On Hold

[Leif_-]

Originally posted by PDF:
I find the situation totally ridiculous : do you think Activision will file Zen because he used a MAP OF EUROPE image taken from MTW to make a free map for Dominions - a game that has maybe a couple thousands players - and advertised it on a small board, not much more popular than a suburb game shop ?
This has nothing to do with piracy, and bears no loss to the publisher either ...
Maybe they would fine him 3 bucks ?
C'mon, men, be serious, firms and lawyers have more lucrative occupations

No, I don't really believe it's likely that there would have been any legal repercussions over it - except perhaps a cease and desist notice (which doesn't really have any legal status as such). However, I'm more concerned about the principle of the thing than the possibility for punishment. I believe it's both right and in the long run better that we (the Dominions community) try to keep our path clean, and this was a case that would have been a clear copyright violation.

No, the outline and geography of Europe is of course not under copyright, but this was a particular artistic reendition of it, which is.

Remember, copyright law is what protects Illwinter and Shrapnel Games and keeps them in buisness, as well as any artistic endeavours you or I might decide to pursue. I think it behooves us to respect the copyright of others the way we want our own copyright to be respected.

[Wauthan]

I had a similar conundrum when looking for unit graphics. Since there are a fair amount of fansites dedicated to "abandoned" games, meaning they are so old that they no longer present on the shelves in the shops, I thought I could copy some of their graphics to use in this game.

But I got cold feet after a few units. I got sort of burned in the small artists against Baldurs Gate portraits flamewar and I have no wish to get those kind of e-mail any time soon.

Perhaps Illwinter could add one or two guidelines up that we could follow?

[Gandalf Parker]

As far as who does or does not care about copyright laws I think you will find that a publisher of games (you know, the ones that own this discussion forum) might have their own stand on it so I wouldnt advise a discussion on whether or not copyrights in general should be followed. The rest of us can probably afford to be alittle careful when it comes to other peoples possible liabilites.
Oh yeah, and its not law that is to be feared here. Its lawsuits. And lawsuits tend to include distributers.

As to the map, I havent seen it. However, copyright tends to apply to claiming ownership of a complete work. If you use pieces, or give proper credit (at least dont take credit), then you are usually safe enough unless notified otherwise. I suspect that using a map image in another game would not constitute a real copyright problem if you leave any signatures in place on the image but again I dont know the particulars on this one.

However, I am still very interested in any other game where the map icons (trees, mountains, rivers) are about the right size for us. And especially if that game has a map generator software.

[ March 01, 2004, 13:40: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Teraswaerto]

What I don't understand is why Zen deleted all his Posts in this thread...

[PDF]

Originally posted by Teraswaerto:
What I don't understand is why Zen deleted all his Posts in this thread...

Neither did I. I'd really want to know Zen's opinion about this, as I find stupid that map isn't hosted.
I have the map, I can host it, and as I don't even know Zen's real name he has nothing to fear, I won't betray him to the e-KGB !

[ March 01, 2004, 18:38: Message edited by: PDF ]

My ISP has been down since this morning and I have only just barely had the time at work to be able to look at the Boards. I didn't want any sort of contraversy.

The reason I deleted my Posts was not out of fear of copyright laws, illegal use of other's intellectual property or anything of that nature (for any reason). But because I feel the respect due to people's work should be dealt with in the proper fashion.

The Case: If I feel my work is important enough to warrant a Copyright I feel it is important enough to deserve the reservation and credit due.

I respect that case and support it wholeheartedly, even if it isn't particularly large or for non-profit or anything of that nature. I respect the author of the M:TW map and his effort and time he put into whatever portion I used to create my map.

In order for me to appropriately show that respect, I will wait for any reservations or provisions that they may or may not have. The first Email I recieved from M:TW (Before the map was completed) was ambigious and seemed sort of little importance to them, though they did not specifically give me permission to use or edit their map.

I sent a more direct Email detailing everything about what I have done and other issues. But as I said, my email is down, so I have no way of knowing if they have responded.

If in the end; they do not wish to have their map used (and credited to them, even a little free publicity) as a fan-based, non-profit map for a competitor's game, then I will respect their wishes.

If they do, I'll authorize the reposting of the map and give the appropriate amount of credits in the appropriate fashion to do so.

I actually thought of this all before I finished the map; but due to the feedback I rethought it and wanted a more clear answer from those who own the intellectual rights, so that proper respect is given.