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

["Daniel Markstedt" <himasaram@xxxxxxxx>]

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

On Sun, 2006-01-15 at 15:13 +0100, Christian Knoke wrote:
> Daniel Markstedt wrote on Jan 14, 21:14 (-0800):
> > > [bdunstan149@xxxxxxxxx - Fri Nov 04 19:30:55 2005]:
> > > 
> > > On the other hand, in online playing you'll find a lot
> > > of "middle earth" civs.  Is there some kind of legal
> > > risk that outweighs the benefit it brings to users of
> > > the game?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> > Well, the particular risk is the risk of a cease-and-desist letter from
> > the ME trademark holders (Tolkien Enterprises, if I'm not mistaken).
> > Removing the ME content from Freeciv is a preemptive move as to avoid
> > their attention. IMHO Freeciv should avoid such attention at all costs,
> 
> Up to here, I agree fully.
> 
> There is a financial risk (attorney fees etc) at this point.
> 
> > since it's in most respects a clone of a game franchise that still is
> > very much 'alive'.
> 
> No, Freeciv only uses some ideas of Civilization, and is different in many
> aspects.
> 
> > I've also heard reports that Dunedain is the most or one of the most
> > played nations on pubserver. But on the other hand, we have loads of new
> > 'real' nations with some really good looking flags lined up for the next
> > release.
> 
> Yes, we can very well do without MiddleEarth.
> 
> Christian
> 


This patch removes all traces of ME content from Freeciv, even flags:
not because of any issues with the flag images themselves, but because
of the naming of them. The entire 'Fictional' group is gone as well
meaning the Martian nation will only be listed under the 'All' tab.

In addition, the documentation for nations is expanded.


Apart from this, the only thing in Freeciv that might be slightly risky
is the Krev flag. For those who wonder, Krev is an online art project
aiming to be some sort of virtual nation (official hp:
http://www.elgaland-vargaland.org/) 

I do not know the background of the Krev flag being in Freeciv. However,
I haven't been able to find proof that the design is public domain and
if its copyright status can't be resolved, I'd like to remove it.

-Daniel

Index: doc/README.nations
===================================================================
--- doc/README.nations  (revision 11454)
+++ doc/README.nations  (working copy)
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 http://www.freeciv.org/index.php/Nations
 
 
+
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 How to add a Nation:
 --------------------
@@ -62,6 +63,8 @@
   Here is yet another list of nations files; again add your nation
   (data/nation/<nationname>.ruleset) to it.
 
+
+
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 How to add a Flag:
 ------------------
@@ -151,6 +154,8 @@
 provides a convenient place for us to grab the sprite name. See the 
 section on How to Contribute in the Freeciv wiki for more instructions.
 
+
+
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contents and Style:
 -------------------
@@ -158,19 +163,27 @@
 What nations can be added to Freeciv?
 =====================================
 
+A nation in Freeciv should preferrably be a current independent country
+or a historical kingdom or realm. A nation that is currently governed
+by another political entity or in other ways lacks complete independence
+could be made a Freeciv nation, but must never be listed as "modern"
+(see 'Nation grouping' below.)
+
+Fictional content may not be added unless full permission is granted by
+the original author.
+
+
+Nation grouping
+===============
+
 Freeciv supports a classification of nations in an unlimited number of 
-groups. We currently have Ancient, Medieval, Modern, African, American, 
-Asian, European, Oceanian and Fictional groups. Modern nations are 
-existing (independent) states; ancient and medieval nations should have 
-had an independent dynasty or state in ancient or medieval times,
-respectively; fictional nations are those that are products of the 
-fantasy of an author. When adding fictional nations, you must make 
-sure names and flags are copyrighted in a GPL-compatible way.
+groups and every nation should be assigned to at least one. We currently 
+have Ancient, Medieval, Modern, African, American, Asian, European and 
+Oceanian groups. Modern nations are existing and politically independent
+countries; a nation listed as ancient or medieval should have had an
+independent dynasty or state in ancient or medieval times respectively. 
 
-A nation should be added to at least one relevant group, preferably 
-two or more if appropriate.
 
-
 Nation naming
 =============
 
@@ -353,4 +366,4 @@
 At this point, it is useful to put one city per line, only.
 
