I still find the issue of trust regarding Intellectual Property rights questionable at best.

What do you mean by that though? A simple image, is all that they'd have. No threads, maybe submitted news at most. A link, an image tis all

Do you know what it is to Incorporate?

It's one thing to affiliate one community with another but I feel like this whole thing stinks like a Styx Reunion Tour.

EDIT: This sounds like the beginnings of a web-ring. I've never seen a webring add to a forum or community. I've only ever see such a thing detract. I may be in the minority, but warn strongly against it.

in·cor·po·rate ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-kôrp-rt)
v. in·cor·po·rat·ed, in·cor·po·rat·ing, in·cor·po·rates
v. tr.
To unite (one thing) with something else already in existence: incorporated the letter into her diary.
To admit as a member to a corporation or similar organization.
To cause to merge or combine together into a united whole.
To cause to form into a legal corporation: incorporate a business.
To give substance or material form to; embody.
Linguistics. To cause (a word, for example) to undergo noun incorporation.



- So you would be against say a site as a sort of link engine/portal to all teh star wars Role-playing sites that wish to be submitted that displays a single graphic to their site that can send viewers their link or any role-playing link they want?

Yes.

And another point...

www.starwars.com

Here abouts a kid by the name of Mike Roe started an internet software company. He called it Mike Roe Soft.

Microsoft legal responded with a Lawsuit. The also offered a buy out. Mike, not too deeply invested in the company, went for the buy out.

We're small. Invisible. It's nice that way and we're not looking to get rich. And unlike Mike, I'm willing to protect my investment because, like others, I am deeply invested.

There is nothing against having a star wars role-playing portal. Fansites and engines are always allowed. Were you around when they had engines (fan run) like Banthatracks and Echobase? If needed we could even ask Starwars.com for permission though it is not needed.

Don't rely on me to bring in Epics.

I know Epics members are aware of the concept and that members of Epics read this board. I can talk to them and see what we can do, but from a TRF standpoint, we haven't even sat down as a whole and had a discussion about what we should do. While I don't think any of us have raised issue with the idea yet, it is right now only that, an idea, and until we can work on things like structure and formation and planned maintenence think it's premature to start taking votes of who is in and who is out.

Any of us, as a staff, I meant. I am not discounting Beff and other's concerns.

I was considering it as in the more the merrier for discussion but I see your point. Head this through TRF then move it along. Well what is the overall opinion? Any other ideas? (btw to avoid any copyright issues all you have to do is do what all sites do, say "all names/images are copyright to starwars copyright of George lucas" or something like that0

Actually, I've just had a brilliant idea that would certianly assuage my fears and trepidations regarding the issue of Intellectual Property rights...

On the Portal, on the header, a Terms-Of-Use contract which guarantees each community independant IP rights. Legal and binding. Just like an adult site or, like many larger fandoms have, a protection policy.