In reply to:

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3.) What's the story with FASA and lawsuits about their 'Mech designs,
anyway? (Or: What happened to the "banned" (they are /not/ banned)
'Mechs????) Note: The (more or less) "official" title here on the
newsgroup for these 'Mechs is the Unseen 29(or just the Unseen),
courtesy of Hugh Browne.

The Unseen 29 are:
Locust, Stinger, Wasp, Valkyrie, Ostscout, Phoenix Hawk, Shadow Hawk,
Griffin, Wolverine, Thunder Bolt, Ostroc, Ostsol, Rifleman, Crusader,
Archer, Warhammer, Marauder, BattleMaster, Marauder II, Goliath,
Scorpion, Locust IIC, Phoenix Hawk IIC, Griffin IIC, Shadow Hawk IIC,
Rifleman IIC, Warhammer IIC, the "original" Longbow, and the Marauder
IIC.

Additionally, it appears that the Galleon Tank and Samurai Aerospace
fighter have gone the way of the Unseen as well.

[Ken’ note: No great loss there.]

Note: They are discontinued. That means the art is no longer
produced by FASA (see below for why). They are /not/ banned!!! You
can still play in tournaments with them as official 'Mechs and their
record sheets are available in the Record Sheets Books (FASA
#1694-1696).

[Ken’ note: For those who need it repeated, they are not banned and
may be used at Tournaments. Just keep an eye on your minis,
especially if I’m around.]

The reason for their discontinuation is a rather long story, and there
is a great deal of speculation as to the exact facts of the situation.
Since the lawsuit was settled, none of the participants have disclosed
anything about it. For now, though, the 'Mechs above will simply not
be pictured, though they and their miniatures are perfectly legal for
tournament play.

The only people who really know the whole complete and true story are
FASA and Harmony Gold, and neither of them are talking. Honestly,
we’ve just accepted it. It really is a dead horse to most people.

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