it will be ending and some time soon. I’m hoping to continue with web comics, with a fully marketable property, and I’m hoping that when I find it some of you will come read it. Anyway, TSOALR will be back on Friday. See you then.

http://tsoalr.com/

[Heretek]

I think the title should be made a little clearer, Try.

The TSOALR book was stopped by GW, he's stopping the webcomic himself. It's a small distinction, but it stops people from getting their blood up just glancing at the title.

[The GrimSqueaker]

Fixed topic.

Goes to show though, GW are quite lenient at times as long as you're not trying to make money off their IP.

[sonsoftaurus]

I guess they think that he doesn't make money off of the website, shirts etc...

As an aside, I doubt it would be worth the legal expense on his end, but I bet he'd have a good shot at winning any court challenge since the strip is pretty clearly satire.

[tryanotherone - smurfernating]

Thanks Rummy for acting that fast.

 

[Vespasian Swiper]

I think its rather ridiculous for when this book is effectively satire...

[Lorizael]

Meh, Turnsignals hasn't been good in aaaaages. I used to read it regularly but it just stopped being funny or in anyway amusing. Which is a shame as it started out really good.

It's fair of GW though; they're happy for webcomics but stopping people making money off of their images is fine.

[cormarrr]

It is too bad that GW felt the need to impose their legal muscle.  I hope that he consults with an actual lawyer though and doesn't just take GW's word for it that he can't do it.

I'm sure he doesn't want to spend the next 10 years in court with GW but spending a few hundred bucks to consult with a qualified professional might make sense.

The entire series is really done with love for GW.  I think the strip has lost some of its charm lately but I still read it.  GW could build up a lot of community support by hosting it themselves at their site.  Instead of driving people to 3rd party sites like TSOLR does now GW could use that as a way to drive traffic to their site.

Ah well, dare to dream.

[Interrogator_Chaplain]

I haven't read the comic in ages, I'd have definitely bought the book had it come out. I really think that GW should capitalize on these ventures, for a nominal fee they'd be able to get more notice on their products.

That's a shame though, like it or not that comic was a staple in GW fandom and this sorta seems like another beslubber you to the community with love from GW.

GW wake up and smell the bad policies!

[malicant]

I feel sorry for the guy finding himsel fin the situation he's in but I'm not at all surprised by GWs response.  It sucks for the guy but it's the law and sadly, that's not always fair.

However, if it were my call, I would allow him to produce a book.  GW would make some money and so would the guy, seems the best solution but I guess it throws up alot of legal stuff.

[Heretek]

That's a shame though, like it or not that comic was a staple in GW fandom and this sorta seems like another beslubber you to the community with love from GW.

Beg pardon?

For one thing, they didn't force him to stop making the comic. They didn't tell him to stop making the comic. They made no indication that he had to do anything other than not make a book and sell it for profit. He chose to stop because of his financial circumstances. Hell, GW even seemed to like it, judging by the tone of the letter.

[Greyshades]

I feel bad for the writer, but I understand GW position on this one. 

I don't see why a partnership is out of the question though.

[tryanotherone - smurfernating]

I hate to bring this up again but I re-read the original comment on TSOALR and it seems that meant that he will stop the web comic and not the comic book.

[[dixon]]

he was stopping the comic and going to make a new one that wasn't GW IP related so he could sell that.

should probably find a real job first though

[Lucky_Jackal]

I don't understanmd why GW doesn't make a deal with TSOALR.


Think about Bungie/Microsoft, and the deal they made with Rooster Teeth, so they could sell Red Vs. Blue DVD's. Good PR, supported the community, and they made money off Royalties. Red Vs. Blue out right mocked Halo Lore, and Gamer Culture. But that was why it was so funny. Gamers had to laght about the lore they loved, and the why they knew they them self acted. But it was this satire that make it so charming.


Car Companies, Sport Teams, and many other properties are as protected as vigorously as GW protects there property. But they still lieces there brand for it can be printed of Shirts, Hats, Belt Buckles, ect. Witch is a Win-Win for everyone.

Brand Owner makes Royalties, Middle Man makes some money, and the Fan Base gettes to show it's love.

Could you imagen how many people would wear TSOALR shirts if they didn't have to worry about GW legal and had more then just stand alone quotes?



This is all bad judgement on GW's part. I guess this is there fault for wanting to do everything "in house".

[Quetzlquatl]

I don't understanmd why GW doesn't make a deal with TSOALR   

     

They're just to arrogant and stupid to have an idea that good. If anyone involved in GW business management (not the game studio, the corporate executives) ever had a good idea either that persons head would explode (most likely) or his superiors would lynch him.   

Meh, Turnsignals hasn't been good in aaaaages. I used to read it regularly but it just stopped being funny or in anyway amusing. Which is a shame as it started out really good.

 
You're right it hasn't but I read it anyways. None of his comics have been any good for years.

[Lucky_Jackal]

I don't understanmd why GW doesn't make a deal with TSOALR   

     

They're just to arrogant and stupid to have an idea that good. If anyone involved in GW business management (not the game studio, the corporate executives) ever had a good idea either that persons head would explode (most likely) or his superiors would lynch him.   

It was more a rhetorical question.

[[dixon]]

I don't understanmd why GW doesn't make a deal with TSOALR   

    

They're just to arrogant and stupid to have an idea that good. If anyone involved in GW business management (not the game studio, the corporate executives) ever had a good idea either that persons head would explode (most likely) or his superiors would lynch him.  

     

well they must have some good ideas since they seem to make a lot of money!

[Bumbles]

I'd have thought that GW should just license it and make some money on the venture as well.

[Rasmus]

But then GW becomes liable for anything silly TSOALR does, and as such much exert creative control, organise with an office of editors, and the flood of other people (with varying talents) wanting the same deal for their products. I can fully see why they would not bother, as the cost would be a lot higher than the money they would stand to potentially gain from the book.