Information Update:
2004-January-09

As of 9th July 2003, the contract between Columbia Games Inc and myself was terminated. Under the contract's Termination Clause, Columbia Games was required to immediately assign and/or re-assign all title and interest in Hârn & all derived products, back to myself (N. Robin Crossby), and to immediately cease publication of new Hârn & Hârn-related products. (More Information Here).

The Company did retain the right to dispose of existing inventory until 9th January 2004. After that date, the company has no legal right to publish or sell any products having to do with Hârn or HârnMaster. Columbia Games has not complied with their legal obligations in these regards. Instead, the company chose to initiate a public dispute in the course of which, they threatened litigation, made false and misleading claims and cast aspersions upon myself personally.

It is true that Columbia Games would have the right to dispute the termination of the contract which allowed them to publish Hârn & HârnMaster products. However, the contract itself made absolutely clear the procedure they would be required to follow, and the timing of that procedure. Columbia Games did not undertake the required procedure and instead chose to indulge in public propaganda. In fact, in a legal sense, Columbia Games has taken no steps to dispute the contract termination.

Columbia Games and I have exchanged some informal proposals in an attempt to negotiate a new arrangement. Unfortunately, there is no indication that Columbia Games is serious about reaching a fair settlement since they demand the right to publish my work, and products derived from my work without any kind of recompense. This is not only a breach of copyright, but even violates the (now defunct) contract to which the company claims to adhere.

To clarify the present situation:

Columbia Games does not presently have any right to make or publish any Hârn or HârnMaster material;

It may be noted that, even if the contract between us were still in force, Columbia Games would still not have the right to publish third-party material having to do with Hârn or HârnMaster without my consent. Columbia Games does not currently have any such consent.

Here at Keléstia Productions, we still hope that some kind of new license can be agreed with Columbia Games, but as of this date, no such agreement has been reached.

In July 2003, I opened www.kelestia.com offering free downloads, as well as an eShop where you can purchase authorised Hârn & HârnMaster products. In less than six months, we have released six major products and more than a dozen free downloads. The new official products are sold under the brands "Hârn Canon" and "HârnMaster Canon". More products will be continuously added.

N. Robin Crossby
Creator of Hârn