sparhawk on 1/6/2006 at 19:32
The best way to get sued is probably plastering it with disclaimers like "No copyright infrignment is intended." or "In order to avoid copyright infringment the files are encrypted."
The only better way, that I would know of, is to send them a letter and asking for permission.
KingAl on 2/6/2006 at 07:48
Quote Posted by Rob Hicks
Oh, definitely before Christmas. I'm aiming for end of July.
Rob.
I can't help it: That's what they said about the war...
Digital Nightfall on 2/6/2006 at 15:39
This issue came up a long time ago. We've already been told that re-releasing Thief 1 OMs as Thief 2 FMs is a no-no.
Previously the issue was over releasing the Thief Gold OMs as FMs for either T1 and T2, and the answer was a very firm no, and it extended to re-releasing any T1/TG/T2 OMs as ports for any of the other games.
Sorry.
Coincidentally, I tried again after this was already established to gain permission to create a mission which involved city streets from Thief 2 connecting to city streets from Thief 1 (with a large area in between connecting them) and we were told, again, no. In the end, simply rebuilding the areas from scratch to look like (with inevitable differences and additional details) the same areas from Thief 2 and Thief 1 proved to be easier than trying to take the issue to a level high enough where someone may actually have the power to say that such a thing was OK.
Now, technically, the Thief Gold Patch for T1 (which allows T1 owners to play TG FMs, but NOT TG OMs) and other patches that update Thief 1 with T2 graphics and content were also frowned upon in various official capacities, but they've been done years ago and no-one has ever complained.
I don't want to blow the horn on this thing, but I think you should be aware that this is an old issue that has already come to its inevitable conclusion.
ZylonBane on 2/6/2006 at 15:56
Or in other words... don't ask, don't tell.
jermi on 2/6/2006 at 18:40
No matter, we'll just do it the hard way then.
What I don't understand is why you need a launcher/switcher application, since that application already exists and its name is Darkloader. Can't Darkloader do whatever changes are needed in the Thief2 directory?
Komag on 2/6/2006 at 19:05
Quote Posted by Digital Nightfall
...but they've been done years ago and no-one has ever complained.
The half dozen T2 ports of T1/G FMs done by "ANON" were done years ago as well (between 2 and 4 years ago).
I would have suggested caution and "don't take a chance on this, that, etc" about 4 or 5 years ago, but at this point it's all just old. There's no one left to care
New Horizon on 2/6/2006 at 19:28
Damn the man and his NO NO NO! Go ahead and do it. This strong community has kept thief alive all these years.
Digital Nightfall on 2/6/2006 at 19:38
But those are Fan Missions, Komag. We're talking about porting Official Missions.
I really don't think anyone will notice or care, but be aware of what you're doing.
ZylonBane on 2/6/2006 at 19:51
Quote Posted by jermi
What I don't understand is why you need a launcher/switcher application, since that application already exists and its name is Darkloader. Can't Darkloader do whatever changes are needed in the Thief2 directory?
Did you even bother reading the thread? He wants to include an app that verifies that a copy of Thief Gold is installed before decrypting the maps.
Rob Hicks on 2/6/2006 at 21:49
Ooh, controversy.
I'm not overly worried about being sued (like I said when I released DEDX, the best a lawyer could hope for is about 50 quid - tell a lie, I own a Skoda now, and I'll happily part with that). The encryption is just, as has been stated, a gesture of good will. If the gesture is pooh-poohed, then too bad, I'll release anyway and face the consequences.
Rob