 Finally, don't forget to leave a blank line feed in the end of your nation
-ruleset.
\ No newline at end of file
+ruleset.
Index: data/default/nations.ruleset
===================================================================
--- data/default/nations.ruleset        (revision 11455)
+++ data/default/nations.ruleset        (working copy)
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@
 [ngroup_modern]
 name="Modern"
 match=1
-[ngroup_fictional]
-name="Fictional"
-match=2
 
 ; Below: nations data in sections [nation_*] for
 ; all nations available. If you want to have more
@@ -97,10 +94,8 @@
 *include "nation/ukrainian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/lithuanian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/kenyan.ruleset"
-*include "nation/dunedain.ruleset"
 *include "nation/vietnamese.ruleset"
 *include "nation/thai.ruleset"
-*include "nation/mordor.ruleset"
 *include "nation/bavarian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/brazilian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/irish.ruleset"
@@ -126,9 +121,7 @@
 *include "nation/austrian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/belgian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/colombian.ruleset"
-*include "nation/elvish.ruleset"
 *include "nation/galician.ruleset"
-*include "nation/hobbits.ruleset"
 *include "nation/indonesian.ruleset"
 *include "nation/kampuchean.ruleset"
 *include "nation/malaysian.ruleset"
Index: data/nation/Makefile.am
===================================================================
--- data/nation/Makefile.am     (revision 11455)
+++ data/nation/Makefile.am     (working copy)
@@ -40,10 +40,8 @@
                cuban.ruleset \
                czech.ruleset \
                danish.ruleset \
-               dunedain.ruleset \
                dutch.ruleset \
                egyptian.ruleset \
-               elvish.ruleset \
                english.ruleset \
                estonian.ruleset \
                ethiopian.ruleset \
@@ -57,7 +55,6 @@
                greek.ruleset \
                hellenic.ruleset \
                hittite.ruleset \
-               hobbits.ruleset \
                hungarian.ruleset \
                icelandic.ruleset \
                illyrian.ruleset \
@@ -87,7 +84,6 @@
                mayan.ruleset \
                mexican.ruleset \
                mongol.ruleset \
-               mordor.ruleset \
                newzealand.ruleset \
                nigerian.ruleset \
                norwegian.ruleset \
Index: data/nation/martian.ruleset
===================================================================
--- data/nation/martian.ruleset (revision 11454)
+++ data/nation/martian.ruleset (working copy)
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 name=_("Martian")
 plural=_("?plural:Martians")
-groups=_("Fictional")
 legend=_("Marsmen landed on Earth in 4000 BC!")
 leader=
  "Ray Bradbury",
Index: data/misc/shields.spec
===================================================================
--- data/misc/shields.spec      (revision 11455)
+++ data/misc/shields.spec      (working copy)
@@ -47,9 +47,7 @@
                "f.shield.cuba", "flags/cuba-shield"
                "f.shield.czech", "flags/czech-shield"
                "f.shield.denmark", "flags/denmark-shield"
-               "f.shield.dunedain", "flags/dunedain-shield"
                "f.shield.egypt", "flags/egypt-shield"
-               "f.shield.elves", "flags/elves-shield"
                "f.shield.england", "flags/england-shield"
                "f.shield.estonia", "flags/estonia-shield"
                "f.shield.ethiopia", "flags/ethiopia-shield"
@@ -63,7 +61,6 @@
                "f.shield.greece", "flags/greece-shield"
                "f.shield.greenland", "flags/greenland-shield"
                "f.shield.hittite", "flags/hittite-shield"
-               "f.shield.hobbits", "flags/hobbits-shield"
                "f.shield.holland", "flags/netherlands-shield"
                "f.shield.hungary", "flags/hungary-shield"
                "f.shield.iceland", "flags/iceland-shield"
@@ -95,7 +92,6 @@
                "f.shield.maya", "flags/maya-shield"
                "f.shield.mexico", "flags/mexico-shield"
                "f.shield.mongolia", "flags/mongolia-shield"
-               "f.shield.mordor", "flags/mordor-shield"
                "f.shield.myanmar", "flags/myanmar-shield"
                "f.shield.nato", "flags/nato-shield"
                "f.shield.netherlands", "flags/netherlands-shield"
Index: data/misc/flags.spec
===================================================================
--- data/misc/flags.spec        (revision 11455)
+++ data/misc/flags.spec        (working copy)
@@ -47,9 +47,7 @@
                "f.cuba", "flags/cuba"
                "f.czech", "flags/czech"
                "f.denmark", "flags/denmark"
-               "f.dunedain", "flags/dunedain"
                "f.egypt", "flags/egypt"
-               "f.elves", "flags/elves"
                "f.england", "flags/england"
                "f.estonia", "flags/estonia"
                "f.ethiopia", "flags/ethiopia"
@@ -63,7 +61,6 @@
                "f.greece", "flags/greece"
                "f.greenland", "flags/greenland"        ; used by Inuit
                "f.hittite", "flags/hittite"
-               "f.hobbits", "flags/hobbits"
                "f.holland", "flags/netherlands"        ; backward compatabiliy
                "f.hungary", "flags/hungary"
                "f.iceland", "flags/iceland"
@@ -95,7 +92,6 @@
