don't click here

THE KEN PENDERS CHRONICLES: a man you Ken DePenders on

Discussion in 'General Sonic Discussion' started by The KKM, Jul 7, 2010.

  1. Xeric

    Xeric

    Member
    291
    4
    18
    Workington, England
    S3K Mighty Sheet
    He's claiming ownership of Geoffory St. John? I'm pretty sure he was in SatAM. :x
     
  2. TSSZNews

    TSSZNews

    First @ Something or Other Banned
    399
    0
    0
    The Update Desk
    Occasional JOURNALISM
    No matter what, it's gonna get really ugly, really fast.

    That said, I think we all need to remember that he's not trying to lay a copyright on SwatBots, or Sally Acorn, or the major players here from SatAM. If I read this statement correctly, we're talking Lien-Da, Geofrey St. John (he was comics only, Xeric), Dark Legion, etc....who, in my mind, are either secondary characters, or characters who have only existed in the Archie series under his tenure. Remember also that he consulted with an IP attorney regarding this before proceeding, so it's not like he's doing this blindly.

    If there's no paper trail—that is, if Archie didn't make him sign a contract regarding who owns what, he may have a case. I'm not saying he'll win without a fight, but it makes it hard for Archie to cleanly win, too.
     
  3. Dr. Mecha

    Dr. Mecha

    Member
    1,088
    3
    18
    Dallas, TX
    3d Models
    Most of which Ian killed off with Eggman's life-draining EggGrapes.
     
  4. Quarterman

    Quarterman

    Just another day in paradise. Member
    Slightly off topic, but I always did see that as kind of a "fuck you" to Penders.
     
  5. Quickman

    Quickman

    be attitude for gains Tech Member
    5,595
    18
    18
    :x
    omg porjcet
    I'm no expert, but it looks to me like he's desperately shooting himself in the foot and trying to garner sympathy. It's pretty standard practice in just about any field to ensure in the contract you sign when hiring an employee or commissioning a creative type that their copyright (which they own by default - you don't need to go to the US Copyright Office, that's dumb) is automatically transferred to the company. I can't believe Archie would be stupid enough to forget that one.

    Just something to bear in mind.

    WHOOOSH
     
  6. Xeric

    Xeric

    Member
    291
    4
    18
    Workington, England
    S3K Mighty Sheet
    [​IMG]

    They changed the design slightly when he was introduced.
     
  7. TSSZNews

    TSSZNews

    First @ Something or Other Banned
    399
    0
    0
    The Update Desk
    Occasional JOURNALISM
    Since I've nearly had to go to court for defending one of my own copyrights (that's right, kids, you don't know the half of my past issues! :ssh: ) I can speak to the "own by default" point.

    Yes, a copyright is theoretically automatically granted once you create the work. However, if you want to defend those rights, *the* least stressful option is to get it registered with the US Copyright Office. You actually need a certificate from the office in order to initiate a claim in federal court. That Ken went through the process (and trust me, it's an arduous one—it took me over 18 months to get a certificate for one work) shows me he's serious about enforcing this. If Archie doesn't have any on file regarding the characters, it could be bad news. It's prolly worth investigating since Copyright records are online and in public record.

    On the other point of contracts...given some of the stories I've heard about Archie not doing its due diligence on matters more basic than this, it really wouldn't surprise me if there was no contract in place, as dumb as it sounds.

    Xeric: Did he even have a name in SatAM? Otherwise, when you get to the legal heart of the matter, that could be anybody.
     
  8. trakker

    trakker

    The guy that's been warned! Member
    1,922
    4
    18
    The'll just have to make *upbeat fruity voice* New Characterrrrrrrrssssssss~

    Its not that hard, as an arty person, I could roll out atleast 10 within the hour lol

    They could pull a startrek reboot, just go back in time, do some kinda timebomb with the timestones or something and just erase everything after 160 and start again XD
     
  9. Solaris Paradox

    Solaris Paradox

    Member
    2,456
    0
    0
    On my butt in front of the computer. Where else?
    I'm working on working up the willpower to work on learning how to make my own Sonic fangames. Not quite there yet.
    ... =/

    Well, sai Penders, good luck with that.
     
