And to be honest, I'd rather see the rights with someone like Lemm and see Netkeen go big.
If I had the rights i'd grant a licence to develop a commercial game to anyone who 'auditioned' successfully e.g. Lemm's netkeen as it currently stands would earn him my permission to continue developing it.
I would not interfere with the ability to mod Keen, just as Id haven't, but i would have to control the commercial side of things. Reasons for this include: a) i'd have shelled out big bucks and don't want to be trampled over in my investment. b) i don't want another keen GBC- esque game produced.
Edit: I re-read the poll and option c intrigued me - "I would like to continue modding so I can feel needed" - as we currently believe strongly, modding is needed to keep the community full of significant events - thus I would like to use the power that comes with the rights to promote mods - build or fund an improved version of existing forums, wiki etc so that perhaps a wider audience could be reached.
The above sounds like hollow election promises; we shall see. I'm a student now (i could contribute at most ten quid) but will soon step onto a professional rung which means a few €€€ will be heading my way.
I enjoyed your article!!