43 replies to this topic

[Phil]

We seem to be in quite a mess here. Apparently some nutjob at EA decided modding BFME isn't okay anymore and they want us to remove all mods and basically shut down the site or they will start legal action.
I assure you that we'll try to make some kind of deal with them so that we can keep T3A online in one way or another. I've written to some of the other BFME modding sites to ask if they got the same message but haven't heard back from them yet. I'm pretty sure though that if EA is going serious about this, they'll share our fate.

I just wanted to let you know this in advance so you can prepare for the (possibly) tough road ahead.


This is the original PM I got from Hostile:

Phil, I got this email from EA yesterday: They threaten to take down T3A if we don't remove all the mods and other EA stuff!

I'm gonna try to talk to Aaron about this, maybe we can make a deal with them.
But if EA really wants to shut T3A down, than I'm not risking a lawsuit. I hope you can understand that.

Date: Yesterday 15:29:10
From: legal@ea.com
To: [removed]
Subject: Cease and Desist


Electronic Arts Trademark and Copyright

Cease and Desist


Dear Mr. Edwards:


It has been brought to the attention of Electronic Arts Inc. ("EA") that
the website http://www.the3rdage.net with the IP address of 74.86.133.128 is hosting various game modifications ("MODs")
and other derivative works of The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth©, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II©
and The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king© (the "Works").

In a recent change of policies, EA has decided not to tolerate this use of its Works any longer.
As you do not have EA's permission to use the Works as the basis for your MODs and other derivative works, you are infringing
EA's rights under 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. and could be liable for statutory damages as high as $150,000
as set forth in § 504©(2) therein.

As you are listed as the registrant for this website, EA demands that you immediately cease the use and distribution
of all MODs and other infringing materials derived from the Works, that you remove all occurrences of its copyrighted material on your website
and that you desist from this or any other infringement of its rights in the future.

If you do not notify us in writing that you have done so, we will have no choice but to pursue legal action against you.
We require the copyrighted material to be removed and written notice given that such has been removed, by no later than April 5th 2010.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions concerning
this matter, please contact us via e-mail at: legal@ea.com.


Regards,

EA Law - IP Enforcement
Electronic Arts Inc.
legal@ea.com

[CTLN7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools'_Day ?

[Bereneth Túrien]

Ha, you actually had me for a minute or so...

[Crusard]

You.... bastards

[Florisz]

Ha ha...

Would be funny if it was true.

[{IRS}Athos]

Called it.

[NewErr]

Ohh .. nooo .. my elves !!!!

[Baki]

Ha, you actually had me for a minute or so...

And me for about... 2 seconds.
Guys you have to do that less obviously.

[Kwen]

And if you guys are wrong, and this isn't a joke. Then you'll be risking a lot by ensuring a much more harsh impact on us as a community by "not cooperating".

Don't assume that just because coincidently this happened on April 1, that it is a joke.

[Ridder Geel]

We will see... I will do nothing till i know...
If its true, then... ok respect EA's wishes, if its not, continue...

[NewErr]

Role playing , got used to it

[man_of_gondor]

You got me for a moment.

[drogoth232]

Hmm not taking any sides. Not yet anyways but still that would make no sense, why would EA take t3a down and not take CnC as well? Hmm I am guessing that it is april fools but meh lets wait.

[Ouranos]

I think it is an April fools .An official legal attack by EA would have gone to Revora as not to the admin and I seriously doubt that an official EA e-mail would contain words like "Mods" or the in brackets "works".

[Bereneth Túrien]

An official legal attack by EA would have gone to Revora as not to the admin and I seriously doubt that an official EA e-mail would contain words like "Mods" or the in brackets "works".

Actually those are quite common in legal letters. They type things like "Works" so they don't have to type out each game every time.

And if you guys are wrong, and this isn't a joke. Then you'll be risking a lot by ensuring a much more harsh impact on us as a community by "not cooperating".

Don't assume that just because coincidently this happened on April 1, that it is a joke.

True, and if this turns out to not be a joke, I will cooperate. But if it's not a joke, and they did actually send this email, then Hostile's reply to EA will probably take some time to be answered, and by then April 1st will be over so we'll know if it's a joke or not.

[yams in a can]

I didn't fall for it for one second. I just got fooled already, not happening again .

[Gen.Kenobi]

We, from the Revora Staff are really sad about that.

EA said that they will take BFME Modding down because it's not their treadmark. BFME is based in J.R.R. Tolkien's sage: Lord of the Rings. EA has the rights over C&C and it's because they are not taking the modding down for Command and Conquer.

For some reason you cannot change the Game's content anymore. Live with it. You can always mod C&C and C&C Generals (same engine as BFME1).

[NewErr]

*tear* my poor elves ...

[CTLN7]

im sure 100% thats a joke

[Clement]

Completly forgot about the april fool, so did DLotS I guess... if not we would have waited for tomorrow to bring to you the sad news.

We have so many more things to do for Revora than thinking about the 1st April, and with that bad news coming from EA, we have others things to take care of.

Bad timing.