Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: "The Kumquat <smirk>" <CRF_BROWNJT@***.CUIS.EDU>
Subject: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 15:49:02 -0600
Someone asked if FASA would release an Elven language. The answer is, quite
simply, no way. The elven language was completely created by the fantasy
author and linguist J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1940's, and the whole thing,
including concept is so heavily copyrighted by his estate, noone could even
really try. I believe that the copyright problems are what prompted FASA to
call its much hinted at elven tongue "Sperethiel".

Just My Two Pence.
The Kumquat.
Message no. 2
From: Andrew <wadycki@***.CSO.UIUC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 18:14:36 -0600
On Thu, 16 Feb 1995, The Kumquat <smirk> wrote:

> Someone asked if FASA would release an Elven language. The answer is, quite
> simply, no way. The elven language was completely created by the fantasy
> author and linguist J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1940's, and the whole thing,
> including concept is so heavily copyrighted by his estate, noone could even
> really try. I believe that the copyright problems are what prompted FASA to
> call its much hinted at elven tongue "Sperethiel".

Actually the Elvish of Tolkien and the printed Sperethiel is very
different and completely unique languages. I have a good deal of both
and trust me, it is different.

-Andrew
Message no. 3
From: "The Kumquat <smirk>" <CRF_BROWNJT@***.CUIS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 19:02:09 -0600
>Tolkien's Elvish and the Printed Sperethiel are very different, trust me.

That was my original point. They would HAVE to be different to avoid copyright
infringments. My point was that the copyrights are so strict that even though
they are both the language of the Elves, FASA Had to call it Sperethiel because
even "Elvish" is technically copyrighted.

Just My Two Pence.
The Kumquat.
Message no. 4
From: "J.D. Falk" <jdfalk@****.CAIS.COM>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 20:47:09 -0500
On Thu, 16 Feb 1995, The Kumquat <smirk> wrote:

> >Tolkien's Elvish and the Printed Sperethiel are very different, trust me.
>
> That was my original point. They would HAVE to be different to avoid copyright
> infringments. My point was that the copyrights are so strict that even though
> they are both the language of the Elves, FASA Had to call it Sperethiel because
> even "Elvish" is technically copyrighted.

Personally, I think it's different not because of copyright, but
because Shadowrun Elves and Middle Earth Elves, while slightly similar,
each belong in a completely and utterly different genre.

-------------========== J.D. Falk <jdfalk@****.com> =========-------------
| "My lockpick of choice has always been the Panther Assault Cannon." |
| -David L. Hoff |
--------========== http://www.cais.com/jdfalk/home.html ==========--------
Message no. 5
From: Doctor Doom <jch8169@*******.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 01:11:09 -0600
>
> Someone asked if FASA would release an Elven language. The answer is, quite
> simply, no way. The elven language was completely created by the fantasy
> author and linguist J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1940's, and the whole thing,
> including concept is so heavily copyrighted by his estate, noone could even
> really try. I believe that the copyright problems are what prompted FASA to
> call its much hinted at elven tongue "Sperethiel".
>
> Just My Two Pence.
> The Kumquat.
>
>
Message no. 6
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 11:38:07 +0100
>That was my original point. They would HAVE to be different to avoid copyright
>infringments. My point was that the copyrights are so strict that even though
>they are both the language of the Elves, FASA Had to call it Sperethiel because
>even "Elvish" is technically copyrighted.

Call me an idealist or whatever, but I am getting the feeling that this
copyright thing is being applied to WAY to many things. If we're not careful
every single word will be copyrighted by someone... someone said T$R wanted
to trademark "nazi," right? What next? The(tm)? "You said 'the' (tm)
without
crediting Our Company(R)!! We(tm) demand $12,837,217,941.27 in
damages(tm)!!!" Luckily for me, it appears to be worse in North America than
in Europe... but since people over here tend to look to the US for what to
do, I am hoping this trend won't catch on...

Sorry for wasting bandwidth, but I just had to get this out of my system...


