From: Sam Sloan <ishipres <at> BEST <dot> COM>
Date: 22 nov 1996
Subject: Re: Rules

At 09:37 AM 11/22/96 +0100, Jonathan Tisdall wrote:

>Calm down Sam, no reason to get so huffy. Especially since, at least as far
>as I  know, rules in comprehensible form do exist. What's wrong with
>Fairbairn, published originally by the good ol' Ishi press? Not that
>something newer and clearer wouldn't be welcome.
>Best,
>
>jt
>

The short answer is that the Fairbairn rules of shogi are copyrighted by
John Fairbairn. It is my understanding that Mr. Fairbairn is a full time
professional translator from Japanese into English. I therefore doubt that
Mr. Fairbairn is willing to have his rules republished or reprinted without
payment of some kind.

My rules are available. I have no objection at the present time for anybody
to use my rendition of the rules in any way they see fit, as long as I am
given credit for writing them and I am notified of their use. My rules may,
for the time being at least, be translated into any language or used in any way.

For example, there are numerous web sites around the internet containing
articles I have written about chess and other topics. In most, but not all
cases, the owners of those web sites have written me and asked my permission
first, which has been freely granted.

In view of the comments made by members of this shogi discussion group, I
have added two new sections to my rules of shogi. These concern handicap
games and the ranking system. I am sending these new sections to this group
by separate e-mail. Any comments, criticism or feedback would be greatly
appreciated.

Sam Sloan