Potent Potables

Wizards Of The Coast Takes Legal Action
JAN. 19, 2006 (RENTON, WASH.) –
Wizards of the Coast, Inc., the world leader in hobby gaming and a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), today filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington against Daron Rutter of Vancouver, British Columbia, an administrator of the website "MTG Salvation." The complaint alleges that Rutter intentionally and repeatedly posted on the site Wizards’ proprietary information he unlawfully obtained. Specifically alleged is the unauthorized display of prototypes from planned releases of Wizards' world-famous Magic: The Gathering® Trading Card Game (TCG). Also named in the lawsuit are individuals whom the company believes provided Rutter with Wizards of the Coast trade secrets. The names of these individuals are not known and they are identified as “JOHN DOES 1-10” in the complaint.

“Wizards of the Coast was dismayed to learn our most confidential property was being displayed on a public message board that is widely read by the Magic community,” said Jared Gustafson, Director of Marketing at Wizards of the Coast. “The unauthorized release of information about prototype cards harms the brand because the cards are seen and judged prematurely out of context of the entire set.”

“Wizards of the Coast greatly appreciates fan sites and the role they play in generating excitement for the world’s first and most popular Trading Card Game,” noted Elaine Chase, Senior Brand Manager for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. “While we encourage fan enthusiasm by permitting the use of authorized and other publicly available images and information, we can not tolerate the unauthorized release of confidential company information.”

Daron Rutter, better known as rancored_elf, is a respected and important member of the Magic-playing community, and I am disappointed with the direction that company has taken. Spoilers for upcoming sets heighten anticipation, and results in a fever-pitch of excitement among fans, no doubt contributing to the company's bottom line come sale date. This seems to be, at its core, an attempt to flush out the high-level leaks within Wizards, but it is sad that Daron, essentially reporting news in a journalistic fashion, should be scapegoated in this way.

See the thread discussing this turn of events over at MTG Salvation.

If you are interested in voicing your displeasure, I'd encourage you to email:

corporateinfo@wizards.com, hasbrogamespr@hasbro.com, or hasbrotoyspr@hasbro.com.

# posted by energythief @ 9:22 AM