[Freeciv] Re: copyright infringement

[Reinier Post <rp@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, Jul 19, 2000 at 02:34:07AM -0700, Brandon Van Every wrote:
> How do you guys figure you're getting around Microprose / Hasbro's copyrights 
> on
> Civ II and etc?

This was my first question to the list as well (but the archives do not
go back that far.)  It comes up every now and then.

  Sure, you've got your own GUI interface and artwork, but you've
> completely ripped off the rules for the game.  Rules are copyrightable
> intellectual property in case you're not aware.

At least some of us aren't.

> Hasbro made dogmeat out of the
> Dogs Of War folks, they did an Axis & Allies clone and were stupid enough to 
> use
> the original board game artwork in addition to everything else.

Was it the artwork that won the case?

> Hasbro is
> clueless enough that they probably won't tag you anytime soon, but they'll tag
> you eventually.

Freeciv has existed since 1995.  This may be a case of 'sleeping dogs',
but I don't think Hasbro is trying to make any money out of Civ II
anymore.  Or maybe they want to avoid the bad publicity they'd get by
going after a GPL-ed piece of software put together by a changing team
of mostly college students.  There isn't anyone to sue here.  Maybe
something can be done about the copyright notice?  It mentions the
original authors, even on files created long after they left the project.

> Unless you take steps to ensure that you have your own
> intellectual property and aren't just ripping off someone else's.

Such as, change the rules?  Tweaking for the sake of law evasion?
 
> I've posted some things in the newsgroups as well, including
> misc.legal.computing, if you're confused about being in violation of copyright
> law.

Thanks.
 
-- 
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