From: George Jost <jost <at> LSEC <dot> LETE <dot> DND <dot> CA>
Date: 27 may 1998
Subject: Sweet from sour.... (English Shogi Material)-Reply

I think the real problem with translating shogi is the lack of
financial incentive to publish material on the game; at this
time there are just too few of us! I had the impression that
most of those who attempted to capture our market
lost money on Shogi. Go on the otherhand is
far more profitable; there is no western equivalent and
the game is traditionally played in SEVERAL asian countries.

I asked Sam Sloan why he does not publish Shogi for Beginners
and give royalties to the author on the profits from the legitamate
book. He has not  answered me yet. I don't know if it is a legal
or a financial matter... Pity I think that other new Shogi players
should be able to (legally) obtain the book - the effort has
already been made by Mr. F. We as a list could encourage
new players to buy the legal copy and the lawsuits if any
for the illegal copies could continue? Perhaps I am being
too optimistic. Perhaps the venture may be actually a
money loser ... publishing a book is not cheap.
 >>> SChazworth <SChazworth <at> AOL <dot> COM> 05/27/98 12:48am >>>

Why are there problems with new authors (preferably from inside of
Japan, where the legal troubles seem to be negligible) publishing
translated works into other languages?  This guy sues new authors'
material as well?