7 replies to this topic

[bob345]

Six days ago I found this EaW Files interview
http://empireatwar.f....nterview;41367

Since the answer to question two is that to make the mod tools the files were reverse engineered isn't that going against the part of the EaW license agreement because in the section of what you can't do, point seven says "reverse engineer the software, derive source code, or otherwise attempt to reconstruct or discover any underlying source code, ideas, algorithms, file formats, programming or interoperbility interfaces of the software by any means whatsoever, except to the extent expressly permitted by law despite a contractual provision to the contrary, and then only after you have notified LucasArts in writing of your intended activities."

so according to how the mod tools are made and what the license agreement says aren't mods breaking the license agreement?


Thanks,
please explain


This isn't an accusation, this is just me trying to figure something out.

I'm only 14 and I'm asking this question because this worry is consuming my life and I need to know are mods trully legal?

[Kitkun]

First, the link is bad.
Second, if it were illegal, somebody would have sued or have been sued by now.

Edited by Kitkun, 10 February 2009 - 11:07 PM.

[coinich]

I'm guessing (from my experience with other mods) that the term "reverse engineered" was thrown loosely about. When in the legal sense, they refer to decoding the main .exe and other proprietary files that you would not normally have access to. Mods are always careful to not do this, even beyond the technical difficulty of doing so. What mods usually do is look at files such as EAW's .xml files, or for another example, RCT3's .ovl files, and attempt to make originals based off of what they saw. Its like determining a recipe from tasting a vanilla cake, and then figuring out how to bake a chocolate one. You know what is required, but you aren't actually breaking any of the rules.

[Tropical Bob]

Correct link: http://empireatwar.f...Interview;41367

Perhaps Mike.NL wrote to LucasArts, and it was allowed under that "extent expressly permitted by the law." Or perhaps he did it without doing anything illegal.

In any case, that would put Mike.NL under the magnifying glass of the law, not anyone here.

[bob345]

Thanks guys

the reason I had to post this here is because after I started this thread at Filefront I was told that all mods were illegal but I only got two replies and up against the reaserch I personly did it made know sence.

Here's the link
Link

EDIT: this link works

Edited by bob345, 11 February 2009 - 01:24 AM.

[Kitkun]

Companies can shut down mods if they want to. Particularly if it involves copyrighted content.
For example, there was a great looking Halo mod for C&C Generals called Halogen. When Microsoft and Bungie decided to make Halo Wars, they contacted the mod team and had them stop development.
This doubly sucks because Microsoft, in it's infinite wisdom and complete disregard of PC Gamers, will not release a PC version of the game.

But yes, reverse engineering refers to the .exe file and such.

[SpardaSon21]

Companies can shut down mods if they want to. Particularly if it involves copyrighted content.
For example, there was a great looking Halo mod for C&C Generals called Halogen. When Microsoft and Bungie decided to make Halo Wars, they contacted the mod team and had them stop development.
This doubly sucks because Microsoft, in it's infinite wisdom and complete disregard of PC Gamers, will not release a PC version of the game.

But yes, reverse engineering refers to the .exe file and such.

There are a few RTS Halo mods under development. There's Covenant at War for Forces of Corruption (which has not been C&D'd), there's Sins of the Prophets for Sins of a Solar Empire, and there are even a pair for Homeworld 2. And yes, Covenant at War has land battles. And there is Forum Wars for FoC which is this weird amalgam of Star Wars, Halo, Battlestar Galactica, and some other stuff.

[Phoenix Rising]

Moved to a proper forum. Please note the distinction between general EaW discussion and general PR discussion.