Bazix breaks relationship with MSX AssociationMSX Resource Center MSXdev 2008 - MSX1 development bonanza!              
              
English Nederlands Español Português Russian         
 News
   Frontpage
  News archive
  News topics

 Resources
   MSX Forum
  Articles
  Reviews
  Fair reports
  Photo shoots
  Fairs and meetings
  Polls
  Links
  Search

 Software
   Downloads
  Webshop

 MRC
   Who we are
  Join our team
  Donate
  Policies
  Contact us
  Link to Us
  Statistics

 Search
 
  

  

 Login
 

Username

Password




Don't you have an account yet? Become an MSX-friend and register an account now!.


 Statistics
 

There are 119 guests and 1 MSX friend online

You are an anonymous user.
 

Bazix breaks relationship with MSX Association

MSX Revival - Bazix breaks relationship with MSX Association

 Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 02:45
 Submitted by: wolf_
 Topic: MSX Revival
 
You may have noticed that various things are going on in the MSX Revival lately, such as the recent transfer of the MSX trademarks from MSX Association to the MSX Licensing Corporation and the fact that there still isn't a Western edition of the 1chipMSX yet. Little over an hour ago, Bazix has announced on their website that Bazix has decided to stop being the European representative of MSX Association. A summary of the full message:
  • Bazix has not been able to bring the commercial MSX Revival beyond the Japanese borders
  • Bazix is no longer a representative of MSX Association
  • Bazix will not be able to deliver us the announced Western 1chipMSX
  • Woomb.net will be taken down until further notice. Current Woomb customers will be able to download and play their purchases though.
  • Bazix announces to cooperate with D4 Enterprise and the newly formed MSX Licensing Corporation in one or more retro gaming projects. More info will be expected during autumn 2008.
The full text can be read on the Bazix website. It's clear that Bazix has no intentions to stop their activities, but the transfer of the MSX trademark has put MSX Association into a different position. This, combined with the fact that the Western edition of the 1chipMSX hasn't worked out so far, made Bazix decide to break up with MSX Association and continue their activities with D4 Enterprise/MSX Licensing Corporation. As for the three announced prizes for the MEGA challenge, these have been secured. They will be 1chipMSX'es, but obviously not the intended Western ones.

To end with a bit more optimistic tone: There's still the Project MSX site from D4E. Who knows, the 'one ore more retro gaming projects' may just be related to that. We'll keep you informed of further developments!

Relevant link: Bazix
 
 


By Google

By Arjan on June 26 2008, 09:16
What is Nishi's role in all of this? I read Nishi's working for ITNY (owner of MSX Licensing Corporation), but is Nishi still involved with the MSX Association? Or did he just move to another company and took the trademarks with him?
By Huey on June 26 2008, 09:44

By viejo_archivero on June 26 2008, 10:18
What about a graphic diagram of the actual scenario, or am I the only one who's pretty lost?
By pitpan on June 26 2008, 10:46
Something like that:

Users >- huge distance -< Companies

Now we only need another diagram for the companies' disputes.

Question #1: May I as independent freeware coder continue including the MSX logo/name in my productions?

Question #2: Is this breackage related to the fact that Nintendo is comercialising MSX games for the Wii virtual console? I mean, is it due to the "big profit outlook"?
By dhau on June 26 2008, 11:20
I know what Nishi thinks:

1) Steal all underwear
2) ???
3) Profit!
By konamiman on June 26 2008, 12:04
Quote:

Question #1: May I as independent freeware coder continue including the MSX logo/name in my productions?



I will do (well, I would do if needed). This people can call police whenever they want, well, if they aren't too busy killing themselves, of course.

Sorry but all this political stuff pisses me off a little already. I'm in the MSX world just for fun.
By wolf_ on June 26 2008, 12:10
I wouldn't worry about using MSX logos as long as you don't mess-up the logo and as long as you aren't a commercial company.
By EVPON on June 26 2008, 12:21
This situation is really strange. The most important now , who are good and who are bad? MSX Association, D4E? Who is preserving the MSX itself?
By pitpan on June 26 2008, 12:40
The users. STOP. As in the last 15 years. FULL STOP.
By wolf_ on June 26 2008, 12:55
..and internet .. face it
By Maggoo on June 26 2008, 15:09
Quote:

The most important now , who are good and who are bad? MSX Association, D4E? Who is preserving the MSX itself?



