DRL > Discussion
Doom, id, and copyright issues
Gamera:
DoomRL uses copyright protected sounds and trademark protected logos and names. The ascii art in descriptions probably counts as derivative works too. If ID wished they could enforce their rights and send Kornel a cease & desist. They could try suing for damages but I doubt a judge would find that any losses were incurred by the violations.
Wolfenstein 3D doesn't have copyright issues with Doom because it was made by the same people and it predates Doom and it doesn't share any intellectual property anyway -_-
There's a big difference between copyright, trademark and patent laws but everyone on the internet seems to think they're the same thing.
Basically DoomRL is okay to distribute because ID probably know about it and they don't give a shit.
Kornel Kisielewicz:
I'll just point something out -- I don't want to challenge ID in any way -- probably if I would recieve a C&D letter, after some tries to save the project (by removing the soundfiles and whatever else they'd like me to do) I'd give up completely. I wouldn't feel so bad about it because for DoomRL it would be it's ultimate victory in terms of popularity :). Also I DO HOPE that ID software saw my game, for this is my way of paying tribute to that great work.
TFoN:
Kornel, why don't you just notify ID yourself? Both as a token of good will, and so that in the event that they will want to shut you down, there'll be less "damage" done to them, and so less to sue for (if they've really lost their minds).
MadCoder:
--- Quote ---There's a big difference between copyright, trademark and patent laws but everyone on the internet seems to think they're the same thing.
--- End quote ---
Yes, I fall into that category.
I would say it's safe to assume id knows about DoomRL, how could they not? Any company that doesn't perform regular searches for copyright..er..trademark infringements on the internet almost deserves to lose that revenue.
Judging from Carmacks roots, I think he wouldn't want to create a fuss anyway. I think other companies might feel differently though. An AliensRL might provoke some crap from the trademark holders...
Kornel Kisielewicz:
--- Quote from: MadCoder on February 07, 2007, 13:26 ---Judging from Carmacks roots, I think he wouldn't want to create a fuss anyway. I think other companies might feel differently though. An AliensRL might provoke some crap from the trademark holders...[/color]
--- End quote ---
LoL! :D
I on the other hand don't think so.
1) The word "Aliens" is hardly a trademark
2) "Alien Breed" series that takes tons of Aliens (including but not limited to the visual look of the aliens) stuff never got sued.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version