  10. Cinossu

    Cinossu

    Administrator
    2,832
    44
    28
    London, UK
    Sonic the Hedgehog Extended Edition
    There's only one thing I have to say about Ken Penders..

    [​IMG]
    + - For those that don't realise it, this is from Ken's wonderful 'new' comic The Lost Ones. No, I didn't edit those eyes.  
     
  11. Glisp

    Glisp

    That one weird guy that does stuff. Member
    1,278
    1
    16
    Bloomington, IN
    None at the moment I'm afraid.
    Scourge the Hedgehog can't be used by either party from what I read on the Pender's boards. Not just by Ian but Ken himself. Since Scourge was originally Evil/Anti-Sonic Ian can't use him. However, since Scourge is a revamped version of Evil Sonic and thus a new character of his own, Ken can't use him either.

    Personally, I find this little scribble and sprawl a bit perturbing and otherwise idiotic. Really, the only key character affected by this is Julie-Su. Dr. Finitevous is kind of iffy. I haven't kept up with the comics as of late but when I last checked, he disappeared. Technically though, Doc Finitevous was based off the idea of a similar looking Fleetway character or so I've heard.

    Its really sad to see when people decide to pull this shit. Hopefully, there will be some kind of agreement Archie and Ken can make before this goes to court. Then again, Ken seems like a really tightwad dick from what I've read of what he says so who knows how it would go.
     
  12. Doppelgengar

    Doppelgengar

    Member
    226
    0
    16
    I think I'm missing something here. Why exactly did he do this? Sounds like Archie pissed in his Cherrio's or somethin'.
     
  13. BlazeHedgehog

    BlazeHedgehog

    A "Community Enigma"? Oldbie
    1,467
    11
    18
    "Oh dang, oh nuts. The Archie Sonic comic was the only sure thing I had left, and they fired me! I'm hosed! If only there was some way I could wring money out of them..."
     
  14. Lanzer

    Lanzer

    The saber calls for its master... Member
    6,845
    3
    18
    Glendale, AZ
    Living life.
    Just PM'd a couple of archie artists about this. wonder what they will have to say?...
     
  15. TSSZNews

    TSSZNews

    First @ Something or Other Banned
    399
    0
    0
    The Update Desk
    Occasional JOURNALISM
    There is one element where I think Ken have a very valid, legitimate claim...and it's in how the Archives stories are being handled in terms of republishing.

    Think of comics almost like you consider more widespread artistic works such as movies or music. The artist of said work gets royalties every time that work is played...anywhere.

    Sonic Archives pretty much republishes his works, characters, etc. Unless there is a contract somewhere that explicitly states the work is only Archie's and he is to get no residuals from future reselling...I would think he's supposed to get SOMETHING for that Archives series.

    If he isn't...I'm not sure I can blame the guy for this.
     
  16. Lanzer

    Lanzer

    The saber calls for its master... Member
    6,845
    3
    18
    Glendale, AZ
    Living life.
    I believed they fired him and hes now throwing a tantrum 5 years after his firing. Now he is just being a dick to the fans of the comic because he wants "payback" on his old bosses.
     
  17. Aquaslash

    Aquaslash

    <The Has-been Legend> Moderator
    I look forward to his butt raping in court.
     
  18. The Shad

    The Shad

    ↑ & ↓ & ↻ Oldbie
    3,073
    8
    18
    This is the most hilarious case of "original character do not steal" I've ever seen
     
  19. Mr. Pictures

    Mr. Pictures

    Oldbie
    643
    0
    0
    I've heard Ken Penders, in person, say Sega owns everything he creates.
     
  20. Tiranno

    Tiranno

    Steveosaurus Rex Member
    I like my girlfriend's take on the Archie Comics:

    [​IMG]