Gurth@******.nl - Gurth@***.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Every time you shake someone's hand It determines where you stand
Geek Code v2.1: GS/AT/! -d+ H s:- !g p?(3) !au a>? w+(+++) v*(---) C+(++) U
P? !L !3 E? N++ K- W+ -po+(po) Y+ t(+) 5 !j R+(++)>+++$ tv+(++) b+@ D+(++)
B? e+ u+@ h! f--(?) !r(--)(*) n---->!n y?
Message no. 7
From: Craig S Dohmen <dohmen@*******.CSE.PSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 12:41:26 -0500
On Fri, 17 Feb 1995, Gurth wrote:

> every single word will be copyrighted by someone... someone said T$R wanted
> to trademark "nazi," right? What next? The(tm)? "You said 'the' (tm)
without

Actually, they only trademarked the nazi _figure_ in one of their games,
not the word 'nazi' itself. They have a pretty tight copyright policy up
there in Lake Geneva, but even they couldn't go that far. :)

--Craig
Message no. 8
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 1995 03:45:47 +0930
>
> Someone asked if FASA would release an Elven language. The answer is, quite
> simply, no way. The elven language was completely created by the fantasy
> author and linguist J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1940's, and the whole thing,
> including concept is so heavily copyrighted by his estate, noone could even
> really try. I believe that the copyright problems are what prompted FASA to
> call its much hinted at elven tongue "Sperethiel".
>

Yep... JRRT has a copyright on something called The Elven Language. Mind
you, what with every two-bit roleplaying game all the way up to the
two-hundred bit roleplaying games (T$R :) trying to steal things from
MiddleEarth, can you blame him? Or his trustees?

Just to clarify (or confuse...), Speretheil ain't JRRT's Elven, though it
has some resemblance in parts. (BTW isn't Speretheil also the name of the
Atlanteans in RIFTS? Anyone know the derivation of the word?)

--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
Message no. 9
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 1995 03:49:16 +0930
>
> Actually the Elvish of Tolkien and the printed Sperethiel is very
> different and completely unique languages. I have a good deal of both
> and trust me, it is different.
>

Printed Sperethiel? Come again?

--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.
Message no. 10
From: Andrew <wadycki@***.CSO.UIUC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 14:36:51 -0600
On Sat, 18 Feb 1995, Robert Watkins wrote:

> >
> > Actually the Elvish of Tolkien and the printed Sperethiel is very
> > different and completely unique languages. I have a good deal of both
> > and trust me, it is different.
> >
>
> Printed Sperethiel? Come again?
>
There is some printed in Tir Tairnigire and also some in the Earthdawn
Denizens 1.

-Andrew
Message no. 11
From: THEY ONLY WIN IF WE LET THEM <MKNABUSCH@****.ALBION.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 15:13:45 -0500
Actually the Rift Creatures that have taken over Atlantis are
the Splugorth. *grin* Close, and I can understand the slip.
Heck, I hate the buggers.

Largo Booma
Mason Booma (in absentina)
"We're the Booma brothers, and we're here to BLOW YOU UP!"

*sorry, its what happens when Bubble Gum Crisis and Rifts meet.*
Message no. 12
From: Luc <rjwate01@********.SPD.LOUISVILLE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 16:12:51 EST
>
> Someone asked if FASA would release an Elven language. The answer is, quite
> simply, no way. The elven language was completely created by the fantasy
> author and linguist J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1940's, and the whole thing,
> including concept is so heavily copyrighted by his estate, noone could even
> really try. I believe that the copyright problems are what prompted FASA to
> call its much hinted at elven tongue "Sperethiel".
>
> Just My Two Pence.
> The Kumquat.
>
was the language ever printed? if so what is the title and ISBN?

Thanx,
Luc
Message no. 13
From: Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 1995 12:40:06 +0930
> > Printed Sperethiel? Come again?
> >
> There is some printed in Tir Tairnigire and also some in the Earthdawn
> Denizens 1.
>

Ah yeah, of course. *blush* For a sec, I thought you were talking about
non-FASA sources.


--
Robert Watkins bob@**.ntu.edu.au
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers
are around at 9 am, it's because they were up all night.

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Elven Language WAS: Anwoord in Engels aub, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.