ewhac@well.UUCP (Leo 'Bols Ewhac' Schwab) (08/10/87)
[ Karl Malden has just been kidnapped. What will you do, what *WILL* you do? ]
There seems to be some slight misunderstanding on the part of some
netters as to why the situation between Pixar and myself exists. I thought
I'd try and clarify that a bit.
First, I'd like to thank everyone for their favorable response thus
far. It has been very encouraging.
Some people have made the assertion that Pixar doesn't have a legal
leg to stand on. I tend to agree. The same people have suggested,
therefore, that I should release the animation anyway, despite Pixar's
hassling. It is here that we part opinions, which is what I want to
explain.
I hold Pixar, their people, and their work in the highest regard.
It would be nice if I could work with them one day. One way to assure that
never happening is by pissing them off.
I have looked at the issue from the other side. If I had just
worked my tuckus off for the entire summer trying to create a wonderful
film, only to discover that, at what should have been my moment of glory, I
had been "scooped" by some dweeb wearing a silly cape in *three days*, I'd
feel pretty terrible. However, by the same token, that feeling of
resentment probably would have passed by now (were I in their shoes).
I am largely ignoring the legal issues, since those are best left to
lawyers and other forms of pond scum. Instead, I am considering the
personal issues that are important to me: How do the majority of Pixarians
feel about this now? How would they feel if I were to distribute this far
and wide? Would this resentment affect any opportunities I may have in the
future (if I earn a reputation for "ripping off" other people's work, it
could severly restrict my horizons)? How will I feel if the outcome is not
as I would like it?
My psyche demands that I injure as few emotions as possible (sorry,
that's the way I am). This is why I am exerting all my efforts to arrive at
a Gentlemen's Agreement with them.
My personal feelings at this moment? I'm beginning to get irritated
that this has gone as far as it has. Craig Good of Pixar(tm) recently
informed me that he "had to bring the lawyers into the loop." Apparently,
as soon as they locate Bill Volk, they will notify him "officially" not to
distribute the thing. This is beginning to get out of hand, and I *am*
starting to get irked.
Pixar is but a fifteen-minute bike ride away from me. They are
virtually on my way to and from work. I have no desire to sensitize these
people against the entire population of people on recumbent bikes wearing
capes.
Some may claim that I'm being naive; that the world doesn't work
that way. If that's the case, and *really* nasty things start happening,
I'll enter defensive mode and start dealing with pond scum myself. See,
I have this friend who's a wizard at contract and copyright law, and whose
wife is Dean of Students at a law college in San Francisco .....
However, if you're looking for a quote that you can repeat to your
friends, I think I have one for you:
Pixar is going to have competition at the SIGGRAPH Film and Video
show next year.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Leo L. Schwab -- The Guy in The Cape ihnp4!ptsfa -\
\_ -_ Bike shrunk by popular demand, dual ---> !{well,unicom}!ewhac
O----^o But it's still the only way to fly. hplabs / (pronounced "AE-wack")
"Work FOR? I don't work FOR anybody! I'm just having fun." -- The Doctor