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I have been dedicating a lot of time to reading through all threads possible related to the Blizzard lawsuits against MBC and OGN, Korean views on the faults of Kespa, and the arguments given by both Blizzard/Gretech and Kespa/OGN/MBC camps.
So then I will give a summarized insight into what is going on in everyone's minds right now:
(My opinions are bracketed below each line)
1) Kespa has overreached its hand and tarnished its reputation too much to win back the polarized Korean fans.
- (Seeing the light of day more and more recently)
2) Blizzard/Gretech being very unreasonable in their terms of negotiation regarding BW broadcasts and IP rights.
- (Due to the bad blood between Gretech and Kespa, the terms could be seen as too damaging to OGN and MBC)
3) OGN and MBC are both victims of this whole debacle between Blizzard/Gretech and Kespa.
- (Very much true)
4) Most particularly, MBC cannot afford to agree on Gretech's terms due to barely breaking even on BW broadcasts.
- (True to an extent)
***
However much we can point fingers at each other and say who is right, we are seeing a disaster of epic proportions looming in the horizon with regards to the future of e-sports.
To put that in perspective, let's discuss the possible consequences of the lawsuits, shall we?
Scenario 1: Blizzard/Gretech wins the lawsuits and Kespa dissolves. If we believe their "good intentions", they will let BW live on and re-negotiate with OGN and MBC on better terms.
- (How do we know they are not just crying sheep in wolf's clothing?)
Scenario 2: OGN/MBC wins the lawsuits, and BW continues on. Blizzard/Gretech refocuses their efforts into SC2 and leaves BW alone.
- (But will the Korean fans dissent Kespa even more?)
Scenario 3: Blizzard/Gretech wins the lawsuits, and shuts down BW to make way for SC2. Kespa dissolves, and BW progamers either lose their livelihood or move on to SC2.
- (This is the worst-case scenario possible. Let's pray this is not what will happen.)
Scenario 4: OGN/MBC wins the lawsuit, and Blizzard feels its IP rights have been compromised. It pulls out SC2 from SK and Kespa may dissolve due to blind hatred from fans.
- (Another worst-case scenario, and even more drastic than Scenario 3 - where will we, as fans of both games, benefit from that?)
***
Now then, none of those scenarios look appealing to say the least. I would, in my opinion, want MBC and OGN to be free from this whole mess... but I no longer have any confidence in either Blizzard/Gretech or Kespa to be solving this in a proper manner benefiting all fans.
Some would say Scenario 1 is actually a positive scenario. It may well be, but ever since the merger with Activision, Blizzard has shown to be... less savory with their restrictive EULA terms and Battlenet 2.0.
The real question here is, is Blizzard even willing to sustain the entire BW proscene with its teams, sponsors, progaming houses and support for fans, once Kespa dissolves? It remains to be seen.
And that is my fear currently. I just want to see BW and SC2 move on together without any more legal issues, but now, this is becoming a distinct reality more than before.
This makes me sad. =\
 
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Well anything could happen and as the scenario that you pointed out I am not sure where the hell these suing and allegation will lead to and it's not doing any good for the community at all . I just want to watch pro league games but blizzard is making it harder for OGN and MBC due to their excessive monetary demands pushed towards this small time broadcaster . On the end note lets hope that blizzard leave bw alone and do what ever sc2 related they want and stop bullying bw .
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I once made a post with my theory on a scenario that I think is the best and could work given Blizzard wins. It went something like this...
On November 05 2010 07:54 xBillehx wrote:
Note: The following is my own opinion as I'm not qualified to make factual statements about anything regarding this issue.
I don't think Blizzard is going to kill KeSPA. If they die it's because they stubbornly held out and killed themselves. Once (if) OGN and MBC comply with the fee & 50-50 IP rights debacle or whatever the agreement they come to, Blizzard will allow them to continue their leagues. I mean, if MBC and OGN comply, what can Blizzard say they're doing wrong then? Nothing. And it'd be stupid for anyone to believe they'd push any further than that to "kill BW" because that'd erase all support from Korean citizens. KeSPA may still be pissy with Blizzard afterwards but without OGN/MBC, the Proleague cant air, so they'll have to accept it if they want to live. People say it's not so profitable so the fees are too much, but KeSPA is full of Big, Rich, Corporations. All they have to do is write it off as advertising (which is what their teams are made for - or should be) and everything's fine.
The ideal way I think this can (and should) work is:
1. OGN/MBC want to air BW for ratings, so they contract a deal with Blizzard/Gretech for permission.
2. KeSPA want's its teams (faces of the sponsors) in BW leagues for advertisement, so they contract a deal with OGN/MBC to pay some/all the fees.
