Diablo 2 Server a no go, see inside for details

[Hardy]

I seen the recent post about how I could get sued, Trumpcard said its not to big of a possibility. I called Blizzard, I don't want to do something that I could get sued over. I sat on hold for about 20min. I just now got off the phone with him. I told him everything about the server, eqemu, etc... Even gave him the address to my post about the server. He said that there would be about a 75% chance I could get sued. To big of a chance :cry: Am I pissed? Yes, majorly. Some very deep and hard thoughts went into this server, getting very in depth, even with minor stuff in D2 and adding more quests to get the storyline a little better.

Now, I could do the server, as long as I don't do the same story line, creatures names have to be changed, server name can't have "Diablo 2" in the name, items have to have differant names, etc... Its pretty pathetic if you ask me.

I would love to start on a server with a differant storyline than EQ, but I am, in no way, good at thinking up ideas like that. Unless I magically get that ablity, I won't be creating a server.

*edit* If anyone needs help on a server, I am available. Just PM me with all the ideas for your server, if I like it, I will help ya. Don't just tell me you need help and the servers name, that tells me nothing about the server.

[loudent2]

Sue is such a loaded word. In reality what this person was talking about was an injunction to force you to stop. To actually sue you for money they have to show some sort of financial damages since a company can't really have "pain and suffering".

The bottom line is that as long as you don't charge for it then it's very difficult to sue for money. Especially as it's likely anyone playing your server probably already has purchased diablo.

However, companies have used strong-arm tactics in the past just by filing a lawsuit they can force you to hire a lawyer and defend yourself. even if you win you're likely to be out some money.

The key is the differences. Diablo doesn't own the story of someone possesed by a demon/devil and causing strife while being persued by a band of heroes. There are thousands of similar stories in the public domain. So, don't call it diablo, when creating critters choose a different name sor variations on the names. Do the same with items and don't charge.

[Hardy]

I know he was not forcing me to stop. He even said that this idea was very cool, because he used to play EverQuest (now probably eqemu since he knows about it). He just works for blizzard, I know that the 75% might be inaccurate, I still don't want to take the chance. He was just an employee, he could care less if I made this server. I am not rich, far from it, I am not taking ANY chance of being sued.

I could change item names, mob names, etc.... I have no imagination for that sort of stuff, I could probably think of 10 item names and be stuck. Name for server? I been trying to think of one since I got off the phone, still nothing. If someone else wants to give me over 2000 item names, throw em out plz! Same with mob names, need about 200 differant ones. I could also just use EQ items, but I would have no clue what type of stats to put on the items.

I have been thinking of just making a plain EQ server except change item stats and add item stats to items that have no stats. Actually I just thought of that while typing this, hehe.

[DeletedUser]

I can see them sueing you for using the name Diablo or Diablo 2 in the title, but they cannot copyright items names and such...

[Hardy]

I am just going by what he told me. He should know....shouldn't he?

[Trumpcard]

A movie called Diablo (which was changed to 'A Man Apart') , had to change it's name as Blizzard screamed bloody murder because they said they might want to do a movie in the future, so they believed they owned the rights to the name Diablo relative to a movie ...


I've lost alot of respect for the way Blizzard from the way they have handled SEVERAL situations, so much so that I may not support any further products from them despite the fact that I absolutely loved D1,D2 and SC.

I have to give Verant/Sony big kudos for at least tolerating this project, and not using those strong arm tactics towards us. Either it shows that they aren't paying attention, don't care, or have decided to support our goofing off by not getting involved.

Im glad you called Blizzard though, it was probably a wise thing to do. I love the idea, but as you can see from the past, Bli$$ard doesn't tolerate any competition....