Legal Questions..

[Cisyouc]

Hey all, got a couple questions. Ive just began the start of a custom server, and I love the way its coming, except I'm not sure at all about the legal issues with EQEMu.

I need to distribute a new eqstr_us.txt, bmpwad8.s3d (I don't really need to for this, but I'd like to.), spells_us.txt, i may put a eqhost.txt in the 'package' for simplicity, but I do not want to be giving out warez. So, I have a few questions.

1 -> Is making an eqstr_us.txt, bmpwad8.s3d, spells_us.txt, eqhost.txt illegal? If I implement an EQ detector-thing, will that make it any different (if it is 'illegal')

2 -> If I make a patcher for my server look like the EQL patcher, (Not identical, but using the same UI files found in ./skins/default/images/), would that be bad?

3 -> Is there any specific wording on a disclaimer I'd need to have somewhere before downloading or installing?

Thanks for your help guys.

[KhaN]

3 -> Is there any specific wording on a disclaimer I'd need to have somewhere before downloading or installing?
A disclamer will NEVER protect you, keep in mind its only an advertising, legally, it wont protect you.

2 -> If I make a patcher for my server look like the EQL patcher, (Not identical, but using the same UI files found in ./skins/default/images/), would that be bad?
You dont have the right to use ANY EverQuest contents made by SOE, it would be considered as a rip, and they could take actions toward you.

1 -> Is making an eqstr_us.txt, bmpwad8.s3d, spells_us.txt, eqhost.txt illegal? If I implement an EQ detector-thing, will that make it any different (if it is 'illegal')
If those files are from scratch, you are in your right, but if your bmpwas8.s3d contain, for example EQLive content that you wont have replace, its totally illegal.

I need to distribute a new eqstr_us.txt, bmpwad8.s3d (I don't really need to for this, but I'd like to.), spells_us.txt, i may put a eqhost.txt in the 'package' for simplicity, but I do not want to be giving out warez.
Generally, giving files is considered warez, but laws are laws, and you can always bypass them when you have a good knowledge of them, so i will try to explain some points here, maybe it would help peoples that wish to give EQ Files with a patcher.

First, there are some countries where the user is NEVER responsable, but the host, in legal term, is responsable of the files it is hosting, the easiest solution (But not the best in a term of moral), would be to find one of those host, and have your EQ Files on it, you will never be responsable and SOE could never take actions toward you.
Second, in some countries, giving files isnt considered as warez, in some countries, its considered as giving an old version of files software. You are in your right to give another version of EQ files, as long as you dont modify them, or dont distribute the whole software that will allow a person to run it without having to buy it. This can apply to an EQEmu server patcher. Keep in mind you have to be native of this country, instead solution one, you cant do it if you live out of this country, this because of internnational laws.
Dont take time to PM me, or post here, i wont give you the list of those coutries for a lots of reasons, but i can say you this dont apply to USA.

Be carefull, always keep in mind SOE is a powerfull company, even if you are in your right, they will alway have the force to take actions toward you, but now, the question is more, will they do it ? As long as you dont make a commercial game and never modify ANY EQ contents, you should be safe.

I already see peoples posting here its considered as warez, guys, dont bother to argue what i said if you dont have any law knowledge (other than your country), thanks~.

[bbum]

i think stuff like this should be talked about on irc and posts like these taken out, dont you guys?

[Xabob]

Well as ur right with all that frog boy lol Far as i can tell SoE dosen't give a rats ass about indavidual servers having a patcher idk why but i think the only time they will EVER do anything to us is IF and this is a really HUGE IF the login source is relased other then that i don't think SoE cares

[cofruben]

sony takes ideas from eqemu servers,if they wanted to destroy eqemu,sure they could have done that.Think that they hard core the eqhost,we'd need to stay in an older version,and we could not advance.So think that sony don't care so much about legallity of eqemu right now.

[Cisyouc]

Quote:
3 -> Is there any specific wording on a disclaimer I'd need to have somewhere before downloading or installing?

A disclamer will NEVER protect you, keep in mind its only an advertising, legally, it wont protect you. Figures.

Quote:
2 -> If I make a patcher for my server look like the EQL patcher, (Not identical, but using the same UI files found in ./skins/default/images/), would that be bad?

You dont have the right to use ANY EverQuest contents made by SOE, it would be considered as a rip, and they could take actions toward you. Eeek. Glad I asked.

Quote:
1 -> Is making an eqstr_us.txt, bmpwad8.s3d, spells_us.txt, eqhost.txt illegal? If I implement an EQ detector-thing, will that make it any different (if it is 'illegal')

If those files are from scratch, you are in your right, but if your bmpwas8.s3d contain, for example EQLive content that you wont have replace, its totally illegal. EQInside only shows eqpload.bmp inside the file, and that will be replaced.

Quote:
I need to distribute a new eqstr_us.txt, bmpwad8.s3d (I don't really need to for this, but I'd like to.), spells_us.txt, i may put a eqhost.txt in the 'package' for simplicity, but I do not want to be giving out warez.

Generally, giving files is considered warez, but laws are laws, and you can always bypass them when you have a good knowledge of them, so i will try to explain some points here, maybe it would help peoples that wish to give EQ Files with a patcher.

First, there are some countries where the user is NEVER responsable, but the host, in legal term, is responsable of the files it is hosting, the easiest solution (But not the best in a term of moral), would be to find one of those host, and have your EQ Files on it, you will never be responsable and SOE could never take actions toward you.
Second, in some countries, giving files isnt considered as warez, in some countries, its considered as giving an old version of files software. You are in your right to give another version of EQ files, as long as you dont modify them, or dont distribute the whole software that will allow a person to run it without having to buy it. This can apply to an EQEmu server patcher. Keep in mind you have to be native of this country, instead solution one, you cant do it if you live out of this country, this because of internnational laws.
Dont take time to PM me, or post here, i wont give you the list of those coutries for a lots of reasons, but i can say you this dont apply to USA.

Be carefull, always keep in mind SOE is a powerfull company, even if you are in your right, they will alway have the force to take actions toward you, but now, the question is more, will they do it ? As long as you dont make a commercial game and never modify ANY EQ contents, you should be safe.

I already see peoples posting here its considered as warez, guys, dont bother to argue what i said if you dont have any law knowledge (other than your country), thanks~.Im a US Citizen.

never modify ANY EQ contentsErr...wait..so I can't distribute spells_us.txt or eqstr_us.txt unless its completely from scratch? Eek.
I know Sony probably won't take legal action, but, I'd rather be safe >.>

[Charmy]

i agree withi corfuben, if they wanted to shut eqemu down, they would have done so long ago. I am sure that of the 15k accts registerd, more than 100 are SoE employees, in fact i bet somewhere on EQLIVE you will find a slightly altered quest/mob/item that was once on an emu. but what can you do? <shrug> I think as long as you are Charging to play on your server and as khan said, you aren't releasing files that allow them to play eq without paying for the full program.

[RangerDown]

<shrug> I think as long as you are Charging to play on your server and as khan said, you aren't releasing files that allow them to play eq without paying for the full program.

I think you meant you are not charging to play on your server.

[Melwin]

Any patcher that distributes files that cannot be recreated by hand very easily (such as practically any txt file, such as eqhost.txt) is illegal.

You Internet lawyers can go home now.

[Charmy]

I think you meant you are not charging to play on your server.


Hehe your right oops.

[Cisyouc]

(such as practically any txt file, such as eqhost.txt) so spells_us.txt and eqstr_us.txt are fine?

[Melwin]

(such as practically any txt file, such as eqhost.txt) so spells_us.txt and eqstr_us.txt are fine?

Yes.