At the urging of [URL=http://forums.theeca.com/member.php?u=2417][U]leonharfs[/U][/URL] I decided in the end to make this thread.
The Crimson Echoes project. It's been mentioned on GP a few times.
Established Facts:
(Don't just state these in your comments, as it would just be redundant, try commenting ON these facts if you have nothing to add)
[LIST]
Square-Enix was well within their rights to shut down the project. The issue in question is if they had any legitimate grounds to exercise this particular right.[/LIST]
[LIST]The developers have specifically stated that no money was made off the project, nor was there any money intended to be made. Furthermore, they disclaimed ownership of any of Square-Enix's material that was used in the project. Furthermore, they [B]THANKED[/B] (emphasized for a reason) S.E. for creating such a wonderful series, and encouraged those playing/observing the game to purchase the official releases.[/LIST]
[LIST]Copyright has multiple interpretations. Mine is "the only person/people allowed to claim ownership of something, or profit from its distribution if it is a product, is the creator(s)."[/LIST]
[LIST]Fans have been asking Square-Enix to reconsider their decision to completely shut down the project, and to support it by either granting the developers permission to restart the project, or by taking over the project and releasing it as a Square-Enix title.[/LIST]
Discuss. Please keep your posts civil and reasonable.
EDIT: tex requested below that I provide links to GP articles where the project was mentioned, as well as info on the project itself.
[URL=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/02/04/au-court-lets-isp-hook-over-illegal-downloads][U]http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/02/04/au-court-lets-isp-hook-over-illegal-downloads[/U][/URL] Second comment from the top sparks a debate between me and Speeder concerning it. The post also contains a link to a GP article detailing the project getting shut down, so go there to see it.
There are other articles, mainly concerning Square-Enix employees, where I mentioned the possibility of them offering their personal opinions on the project. I currently don't have the time to look for them, so that will wait until I do, provided I remember to do so then.
[URL=http://crimsonechoes.com/][U]http://crimsonechoes.com/[/U][/URL] Official site for the project. A lot of info can be found here.
[URL=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/CrimsonEchoes][U]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/CrimsonEchoes[/U][/URL] TV Tropes page for the project. Worth a read, and is mentioned in other related pages.
[URL=http://www.youtube.com/CEMemorial][U]http://www.youtube.com/CEMemorial[/U][/URL] YouTube channel for the project, containing (last I checked anyway) a full run through the game's story, as well as showing off some other things in the game as well. Has full commentary (in captions) from the developers, as well as FaustWolf, who played the run.
[URL=http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5272474/1/Crimson_Echoes][U]http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5272474/1/Crimson_Echoes[/U][/URL] A novellization of the story on FanFiction.Net, each chapter is reviewed by at least one of the directors of the project for accuracy's sake. Only 5 so far, but looks promising as a possible means of getting the story out there.
EDIT 2: [URL=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/01/06/wada-piracy-and-%E2%80%9Cjapan-over%E2%80%9D-quip][U]http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/01/06/wada-piracy-and-%E2%80%9Cjapan-over%E2%80%9D-quip[/U][/URL] Went looking and found this GP article. In the second comment, I ask for a means of contacting Square-Enix President and CEO Yoichi Wada so that I could possibly request his opinion regarding the project and everything that has happened concerning it. No one responded, but I'm still hoping for a means of acquiring Mr. Wada's opinion on the project.