[Freeciv-Dev] (PR#14538) Freeciv policy on fictional nations needed

["Daniel Markstedt" <himasaram@xxxxxxxx>]

<URL: http://bugs.freeciv.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=14538 >

Freeciv is badly in need of a clear policy on fictional nations. And 
with fictional nations, I primarily mean nations derived from the 
fantasy worlds of various authors. The current praxis of "keep those we 
got but disallow adding more" isn't sufficient. It doesn't even make 
sense allowing Middle Earth only - an "intellectual property" that is 
generating huge profits for the video game industry right now. I can't 
think of any fiction that would be more 'risky' to borrow!

We could...

- Either allow an unlimited number of fictional nation, on the basis of 
free speech and fair use - basically staying clear of any names 
explicitly trademarked for use in video games.

- Or, remove the current four Middle Earth nations and completely 
disallow adding non-original fictional nations.

If we chose the latter way, we should still leave the flags in (that 
are original work for Freeciv.) That way, players can easily hook up to 
a modded server and play their favorite ME nation while the Freeciv 
project itself stays clear of the threat of legal action.

Regards,
-Daniel