iMtG Server: Gathering

Gathering Forums => Ideas and Feedback => Topic started by: Pakamper on November 13, 2011, 04:44:09 PM

Title: MTGO
Post by: Pakamper on November 13, 2011, 04:44:09 PM
I propose a magic the gathering online on this app through game center. You could use any of your pre-made decks on the server. So please consider this! I know you people want it!
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 13, 2011, 04:45:27 PM
WotC will not allow this.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Pakamper on November 13, 2011, 04:47:12 PM
If they get rights to then i think they should. Even if you have to pay for it.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Spikepit on November 13, 2011, 07:40:41 PM
However great this app is, it is not affiliated with WotC so they will probably never allow it to happen as they would lose money and website hits (or whatever the Internet equivelant to ratings are).
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: BlackJester on November 13, 2011, 08:29:31 PM
I think the best you could hope for is an official Wizards app that lets you use your MTGO account.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Mentonin on November 13, 2011, 08:45:59 PM
Couldn't there be an approachto WotC so this would become an oficial app? They would have almost 0 work to create the app, and would get money and merchandising. Also piotr would get more money as people would see the app in the site and it would be divulgated. I think its worth a try for a partnership. The worst it can be is a No, which wouldnt be bad for us
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Queezle on November 13, 2011, 09:10:54 PM
Yeah that could be helpful
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: BlackJester on November 13, 2011, 10:03:17 PM
:-\
The only way for that to happen is for Piotr to sell he rights to the app to them and they take over, (and if you know anything behind EDH/Commander, that may not end well. ).  That much is up to Piotr, but I would love to live In a world where we get this amazing app that we can play MtG on and Piotr gets a bunch of cash for his troubles.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Mentonin on November 13, 2011, 10:06:49 PM
I thought about shared rights over the app, and shared money too
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Pakamper on November 13, 2011, 10:18:12 PM
Even if WotC made their own app; I
think that this is still something the app store needs. One way or another
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 14, 2011, 03:03:30 AM
The current status is, I sent an email to WotC support asking them to audit iMtG:

Dear Wizards,

I'm the author of iMtG, an iPhone app which is a tool for Magic players. My app seem to be growing in popularity and more and more players become dependant on it (1500-2000 new users every week). It would be a shame and great disappointment for many if I had to pull the app from the App Store or remove functionalities from it. I know that this has happened to other apps, so before I go any further in development of the app, I would like to ask you to perform a legal audit of it. What I mean by this is basically you looking at my app to see whether you are happy with it as it is, or whether there are any changes required to make you happy. I hope this makes sense.

The app itself: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imtg/id412798013?mt=8

Kind regards,
Piotr

To which I received a prompt reply telling me that my request was escalated higher up, and now I'm waiting for the response.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Spikepit on November 14, 2011, 03:48:06 AM
Everyone is now required to cross their fingers until further notice. Thank you.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Queezle on November 14, 2011, 07:15:28 AM
I cant wait. This could be really sweet. Go piotr
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 14, 2011, 07:41:17 AM
Quote from: Queezle on November 14, 2011, 07:15:28 AM
I cant wait. This could be really sweet. Go piotr

I think you missed the point. This has nothing to do with adding MTGO to iMtG, I'm just trying to establish an official relationship with WotC here. In the best case scenario they will officially allow me to use their copyrighted material (i.e. nothing changes for you guys), in the worst case they are sending DMCA takedown notice to Apple and iMtG is removed from the App Store.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Raven316 on November 14, 2011, 09:07:12 AM
Should we install imtg and get off beta testing for the time being in case they remove it from the AppStore and then we have nothing? What do you think
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Mentonin on November 14, 2011, 09:48:01 AM
If they authorize it, would you be able to link to the gatherer page of the cards and use their rating? It would be nice
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: BlackJester on November 14, 2011, 11:02:21 AM
XXXfingersXXX

Good luck Piotr!  I hope things go well, I'll be choked if WotC turfs the app!   
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 14, 2011, 11:10:51 AM
Quote from: Raven316 on November 14, 2011, 09:07:12 AM
Should we install imtg and get off beta testing for the time being in case they remove it from the AppStore and then we have nothing? What do you think