3. OSL/MSL/Proleague continue, OGN/MBC get ratings, KeSPA (Sponsors) get's advertisement, and because of Sponsors happy with their names plastered on TV, they in turn continue funding their teams to better the team's (and in turn the Sponsors name!) success, popularity, and stability.
4. Blizzard is happy people respect their IP rights, Gretech is happy people respect their contract to sub-license broadcasting for Blizzard games, OGN/MBC are happy they get tons of people tuning in to their channels, KeSPA (Sponsors) is/are happy that people think of Samsung, SKT, etc etc when watching BW, Fans are happy they're still able to watch BW.
Afterthought: Trust builds between the different parties, SC2 may also be broadcast on awesome channels bringing in even more viewers, BW dies of natural death when (if) it's not so popular anymore, Sponsors create SC2 teams for further (international) advertisement, and e-Sports truly grows.
What can I say, I'm an optimist! :D
Then it got drowned out by the pointless bickering from internet lawyers about who is right or wrong. </3
All in all I don't think KeSPA needs to dissolve. I mean it could, but what's important to note is that it dissolving doesn't necessarily mean the sponsors that make up KeSPA suddenly don't want their names on TV. Of course they do, and if it's possible I see no reason why they would stop, so I see no reason why Blizzard would have to resort to sustaining the pro-teams themselves. The pro-teams are the Sponsors teams, paid for to represent the brand. If they want brand representation on TV/Internet/wherever, they fund the teams. It's called advertising! But again, I don't think they need to dissolve nor do I think they will.
I also don't understand the fear that Blizzard will come in, control everything and destroy it. They let Gretech run the GSL all by themselves, doing as they wish without Blizzard impeding them in any way. They let MLG run things by themselves, again doing as they wish without Blizzard impeding them in any way. If KeSPA/OGN/MBC had agreed/will agree to the terms put up (which I in fact think are incredibly reasonable compared to other broadcasting contracts I've seen) I fail to see a reason why Blizzard wouldn't just let them run things like they do Gretech & MLG.
I definitely think some parties are making this a whole lot harder than it needs to be.
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ALLEYCAT BLUES49479 Posts
If only we had a GeSPA who would protect E-Sports for the entire world instead of just KeSPA who only care about Korea.
Regardless I would say Scenario 2 is probably better than 1 because its pretty much the most sure existence of both pro SC1 and SC2 which is what we all want,no?
Korean netizens hate on anything.The true fans are the ones who don't say anything and just watch the games.
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Nothing about the lawsuits has anything to do with kespa dissolving. if anything money will be found to pay gretechs feess in one way or another. I don't see kespa going anywhere unfortunitely
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5- Blizzard and KeSPA reset everything, make a deal, KeSPA stops fucking with SC2 and GOM stops fucking with KeSPA, Blizz-KeSPA-OGN MBC GOM share all the money coming from BW&SC2, both scenes continue, fans of both games are happy and even korean netizens stop hating on KeSPA.
Most optimistic case anyone?
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On November 14 2010 22:09 Metalwing wrote:
5- Blizzard and KeSPA reset everything, make a deal, KeSPA stops fucking with SC2 and GOM stops fucking with KeSPA, Blizz-KeSPA-OGN MBC GOM share all the money coming from BW&SC2, both scenes continue, fans of both games are happy and even korean netizens stop hating on KeSPA.
Most optimistic case anyone?
Sounds like a fairy tale ending though...
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ALLEYCAT BLUES49479 Posts
On November 14 2010 22:12 Sawamura wrote:Show nested quote +On November 14 2010 22:09 Metalwing wrote:
5- Blizzard and KeSPA reset everything, make a deal, KeSPA stops fucking with SC2 and GOM stops fucking with KeSPA, Blizz-KeSPA-OGN MBC GOM share all the money coming from BW&SC2, both scenes continue, fans of both games are happy and even korean netizens stop hating on KeSPA.
Most optimistic case anyone? Sounds like a fairy tale ending though...
its possible if the Korean government get tired of this nonsense bickering.
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On November 14 2010 22:12 Sawamura wrote:Show nested quote +On November 14 2010 22:09 Metalwing wrote:
5- Blizzard and KeSPA reset everything, make a deal, KeSPA stops fucking with SC2 and GOM stops fucking with KeSPA, Blizz-KeSPA-OGN MBC GOM share all the money coming from BW&SC2, both scenes continue, fans of both games are happy and even korean netizens stop hating on KeSPA.
Most optimistic case anyone? Sounds like a fairy tale ending though...
Too good to be true but too good if it's true.
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Hmm... My hopes:
Court decides that Gretech/Blizzard does have IP rights for BW but rules that this being an e-sport they do not have broadcast rights. Meaning KespA (or the TV-stations) will be forced to pay royalties but are free to broadcast leages when they want.
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EPT