                "f.maya", "flags/maya"
                "f.mexico", "flags/mexico"
                "f.mongolia", "flags/mongolia"
-               "f.mordor", "flags/mordor"
                "f.myanmar", "flags/myanmar"
                "f.nato", "flags/nato"
                "f.netherlands", "flags/netherlands"
Index: data/flags/Makefile.am
===================================================================
--- data/flags/Makefile.am      (revision 11455)
+++ data/flags/Makefile.am      (working copy)
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@
                cuba.png                \
                czech.png               \
                denmark.png             \
-               dunedain.png            \
-               elves.png               \
                egypt.png               \
                england.png             \
                estonia.png             \
@@ -54,7 +52,6 @@
                greece.png              \
                greenland.png           \
                hittite.png             \
-               hobbits.png             \
                hungary.png             \
                iceland.png             \
                illyria.png             \
@@ -85,7 +82,6 @@
                maya.png                \
                mexico.png              \
                mongolia.png            \
-               mordor.png              \
                myanmar.png             \
                nato.png                \
                netherlands.png         \
@@ -179,8 +175,6 @@
                cuba-shield.png                 \
                czech-shield.png                \
                denmark-shield.png              \
-               dunedain-shield.png             \
-               elves-shield.png                \
                egypt-shield.png                \
                england-shield.png              \
                estonia-shield.png              \
@@ -195,7 +189,6 @@
                greece-shield.png               \
                greenland-shield.png            \
                hittite-shield.png              \
-               hobbits-shield.png              \
                hungary-shield.png              \
                iceland-shield.png              \
                illyria-shield.png              \
@@ -226,7 +219,6 @@
                maya-shield.png                 \
                mexico-shield.png               \
                mongolia-shield.png             \
-               mordor-shield.png               \
                myanmar-shield.png              \
                nato-shield.png                 \
                netherlands-shield.png          \
@@ -320,9 +312,7 @@
                cuba.svg                \
                czech.svg               \
                denmark.svg             \
-               dunedain.svg            \
                egypt.svg               \
-               elves.svg               \
                england.svg             \
                estonia.svg             \
                ethiopia.svg            \
@@ -336,7 +326,6 @@
                greece.svg              \
                greenland.svg           \
                hittite.svg             \
-               hobbits.svg             \
                hungary.svg             \
                iceland.svg             \
                illyria.svg             \
@@ -367,7 +356,6 @@
                maya.svg                \
                mexico.svg              \
                mongolia.svg            \
-               mordor.svg              \
                myanmar.svg             \
                nato.svg                \
                netherlands.svg         \
Index: data/flags/credits
===================================================================
--- data/flags/credits  (revision 11455)
+++ data/flags/credits  (working copy)
@@ -17,13 +17,7 @@
   - Cheyenne, Krev: from the Worms tileset by Arturo Espinosa-Aldama
   - Cornwall, Mars, Phoenicia, Silesia, St. Patrick: by
     Vasco Alexandre Da Silva Costa, based on various PD clip art images
-  - Dunedain: by Paul Zastoupil
-  - Elves: by Jason Short; concept by Paul Zastoupil
-  - Hobbits: Old flag by Jason Short; clip art by Nicu Buculei; concept by
-    Dave Martucci. New flag by Daniel Markstedt using PD clip art and based
-    on the concept of the pre-SVG flag.
   - Illyria: by William Allen Simpson
-  - Mordor: by Jason Short; concept by Paul Zastoupil
   - Roman: by Daniel Markstedt using PD clipart and based on the original by
     Vasco Alexandre Da Silva Costa
   - Sapmi: by Dean Tersigni
Index: po/POTFILES.in
===================================================================
--- po/POTFILES.in      (revision 11455)
+++ po/POTFILES.in      (working copy)
@@ -224,10 +224,8 @@
 data/nation/cuban.ruleset
 data/nation/czech.ruleset
 data/nation/danish.ruleset
-data/nation/dunedain.ruleset
 data/nation/dutch.ruleset
 data/nation/egyptian.ruleset
-data/nation/elvish.ruleset
 data/nation/english.ruleset
 data/nation/estonian.ruleset
 data/nation/ethiopian.ruleset
@@ -241,7 +239,6 @@
 data/nation/greek.ruleset
 data/nation/hellenic.ruleset
 data/nation/hittite.ruleset
-data/nation/hobbits.ruleset
 data/nation/hungarian.ruleset
 data/nation/icelandic.ruleset
 data/nation/illyrian.ruleset
@@ -271,7 +268,6 @@
 data/nation/mayan.ruleset
 data/nation/mexican.ruleset
 data/nation/mongol.ruleset
-data/nation/mordor.ruleset
 data/nation/newzealand.ruleset
 data/nation/nigerian.ruleset
 data/nation/norwegian.ruleset