Why would there be anyone bad ?
Everyone is doing MSX stuffs as a hobby ony these days, who cares who "owns" the trademark. Will that change the way people play or develop MSX stuffs ? I dont think so
By dvik on June 26 2008, 18:04
I hope that the new organization will more friendly to emulators (MSX-A wasn't bad but not great either). I hope that system roms can be used freely and that the MSX logo can be used in emulators.
By SLotman on June 26 2008, 21:48
So now we have two "MSX factions"?

MSX A. / MSX A. Europe / TNI

and

D4E / MSX LC / Bazix

Which "group" now holds the MSX rights? Which one is connected to the OCM? Which one is connected to Wii releases?

Are we now back to the time when MSX A. was created and wondering if they will or not "go after" all MSX sites?

Or does it mean now we can make some site like worldofspectrum.org for MSX with no fear of evil corporations taking it all down?


By EVPON on June 26 2008, 23:18
Quote:


The most important now , who are good and who are bad? MSX Association, D4E? Who is preserving the MSX itself?

Why would there be anyone bad ?
Everyone is doing MSX stuffs as a hobby ony these days, who cares who "owns" the trademark. Will that change the way people play or develop MSX stuffs ? I dont think so



Is clear something happens, surely $$$$ problems or similar. Obviously these companies are in the MSX for money but I only would like to know what company is nearest to the MSX itself.
By dvik on June 26 2008, 23:34
Just because money may be involved doesn't mean that its a bad thing. If the new organizations does some thinking I'm sure they realize that their success can be boosted by an active community.

So basically. $$$ companies supports non profit organizations and enthusiasts which means more $$$'s to the companies and better for the enthusiasts.

Otoh, its unfortunately not uncommon that $$$ companies believes that the non profits is a threat but I hope that these new structures are smart enough to see to everyones best interest, including their own.
By karloch on June 27 2008, 00:34
It's sad to see things turned this way. Bazix's people worked so hard to bring MSX revival to Europe; even if they haven't managed to fully accomplish it at the end, I have to say a big thanks for trying so hard. Also, I agree with pitpan that MSX soul is the users: as long as we are arround, there will be MSX for many years
By dvik on June 27 2008, 00:41
Yep, I agree. Keep up the good work.
By Randam on June 28 2008, 14:38
Sad to hear this has happened with Bazix. A real pity for their initiative and hard work. Also sad to see there's not gonna be a western OCM. Hopefully they intend to continue with their translations in one form or another.
By Samor on July 01 2008, 22:14
I have a woomb account but I don't have the launcher anymore.
Could someone provide me with the launcher app, so I can redownload the games?



By wolf_ on July 02 2008, 00:15
email bazix?
By Samor on July 02 2008, 01:51
that's what I did before... well, a woomb account, specifically.
I'll try a bazix one.
By Grauw on July 04 2008, 20:22
So as far as I know MSX Association still claims to have the rights for the MSX brand? At the Den Dolder event, MSX Association mentioned royalties for commercial use of the MSX brand. The source linked to in the June 7 post is from a Benelux registry. What rights has ‘MSX Corporation’ acquired exactly? Just the Benelux rights, or worldwide? Is this disputed by the MSX Association?

By the way, isn’t it D4E that produced/distributed the 1chip MSX? I wonder why Bazix is blaming MSX Association for that now.

Either way, this is all very confusing, and it is probably understandable that I don’t really trust the MRC/Bazix reports . It seems like more clarity can be given, but isn’t right now.
By manuel on July 04 2008, 23:42
No, the royalties would have to be paid to MSX Licensing Corporation. It's the same old rights MSXA had, but now in a specialized company.

D4E at least sells the ESE System 3 under the name "1chipMSX".

