Notice: How to obtain a license for publishing T&T material

[gaptooth]

This popped up on the old Facebook the other day, posted by sscrompton:

QUICK NOTE TO T&T CREATORS:

Some of you may have noticed that we are asking about licenses for any T&T Products you might have created in the past or are planning on doing. We are doing this to protect T&T in the future, so that its rights do not fall into the "public domain." and thus ruin Ken and Flying Buffalo's ability to continue making books.

If you have done a T&T book that you are selling in some form either online or printed copies, we are asking you to please obtain a license from us to do so. You only have to pay us $1 upfront and then a 5% royalty if you are a small publisher. We just need to have a legal agreement with you to protect the T&T trademark and copyright. (It will also protect you) So if you do not have an actual contract please contact Me or Ken St. Andre to get a copy so you can sign it and return it to us.

Thanks for being creative and a fan - we are one of the few rpg companies that allow you to create and sell products using our game ans we want to continue that going forward!

I didn't see anything about it here, and I wanted to make sure it got out.

In the comments, Steve mentions that this does apply to free products like the TrollsZine!—the $1 license fee, anyway, since 5% of the revenue is still zero.

[mgtremaine]

Not sure how to ascribe the license to TrollsZine since it not really an entity but if that can be worked out I'm sure one of us would pony up the dollar (or even 1$ per issue if that was required.)

-Mike

[gaptooth]

Someone said the license covers any and all T&T-related products that one publishes for a term of 7 years, I think.

[zanshin]

As the original editor I'll happily pony up the licence fee. I don't do facebook. If I could be pointed to the right location I'll make sure we are fully legit

[khaboom]

I wonder if you can pay by PayPal?

[ProfGremlin]

Aug 21, 2019 3:46:04 GMT -5 zanshin said:

As the original editor...

Nice of you to offer, Zanshin, I was going to do the same thing. I don't have the bandwidth to look into it right at this moment but perhaps this weekend if things don't get to crazy...

[Piper]

Ive contacted Steve Crompton about the paperwork and methods of remuneration. I’ll let you know when I hear something. I assume he’s rather busy with the MSPE KS and Rick’s hospitalization so it may be a while.

[Piper]

Aug 22, 2019 11:53:30 GMT -5 Piper said:

Ive contacted Steve Crompton about the paperwork and methods of remuneration. I’ll let you know when I hear something. I assume he’s rather busy with the MSPE KS and Rick’s hospitalization so it may be a while.

Okay, a bit of a follow up: I've contacted Steve twice and have received no answer. I know he's busy in the wake of Rick's passing (may he RIP) so I messaged KSA instead. Ken said that was Steve's (and FBI's) bailiwick and I'd have to go through him. He also suggested offering a token commission (he suggested 1% on all sales go to FB Inc.) as a gesture of respect. I'll continue to keep everyone posted.

Let's not be bombarding Steve Crompton with requests. I'm guessing the man is dealing with a lot right now. When I hear from him I'll pass on any pertinent info to all of you.

[speed1000]

Any thing new to add on this? I have an adventure about ready to go. I originally thought of PDF only but since I work at a printer it makes sense to go the kickstarter route and have them printed. I'll contact Steve and see.

[Piper]

Aug 2, 2020 20:51:28 GMT -5 speed1000 said:

Any thing new to add on this? I have an adventure about ready to go. I originally thought of PDF only but since I work at a printer it makes sense to go the kickstarter route and have them printed. I'll contact Steve and see.

I get the impression Steve is a very busy man. I've contacted him several times, he's agreed to send the document at least twice, but I never received anything. I don't hold it against him, by the way, he had a lot dumped in his lap with Rick's passing (both personal and professional). I'd say keep trying but remember he's got a pretty full plate and be patient with him.

[darrght]

Hi @piper

Here is what Steve sent us at TavernMaster Games. If you message me with your email address, I'll send you the word document.