No, that would be silly.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 14, 2011, 11:11:29 AM
Quote from: Mentonin on November 14, 2011, 09:48:01 AM
If they authorize it, would you be able to link to the gatherer page of the cards and use their rating? It would be nice

I don't have plans for that, I do have plans for our own rating system though.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Raven316 on November 14, 2011, 11:22:38 AM
Hopefully things workout at least you followed protocol and hopefully they will be considerate although they might ask you to replace the mana symbols as of seen it happen to other apps but that's not a big deal
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Mentonin on November 14, 2011, 02:09:36 PM
Why replace mana symbols? Didnt get that. When did u send the email, piotr?
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Raven316 on November 14, 2011, 03:27:10 PM
Quote from: Mentonin on November 14, 2011, 02:09:36 PM
Why replace mana symbols? Didnt get that. When did u send the email, piotr?

Because of copyrights I saw another app have to do this not on the cards just the symbols on the app
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 14, 2011, 03:34:46 PM
The email was sent a couple of weeks ago, today I have sent a status query.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Pakamper on November 15, 2011, 04:15:32 PM
Piotr, please keep us updated in future updates for the app and the status of the audit. If you do indeed talk to someone about gaining rights to some of the things in this app be sure that they get the massage that mobile useres desperatly need mgto on mobile devices. Through an app of theirs or through another. Thanks ^^
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Mentonin on November 16, 2011, 03:48:42 PM
Can u get to actually process other apps if u get this app authorized? And have u received an answer yet?
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 17, 2011, 01:27:22 PM
I dont understand the first question, the second is no.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Mentonin on November 17, 2011, 04:24:04 PM
Will this be the only app about magic in the app store if it is audited? Like, are the others going down by copyright if there is an official one?
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on November 17, 2011, 07:15:43 PM
No, and audit has nothing to do with making iMtG an official WotC app.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 01:38:51 PM
WotC's legal team has sent a DMCA notice to Apple asking them to remove iMtG from the app store.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: BlackJester on December 26, 2011, 01:59:54 PM
Quote from: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 01:38:51 PM
WotC's legal team has sent a DMCA notice to Apple asking them to remove iMtG from the app store.

😰😰😲😲😱😡😭😱ðŸ'¿ðŸ"«ðŸ'©ðŸ'©ðŸ'©ðŸ'©ðŸ'ŽðŸ'ŽðŸ'ŠðŸ'ŠðŸ'ŠðŸ'¢ðŸ'ŠðŸ'¢ðŸ'ŠðŸ'"ðŸ'€ðŸ'€Â©ðŸ'£ðŸ"²
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: BlackJester on December 26, 2011, 02:02:13 PM
So what's going to happen? Are we all going to lose the greatest MtG app?
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Rass on December 26, 2011, 02:04:34 PM
Wow that sucks
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Spikepit on December 26, 2011, 02:08:26 PM
Quote from: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 01:38:51 PM
WotC's legal team has sent a DMCA notice to Apple asking them to remove iMtG from the app store.
No! What will I do with my spare time?! Stupid legal teams, always makin my life hell!
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 02:39:20 PM
:(

We should make another forum so that we don't lose the community. C'mon, Maro said that he would welcome an mtg app in one of his articles!
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 02:41:15 PM
Can we still use it? Or will it just be taken down from the store?
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 02:50:00 PM
Sorry for triple posting, but send this to the legal team:

Exact words from Maro:

http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/16&page=3


#3) Yes, I use a Mac. I am a die-hard Apple user. Every computer I have ever owned or used at work and/or at home has been an Apple. I am also a crazed iPhone fanatic. I currently own 233 apps, only 112 of which fit on my phone at any one time. (By the way, any developers out there who are itching to make an awesome Magic app: let's just say there's a demand.)
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 05:32:41 PM
Quote from: BlackJester on December 26, 2011, 02:02:13 PM
So what's going to happen?

