A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
A player, 29 August 2011
Relevant Text: Open: Target another player's Holding with a base Gold cost of 1-4: This card copies one of its base abilities that does not itself copy abilities, or one of its Gold-producing traits.
Since it doesn't say 'until the end of the turn' nor 'permanently', how does it work?
a) Copy abilities for ever (making a hell of a headache if your opponent has Barley Farm). b) Copy until the end of the turn (making it a very good card).
Thank you (again).
Addendum: I searched the forum for this answer but wasn't able to find any, and so, before asking any question I went to the wiki, but the answer was not there (or I wasn't able to find). [url=http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Glossary_C#Copying_abilities]Copying Abilities - Wiki[/quote].
Brook Cunningham (rules official), 29 August 2011
Relevant Text: Open: Target another player's Holding with a base Gold cost of 1-4: This card copies one of its base abilities that does not itself copy abilities, or one of its Gold-producing traits.
Since it doesn't say 'until the end of the turn' nor 'permanently', how does it work?
a) Copy abilities for ever (making a hell of a headache if your opponent has Barley Farm). b) Copy until the end of the turn (making it a very good card).
Thank you (again).
Addendum: I searched the forum for this answer but wasn't able to find any, and so, before asking any question I went to the wiki, but the answer was not there (or I wasn't able to find). [url=http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Glossary_C#Copying_abilities]Copying Abilities - Wiki[/quote].
Here it is:
Ongoing Effects: "Ongoing effects last until the end of the turn in which they were applied unless otherwise indicated."
So, it doesn't have to say "until the end of the turn"; that's the default unless otherwise stated, and that's how long the ability or trait stays copied for Stolen Merchandise.