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You make it sound so easy. Even if they have a fair chance at winning the case, if they lose, they will be paying debts for the rest of their lives. I for one am grateful they're trying to solve this at all.

I was actually saying that the TITLE should be in elven, the copyrighted content would be slightly changed (Frodo becomes Forod for instance or something entirely different) and when they release it they also separately and anonymously release a file that changes the name back. Check this out En.wikipedia.org
Sure, it's a parody but the author also sold it.

Well, you could only do VO for the patched version.

Well, that way you're not REALLY changing them, just using a loophole to dodge their demands and then you change them back when the time comes.

Why not a name in the elven language?It doesn't have to be the name of a character or even just a symbolic name that sounds good.

Also, what do you think about what I said in page 2? Would changing all copyrighted names and then releasing a batch file that replaces those names with the original ones work?

Read the whole sentece :D. It would be fun to find replacement names for the characters and we would still have the real names just "unofficially"

Anything. There was this Dragon Ball Z Mod for Quake 3 back in the day and it too recieved a C&D, they however replaced all the copyrighted names etc. and released the mod. After they did so, a member from the team anonymously released a batch file that changed back the names. I also don't think this is not breaking the law, just merely dodging it :P. Maybe you could ask your lawyer about this?

Is it possible to just rename the mod and rename all copyrighted content? Rohan becomes Roban and after everything is done, you make a batch file that changes the names to the original ones. The name of the mod could be something in elven?

I know I'm not gonna get the games now but the movies?...Eeeh that's very tough.

The movies could have been so much worse. The atmosphere is great, the visuals too, the acting is top notch and the music is truly great. Even magic was more subtle like in the books.

It's not him who made the decision, he is only the director of the movies.

The wording in the twitter posts could use some work. IT should be neutral imo.

Could you use the boycotting argument in your defense?

I have just returned from my vacation and it's very nice to see your're asking for our help, the official statement is also appreciated. Are you also asking high profile people for help? An email for Total Biscuit's Mailbox series could gain his support as well as inform a lot of people of your mod.

When does the game licence expire?If it does within say 6 years, then you could work on it underground(for instance you could take down the moddb page ) and release the whole mod when the licence expires.

Maybe you could even come to an agreement with them that you will release it only after their game licence expires.

Yeah, I keep thinking about this. Why haven't they targeted older high profile mods like TATW or fan films like The Hunt for Gollum? Also, why can WB demand anything from you? They have a licence, not the rights, am I right? Have you also gotten in touch with MEE ir TE?

...Muster the Rohirrim! Why not accept our help right now? I would happily give you guys at least 50$ through a fundraiser for a lawyer with very good reputation for instance. I understand if you don't want to tell us for legal reasons or otherwise, I'm just curious.

What do you mean by "I don't think what WB is doing really follows in the spirit of the copyright law"?

It looks like the battle for Middle Earth is about to begin *The End of all Things sountrack plays*

Total Biscuit comes to mind as well. I bet he knows a lot on the matter and if you send an email for the mailbox series, he might actually support your cause.

How is everything shaping up? Is the situation getting better at least?

I'm curious, what exactly prompted them to send you the letter? The name of the mod? The ringbearer questline? The fact that you are using the world?

They might indirectly "steal" sales from future LOTR games. My gut tells me this whole fiasco is because Guardians of Middle Earth (a ****** game) . Maybe they can come to an agreement?For instance merp could only be released 3 years after Guardians.

After reading this article Thegrazing.tumblr.com there may be someone who could help or at least offer advice.

I apologize if you already knew the information from the links I posted.

"Rebecca Tushnet is a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, where she teaches intellectual property, advertising, and First Amendment law. She also happens to enjoy writing fan fiction and is a board member at the Organization for Transformative Works, a nonprofit organization that promotes, supports, and provides legal advocacy for fan works. Professor Tushnet has also spoken and written a great deal on fan works, including an article for the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Journal titled “Legal Fictions: Copyright, Fan Fiction, and a New Common Law,” which informed some of the information herein and which I highly recommend reading. Huge thanks to Professor Tushnet for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk fan works."

You've probably seen this already but just in case you haven't here you go Middleearth.com

If I recall correctly, the Oblivion version had unbreakable bugs. IT was a long time ago, not sure if I'm right.

One of the biggest too.

Wait, the rights for the LOTR video games have been transferred to WB not too long ago. Would you guys get into trouble if you worked on it in secret and released it when their rights expire as well?

I'm not so sure, WB are VERY unforgiving with these matters. i've just read that they even shut down FANSITES which is outrageous. I still hope things will turn out fine for the MERP team though.

Exactly, if they let the mod live they MIGHT lose SOME money but if they shut it down they will SURELY lose a lot of money and potential customers.WB if you are reading this don't close the mod or else you will lose a lot of potential customers (you will surely lose me)