Update and Kickstarter

Hey, I know I've been slow to update lately. Its because I've been working on commissions.  I've not really been available as most of my free time has been taken up by a mixture of actual job work and commissions.  I'm not sure that will change much but I finally am free to actually let people know what I've been working on.

So here it is.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1877613212/28mm-wargaming-sci-fi-trenches-and-emplacements-te

If you are in the market for some cool terrain check them out.  It's my first major terrain pieces so I'll be following everyone's feedback closely.

Verdict

A verdict has been handed down in the Chapterhouse Vs GamesWorkshop case.  By the jury at least.  Among the things Chapterhouse was ruled as using fairly was the SHAPE of the shoulder pad.  The public is still waiting for the official judge's ruling but it looks like after market shoulder pads are legal within a certain context.  Obviously this ruling will be appealed by Games Workshop but to what extent the jury decision will be changed is questionable.

What this means is that the shape of the shoulder pad is not a protected sculptural element according to American law.  This does not make the icons for space marine chapters unprotected.  Custom chapter icons on traditional shoulder pad shapes are legally acceptable.  I have yet to decide if I will begin moving my own custom shoulder pad designs onto shapeways to be sold.  At this time I believe it prudent to wait for the appeals court to decide before I do anything.

Also I won't lie, this decision makes me quite happy.  GamesWorkshop lost a portion of their claims but Chapterhouse didn't lose all theirs.  In the long run the decision has laid a foundation for future bits production which can be followed by designers such as myself.  I look forward to seeing if this creates a more balanced market for miniatures or if GW responds by trademarking models before they publish a codex.