kxmode, you are incorrect. Smith and Tinker have a COMMERCIAL LICENSE from Microsoft to utilize the property. Microsoft still holds all IP, Copyright and Trademarks to the electronic versions of Battletech and Mechwarrior. This also holds true for previous FASA properties of Crimson Skies and Shadowrun. You can check the government trademark websites and Microsofts own website.
This is confirmed by Smith and Tinker, Microsoft and the Copyright and Trademarks offices if you call them or email them. They only have license to use the properties, they do now OWN them (There was a lot of confusion in when this happened early on). We were assured by Microsoft that we could continue and this should not have an effect unless Smith and Tinker were to complain and Microsoft would have to agree.
Mektek, a collaborator with Smith and Tinker and Microsoft for Mechwarrior 4 free release also confirms this.
This comment was edited on Jun 13, 2010, 16:17.