We shall see. It's not the first time DMCA was used against iMtG. First time it was resolved peacefully, and I'll try to do it the same way this time.

They have a problem with the app name, claiming that they own MTG and iMtG is too close. They have a problem with the logo, claiming that it resembles their 'pentagon of colours'... I doubt they have a case here.
They have a problem with the standard silly legal disclaimer missing from iMtG, the one I just added at the bottom of http://imtgapp.com
They also have a problem with me using their cards, which is the most interesting one.

We shall see, no need to panic just yet. The worst which can happen is that they will cripple the app, but they won't be able to kill it completely.

If anyone can offer me some advice, I would appreciate it. IANAL ;)
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 05:50:59 PM
I would promote the case with the public. Put threads up on MTGSalv and GatheringMagic forums. Maybe send an appeal to Maro on the off chance he uses the app.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: BlackJester on December 26, 2011, 05:52:51 PM
Quote from: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 05:32:41 PM

IANAL ;)

Huh? ???
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 06:06:38 PM
Who is Maro? :)

IANAL: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=ianal&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Spikepit on December 26, 2011, 06:13:07 PM
Quote from: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 05:50:59 PM
I would promote the case with the public. Put threads up on MTGSalv and GatheringMagic forums. Maybe send an appeal to Maro on the off chance he uses the app.
Here Piotr (and anyone else for that matter)! http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/ask
Mark Rosewater answer dozens of fan questions every week (he's even answered some of mine in the past😊) on his personal blog here.

After reading the excerpt that Prophylaxis posted, I contacted him about it here and I reckon you should too. There is a higher chance of it getting to him and actually making impact than emailing through MtG website.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Rass on December 26, 2011, 06:13:22 PM
Can you try an online petition? Threaten people who use this app my stop buying cards. Or try to pay them a few buck per person that we would have to pay to them? I wish I had some insight on this but I'm no lawyer. Good luck and if there's anything we can do to help keep it let us know
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Spikepit on December 26, 2011, 06:27:14 PM
Quote from: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 06:06:38 PM
Who is Maro? :)

IANAL: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=ianal&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
MaRo is Mark Rosewater, head of Research and Development (the guys who make up the cards and the ideas behind the Expansions). He is heavily fan orientated and a downright champ.

And am glad you explained IANAL, I was a little worried what you were suggestion and that we'd have to Moderate YOU. 😜
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 06:43:31 PM
Quote from: Spikepit on December 26, 2011, 06:13:07 PM
Quote from: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 05:50:59 PM
I would promote the case with the public. Put threads up on MTGSalv and GatheringMagic forums. Maybe send an appeal to Maro on the off chance he uses the app.
Here Piotr (and anyone else for that matter)! http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/ask
Mark Rosewater answer dozens of fan questions every week (he's even answered some of mine in the past😊) on his personal blog here.

After reading the excerpt that Prophylaxis posted, I contacted him about it here and I reckon you should too. There is a higher chance of it getting to him and actually making impact than emailing through MtG website.

I was just thinking about doing that before in the day. Good job. I asked him some questions but he's never responded to them.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: cltrn81 on December 26, 2011, 06:53:55 PM
Quote from: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 01:38:51 PM
WotC's legal team has sent a DMCA notice to Apple asking them to remove iMtG from the app store.

Who is WotC?
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Prophylaxis on December 26, 2011, 07:06:44 PM
Quote from: cltrn81 on December 26, 2011, 06:53:55 PM
Quote from: Piotr on December 26, 2011, 01:38:51 PM
WotC's legal team has sent a DMCA notice to Apple asking them to remove iMtG from the app store.

Who is WotC?

Wizards of the Coast, the company that makes Magic cards.
Title: Re: MTGO
Post by: Validan on December 26, 2011, 07:53:36 PM
To be honest I haven't had a good community to discuss ideas with since my guild in WoW before I quit, so this has been a nice experience and I have to tell ya Piotr I love the app so I really hope it doesn't get either killed or crippled in the process of this WoTC junk