Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeldor
Don't forget that content cannot be really copyrighted here. It's all mythology after all. So you'd pretty much have full rights if you got also code released.
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Actually this isn't true. The names of mythological creatures cannot be copyrighted (As these are ancient history), but the actual stories of the dom3 nations can. These are new works by the devs. It doesn't matter that these stories are inspired by mythology. If I write stories about the adventures of T'ien Ch'i vs Midgård Illwinter could not stop me, by claiming copyright infringement. (1)
But you cannot copyright game mechanics. You can copyright game images, boards, tiles, the way the rules are written etc. But not the rules themselves. (I don't know for sure if you can copyright statlines, but I assume you cannot, as they are just a collection of numbers).
If you throw in patents and trademarks the whole discussion changes of course. But these tend to cost money. Copyright is free.
But remember, I'm not a lawyer. And it differs from country to country. (And even from judge to judge).
And my information is based on the US copyright website.
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html
Is the code for dom1 and dom2 open source actually? Why not ask for the code to that first? I'd say, open source dom1 first!
(Actually, I would be more interested if the game images where put in public domain, or released under a license. Good unit sprites are a lot harder to create than programming code
.)
Note:
(1) Actually they could stop me, but that is just by throwing a lot of lawyers at me. But they would not have a case, but it would still force me to get a lawyer, go to court etc etc. Wasting my turns
.