TUNNELS & TROLLS / DELUXE TUNNELS & TROLLS
LICENSING RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This is an agreement between Flying Buffalo Inc. (Licensor) and
[ LICENSEE ] NAME (Licensee) made and entered into effective as of [ DATE ]
in regards to licensing the rights to use the following trademarks and copyrighted rules known as:
T&T, Tunnels and Trolls, Tunnels & Trolls or Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls. (Tunnels & Trolls)
The agreement is as follows:

WHEREAS, Licensor, (Flying Buffalo) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, is willing to permit Licensee to use the Trademark in connection with publishing Tunnels & Trolls rpg game supplements for the mutual benefit of Licensor and Licensee.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the mutual covenants set forth below, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT: Flying Buffalo Inc. grants _________________________ (Licensee) the right to use the name and trademark for the role-playing game and fantasy setting known as TUNNELS & TROLLS.
The parties agree as follows:
Scope of License. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Licensor grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use the Tunnels & Trolls Trademarks throughout the world. Licensee shall make no other use of the Trademark. This agreement grants the permission to use the Tunnels & Trolls trademark, logo, rules, related names, (T&T, dT&T), characters, or world settings connected to Tunnels & Trolls.
Consideration. Licensee will pay the sum of one (1) dollar within seven days of the signing of this agreement. Also a 6% royalty of the cover price of the product or any related products will be sent via paypal to [e-mail] In addition, two (2) pdf copies of any products produced by the licensee bearing the trademark or related Tunnels & Trolls will be sent to Flying Buffalo at P. O. Box 8467, Scottsdale, AZ 85252.
Non-Assignment. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that the rights granted to Licensee by and obtained by Licensee as a result of or in connection with this Agreement are license rights only, and nothing contained in this Agreement constitutes or shall be construed to be an assignment of any or all of Licensor’s rights in the Trademark. No permission is granted for use of any art or maps from Flying Buffalo publications without express (separate) permission from Flying Buffalo and or the artist who created said works. No other T&T trademark or logo from any other publisher should be used without express permission from Flying Buffalo
Initial Term. This agreement will begin on the Effective Date of signing of this document by both parties, as written and signed below, and end seven years from the date of the mutual signing of this document (the “Term”), unless terminated earlier by Flying Buffalo and at Flying Buffalo’s disgression.
Renewal Terms. Following the initial term, this agreement will automatically renew for successive 7 year terms, unless terminated earlier by the Licensee or the Licensor. If a party elects not to renew this agreement, that party shall provide notice of that intention to the other party at least 30 days before the renewal date. Once terminated, licensee will no longer be able to sell or market any new or existing materials using or displaying the Trademark(s) owned by Flying Buffalo.

Revocation of License. License shall automatically terminate without notice from Licensor shall automatically terminate without notice from Licensor if (i) Licensee attempts to assign, sub-license, transfer or otherwise convey, without first obtaining Licensor’s written consent, any of the rights granted to Licensee by or in connection with this Agreement; (ii) Licensee uses the Trademark in a manner in violation of, or otherwise inconsistent with, the restrictions imposed by or in connection with Section 3 of this Agreement; or (iii) Licensee uses the Trademark in a manner not expressly permitted by this Agreement; or (iv) Licensee uses the Trademark with published materials that are offensive, violate other copyrighted material, or damages the reputation of Flying Buffalo or Tunnels & Trolls.

Effect of Termination. All rights granted by this Agreement, including, without limitation, Licensee’s right to use the Trademark, shall expire upon termination of this Agreement. Upon termination Licensee shall immediately cease and desist from all further use of the Trademark.

Notice on Marks. The Licensee shall place the following notice (or any other notice that the Licensor may request in writing on one or more occasions) in a legible manner on each licensed product that forms part of the Licensed Products and Services, and on any Promotional Materials including but not limited to any content posted on any Internet site: “Tunnels & Trolls is a Trademark of Flying Buffalo Inc. and used under license and Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls is Trademark of Flying Buffalo Inc. used under license.”

Assignment. Licensee shall not assign, sublicense, transfer, or otherwise convey Licensee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without Licensor’s prior written consent. Licensee shall indemnify and hold harmless Licensor against all liability, costs, and expenses, including but not limited to a reasonable attorneys’ fee, arising out of or in connection with claims relating to an attempted assignment, sublicense, transfer, or other conveyance of Licensee’s rights and obligations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first set forth above.

Printed Name: _______________________________________


SIGN:

___________________________________________
( Licensee )




DATE: _______________



SIGN:


___________________________________________
(Authorized representative, Flying Buffalo)

DATE: ________________