Just a passing thought… much as I love this game on line, I have always known that it was illegal and a breach of copyright – but it didn't bother me.
However, I have now read that the creators of this fantastic application have been offered $10m each for it, but are holding out for ten times that amount. They are currently earning $25,000 per month from advertising – each…
I love it when little guys take on the big guys – even when that means breaching copyright rules, but if these figures are REAL, then this is no joke.
Much as I LOVE this game here on facebook, I would rather see it removed than see the creators paid these ridiculous amounts of money for what amounts to criminal activity.
Guys, take the money and run before I lose the respect I have for you!
Shucks, I only joined yesterday. Can I at least get my score up to something dignified before you all leave me here alone?
The Internet is a copyright nightmare Gary. If the 'Copyright Police' clamped down on the internet worldwide…………… it probably wouldn't exist the way it does now. Actually I think I may go back to Random Thoughts.
They (the brothers) did originally say this was created out of love for the game but all things turn to money, eh. I have to say I agree with your last line.
I can't confirm one way or another. It could just be leaks to portray the brothers in a bad light. Or the brothers could really be gambling on the popularity of Scrabulous. Either way, I think this is the article you're refering to:
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/3/the_scrabulous_snag__money
Question: Do developers pay a set fee to have their application on Facebook or is it based on the advertising revenue generated? If the majority of people installed an ad blocker would this not greatly reduce that revenue and thereby not only get Hasbro to leave it alone, since it appears they never bothered with the 'little guys' before, but also return the application to what the brothers said they originally developed it for? The love of the game.
Since we have nothing but hearsay to go on, my opinion on this is wildly speculative – but if they're trying to bilk Hasbro and the like, they are being more than cheeky. The way I saw it they were on shaky ground to begin with, as much as I enjoy the app.
There is an old (probably apocryphal) story about Winston Churchill at a party.
He went up to a very posh lady and said to her "my dear would you sleep with me for £1,000,000?"
She thought for a while and said "well, yes I would"
He thought for a moment and said "What about for £50"
SHe said "certainly not, what do you think I am ?"
He replied "we have already established that .. now we are just negotiating price"
My point being …
Once it has been established that the brothers are going to be paid .. who the fuck cares how much. They aren't suddenly "bad guys" if they manage to squeeze $70MM out someone any more than them being Robin Hoods if they "only" take $10MM.
And as for the OP's numbers …. they are not "each" … those are total amounts.
The only costs associated with having an application on Facebook are the development costs plus the cost of hosting the application on a server. Hosting costs are NOT insignificant with a high volume app though.
Facebook does not take a cut of "in app" advertising.
Finally … without advertising .. this app would not exist in its current form because it would be too expensive to pay for the hosting required.
and a final note … the app may be "illegal" in the sense that it is contrary to copyright law but it is a civil issue .. not a criminal one. Unless of course someone decided to prosecute them for fraud.
And no .. i wouldn't expect that …
And yes .. i would expect to see lots of astroturfing from both sides so take anything on this topic with a HUGE grain of salt .. including anything I say.
I couldn't disagree more. If the bros did what you *think* is the morally correct thing to do, the next buyer would or could resell in a month and collect the big bucks. My sweet highly moral Mom put her home on the market for a lower price because she didn't have the heart or conscience to ask the market value because prices had soared incredibly since she bought it. She wanted a young nice couple to have a chance to have a good home. A savvy fellow bought it and resold in a month for above market value. Heart? In big biz?! Oxymoron.
I agree, we're not going to have anything solid to go on until it's all over. I'm just thankful it's here at all! lol. I remember when we were all anxiously counting down to the supposed 'doomsday'.
*sigh*
'Astroturfing' – I've incorporated that into my already vast lexicon. Brilliant.
I bet your mom didnt borrow the house and then sell it. I bet she didn't use the fact that she fixed it up out of love to justify it either
I disagree with your closing statement because it is possible for a company to "have a heart". There are corporations that operate with multiple bottom lines … not just financial ones.
Other than that .. I agree whole heartedly .. once people accept that the brothers should get SOMETHING … then it is only sensible of them to hold our for the most they can convince someone to give them. That is what is known in economics as being a "rational actor".
Bad analogy
and ..
This post is classic astroturfing .. although usually the companies that do it are clever enough not to have such obvious sockpuppets.
Michael has no friends…
True about ownership. Good point. Bad comparison on my part. I *think* the bros did create the application out of love for the game and it has become bigger than they ever expected. It has morphed into a monster because big biz has become interested because of revenue. No love there. Courts will decide the breach of copyright issue. I would rather these guys got the best buck possible for creating this application, that's all. That wage will be going very quickly into lawyers' pockets right now.
Analogy..I could NOT remember the word I needed. Thank you. I had written 'simile' but caught myself. Good forbid, I should stop typing and try harder to find it in these pitiful memory banks.
There are corporations that operate with multiple bottom lines … not just financial ones.
Which ones? I like to support companies that are like that. There are just far too few of them.
You are correct .. there are too few of them …
One of the first I ever heard of that does it is a company called "Small Dog Electronics"..They are a big advertiser on Thom Hartmann's show (that should give you an idea of where I am on the political spectrum)
http://vbsr.org/ is a link to a group in Vermont that advocates for social responsibility in companies.
My company .. while not doing multiple bottom lines .. has a very successful program that we run in conjunction with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children that I am very proud to say has helped recover 148 missing kids.
It IS possible for a company to have a heart. It sadly isnt necesary though.
That's awesome Rob! I have a special spot for those kids. Good for you!
Well, we are the biggest single user of the US Postal Service .. is only right that we do some good with the access that people give us to their homes. (We are a marketing company)
Well..that's damn fine! I'm impressed and thankful for that attitude.
Just remember that .. next time you get fliers in your mailbox :)
Hmmmm….junk mail vs. rescuing kids….tricky one.
Exactly …. I didn't say we were perfect :)
Buddy, I just signed up. Yesterdy…I have friends that talked me into checking this out. I finally got 3 games going. I'm checking on the discussions. What;s wrong with that?
wtf are you talking about? sockpuppets?!
none of the scrabulous groups said you needed a passport to cross the border into this discussion room
How do I find your game.
OK, I'll hit your link game,but can we play tomorrow?
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