I don't understand your blaming remark...
By manuel on July 05 2008, 12:34
Note that on http://eur.msxa.org/ you can find more info and ask these questions directly to MSXA.
By Arjan on July 05 2008, 17:02
MSX Licensing corporation has the trademark on MSX in at least the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and in the US. Unfortunately it isn't possible to search in the Japanese trademark database due to maintenance.

Quoting from http://eur.msxa.org/
"MSX trademark and copyright has been under the MSX Licensing Corporation holding, chaired by Dr. Nishi, ever since 1983. MSX Association, chaired by Dr. Nishi, is the operational division of MSX Licensing Corporation and manages the MSX logo, trademarks and copyrights. Groups and organizations wishing to use the MSX logo should continue to apply for a (free) license at MSX Association."
By Buhi on July 05 2008, 22:42
It seems MSX Association made a specific report about this issue. http://eur.msxa.org/en/node/6

By Arjan on July 05 2008, 23:04
Strange reports, I don't know what to believe of all of it. When I read it, I really got a feeling Patriek would be the one behind the European website of MSXA.

Just did a tracert to the IP address of the server where eur.msxa.org is hosted, it actually goes to www.tni.nl! Something's fishy...
By wolf_ on July 05 2008, 23:09
you can paint a pear black, but you can't hide the fact it's still a pear..
By Buhi on July 05 2008, 23:18
Who is behind Bazix?
who is behind MRC?

Can you tell who is behind you?
| can tell you Mr. West is behind me.
By Huey on July 06 2008, 00:04
The report indeed shows some lack of professionalism. But I could be wrong as the language barrier could play parts.

As an association it's very unlikely that they would express such accusations in public. So I do have doubts...
By Rikusu on July 06 2008, 15:31
The 'report' that's published at the European MSX Association website, is probably for most of you the first thing to see that the relationship between MSX Association and Bazix could not be carried any further. For us (Bazix), it's unfortunately not the first thing in this category to see. Of course, our version of this story is totally different. As Arjan already noticed, there's a link between the European MSXA and TNI. The person who has done his best to obstruct anything Bazix has tried to accomplish so far, is now closely involved in the European MSX Association and strikingly enough, unargumented accusations are thrown at Bazix once again - now from MSX Association's side. Even if there was any truth in MSX Association's story, wouldn't it be much more logical to solve this internally instead of posting some unconstructive post on a newly erected website?

For those who hadn't noticed yet: all recent news around MSX Association takes place in Europe, not in Japan anymore. Buhi is wondering who is behind MRC and who is behind Bazix, a matter that is of no importance here at all, but it reminds me of somebody who thought this to be a heated issue as well.

Anyway, we trust that things will be sorted out in the near future. Any official statements will be published at the Bazix website.
By Buhi on July 06 2008, 16:15



By Rikusu on July 06 2008, 16:19
Hi Buhi, why ask such questions on a public forum?
By wolf_ on July 06 2008, 16:23
As for a who is behind who, I find it fascinating to see that "the only official contact place for MSX Association in Europe" has no information about what it is, who is behind it, who 'Admin' is, what they do, there's not even a link to the main domain (msxa) they're representing! Even the contact method shows no email address, only a form to fill in.

The only thing I recognize is the style of the language..
By Buhi on July 06 2008, 16:26
sorry about I ask to you such a personal question on such a well-respected public forum as this.
I want to apologize to you in person, can I come to your house?
By Rikusu on July 06 2008, 16:35
As you know my e-mail address, you're welcome to contact me by e-mail. I see no point in continuing this discussion over here.
By Buhi on July 06 2008, 16:48
Do you have time? I think you are busy person. If you have time let go out for drinks.
I give you a Heineken from my private money. If You like to drink more, you can give me a Carlsberg from somebody's money.


This is just hobby site right? I feel more open conversation is possible.

I am not interest for ask directly to you about your personal problem. I won't speak about your court problem in TOKYO.
By Huey on July 06 2008, 17:07
Bleh .... I'm leaving this thread. I'm allergic to mud throwing.........


By wolf_ on July 06 2008, 17:27
I see the "European" msxa site was updated with the name of the operator .. in Japanese ..

