Thread: Maps?
The copywrite to many of the maps we had on display belonged to Tolkien Estates. By having them on display we were in breach of copywrite and were asked/told to take them down. It's unfortunate because they made a nice and informative section, but at the end of the day if something belongs to someone else, it's up to them what they do with it.
Yes, it was a sad day when the lawyers for the Tolkien Estate demanded they come down without any chance of compromise; they don't seem to understand that we are a source of free advertising for their intelectual properties. Anyway, because they have deeper pockets than Taz, any tilting at windmills was felt to be a lost cause; thus both their maps and poetry were removed.
[Edited on 26/9/2003 by Grondmaster]
[Edited on 26/9/2003 by Grondmaster]
Can any kind of appeal be made? What if we had a petition from those of us here at PT? Could we turn their cold hearted hearts towards the light of understanding that we are fanatics and fans in all shapes and forms? That would be something to start, wouldn't it?
My initial thought was to appeal directly to Christopher Tolkien himself, but realising how much JRR disliked the idea of his works being turned into movies etc, I suspect Tolkien Estates view websites in a similar manner to a zit on their noses.
Several other Tolkien sites who fought their respective bans were closed down overnight. At least Taz managed to keep the Planet Tolkien domain name. They wanted that off us too.
Several other Tolkien sites who fought their respective bans were closed down overnight. At least Taz managed to keep the Planet Tolkien domain name. They wanted that off us too.
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At least Taz managed to keep the Planet Tolkien domain name. They wanted that off us too.
Well they knew they didn't have a leg to stand on there. It's Tazzys domain name, they can't take it.At least Taz managed to keep the Planet Tolkien domain name. They wanted that off us too.
It's a shame that real fans can't have access to such wonderful material. I would've made good use of them for instructional purposes and to share the beauty and wonder of the world Tolkien created. But alas, I'll just have to wait until I can scrape up enough money to buy everything I need.
And many of those maps were layered so you could zoom in on them and the farther down you went the more detail you could see and read.
Yes, I was very disappointed in the Tolkien Estate, when all of this happened, and I really do miss the maps a lot. I have quite a few maps here at home, but it was much easier, to click on the links here and get just what I was looking for. Besides that is how I found PT in the first place. I was doing a search on google for maps and voila! Here I was.
it is so sad that too few metalized people does not allow us to behold at the art and wonder that J.R.R.T. created. no wonder why the world is the way it is. 
isn’t there a way that we could buy at least the copyright of the maps? , or the right to use them?
isn’t there a way that we could buy at least the copyright of the maps? , or the right to use them?
That's a nice idea, Thingol, but I think buying the outright copywrite on the maps would cost hundreds of thousands. They must bring in a lot of revenue for the Tolkien Estates. A licence to use the material would be cheaper, but I think even that would cost thousands.
With no membership fees, Taz runs this site off his own back with the help of the occasional donation from others. At times it is a struggle meeting the server fees, so I don't think this is something that we could afford.
With no membership fees, Taz runs this site off his own back with the help of the occasional donation from others. At times it is a struggle meeting the server fees, so I don't think this is something that we could afford.
Have we tried some good old fashioned begging and grovelling?
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Have we tried some good old fashioned begging and grovelling?
When a lawyer gets involved that doesn't work, especially so when money is being taken from their client's pocket. If we could gaurantee that the maps couldn't be copied, then maybe yes, but since we can't no. Have we tried some good old fashioned begging and grovelling?
I refer you back to Grondy's post at the top of the page, Peredhil.
I think we have to admit, the maps and poetry are gone unless we want to start busting Taz out of jail on a regular basis.
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Yes, it was a sad day when the lawyers for the Tolkien Estate demanded they come down without any chance of compromise.
Their tone implied you would get more joy out of asking a charging bull to go round you than getting any concessions from them.Yes, it was a sad day when the lawyers for the Tolkien Estate demanded they come down without any chance of compromise.
I think we have to admit, the maps and poetry are gone unless we want to start busting Taz out of jail on a regular basis.