Now there's finally information! According to babelfish, the operator is called: Thorn use Kawahara. I'll use TUK from here.. so is this TUK guy also the Admin?
By Buhi on July 06 2008, 17:41
You look so happy.

By manuel on July 06 2008, 23:39
My advice: just have a real life talk. Much better than e-mail, always clears things up... and it can't hurt anyone.
By Samor on July 07 2008, 21:07
tracert also clears up a lot

tracert to msxa.org ends up at something wich looks asian

tracert to eur.msxa.org ends up at TNI.NL

tracert's do not lie...
Arjan already mentioned this, so I'm not gonna take credit... but in case I sound like a liar... surely your pc's command prompt doesn't lie.

By Grauw on July 07 2008, 21:40
Yes, MSX Association has contacted TNI (amongst several other parties), and like TNI has organised the MSX 25th anniversary event, TNI is also hosting the European website. So?
By Samor on July 07 2008, 22:21
so? you tell me.
It's curious, to say the least.
By viejo_archivero on July 09 2008, 14:17
"In the past 3 years, MSX Association has not received any report (neither business nor financial reports) from Bazix about their operations as our 'representatives'. Furthermore, MSX Association never received any money from Bazix, neither did Bazix settle with us after they cut our relationship."

/me curious on that. Bazix never reported anything neither gave a cent to MSXA?
By Samor on July 09 2008, 22:33
I'd like to know that too. Some other reports I read kind of claimed the opposite.

By snout on July 10 2008, 23:07
I don't know whether there's a point in discussing all this publicly (which is why I haven't joined the discussion until now), but I would just like to stress that Bazix has - of course - sent reports to MSX Association. I don't know why this, amongst other things, is stated on the European MSXA website (which currently appears to be down) as MSXA could've easily contacted us by e-mail or phone, should there be any unclarities.
By rolins on July 11 2008, 17:12
@Samor - I have a backup of the woomb launcher. I can send it by email if you still need it.

I hope Woomb comes back soon, I was really looking forward to more Microcabin and T&ESOFT.


By Samor on July 13 2008, 13:02
thanks rolins, but I already got it

By rolins on July 16 2008, 06:50
I already bought alot of games from woomb and there's still a 2 more I'm interested in. Is it possible to still make a last minute request? How can I get in touch with people at woomb?
By wolf_ on July 16 2008, 11:48
Woomb is/was a product of Bazix, so the 'people of Woomb' are simply the people of Bazix, e.g. info@bazix.nl


 Recent news
 
MGS5 mentioned 
MSX Fair Nijmegen 2009 announced 
Pinky Ponky 3 article at Passion MSX 
Pinky Ponky 2 article at Passion MSX 
Pinky Ponky 1 article at Passion MSX 
MSX Radio at Passion MSX 
CasLink2 
King Kong 2 article 
SCUMM poll down, ten years poll up 
MSX Info Update 2008 compo results 

[ News archive ]

 Latest forum posts
 
Turbo-r A1-ST for sale
nms 8235 pc drive building in
For sale and trade
Want to buy MSX2+ or MSX Turbo R
MSX emulation on Nokia N95
Convert to Stereo FMPAC
Cartridges wanted for lots of cash
Merges , acquisitions and share holders of Game companies.
Wanna buy CF adapter (or SD)
Games that the MSX should have:

[ View MSX forum ]

 Poll
 
What will our scene be like in ten years?

Extremely active
More active
Like it is now
Less active
Not even worth mentioning anymore

[ View results ]

 Latest reactions
 
MSX Fair Nijmegen 2009 announced
GP32 (Gamepark) coming to Europe!
Bussum 2008 - Registration opened
MEGA Challenge - 09. LEDA
CasLink2
MSX Radio at Passion MSX
Taito Game Legends
SCUMM poll down, ten years poll up
Pinky Ponky 1 article at Passion MSX
ZANAC - new versions by Compile
 Affilates
 
WOOMB.net
Play-Asia
eBay
 Sponsored Links
 

(c) 1994 - 2008 MSX Resource Center Foundation. MSX is a trademark of MSX Licensing Corporation.