What's the Policy on Game-Mods vs Copyrights?

[KG Erwin]

We need a guideline on this, because user-created mods for private use can ignore legal issues on MLB team logos & player photos. However, if mods/additions are intended for free public distribution, is this a no-no? I need some clarification on this.

As an example, I offer this : is there any statute of limitations attached to a team logo like this one?

[Amaroq]

Very briefly, the precedent I've seen set by Sports Interactive (FM, OOTP, EHM) works like this:

They have a problem with the licensing of the German national team (which sold exclusive rights to EA, I believe). The game as it ships uses fictional players on the German national team.

SI does not host a mod on their site which lets you work around the issue.

In their forums, their moderators close the thread of and/or delete the post of any post which tells you how to write the mod.

There is a user-run site which includes a work-around mod.

Their moderators do not delete posts / threads which recommend that the poster looking for this solution visit the user-run site; they will close a thread after that answer has been given - but its still readable to anybody who is interested.

It would be nice to have a Matrix official set out a guideline/policy for us on this sort of thing!

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: Amaroq
It would be nice to have a Matrix official set out a guideline/policy for us on this sort of thing!

Be careful what you ask for. If images can be imported for your own use without financial gain or other economic advantage, leave it alone. Pronouncements of policy have a bad habit of turning into consumer inconvenience.

So take your images from the Internet and use them at home as you will. It's the old "don't ask - don't tell" policy for me. When the software is re-designed to disable my freedom to fiddle around, I blame those who went asking for "official statements."

[BryanK]

Never thought I'd say this... but I agree with pasternakski. I don't see what would be served by an official statement by anyone associated with Matrix.
They cannot encourage or in any way supply materials that infringe copy right, but let's keep in mind that these aren't issues unique to Puresim. There seems to be ample supply of materials for other games of this ilk... be they baseball, soccer, or whatever. I have yet to hear of any action taken against anyone who makes user mods. The owners of the copyright are only going to get aggressive if someone tries to *SELL* the stuff or does something to draw unneccessary attention.

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: BryanK

Never thought I'd say this... but I agree with pasternakski.

*sniff* And all this time I thought you loved my coffee, Warden.

[BryanK]

[KG Erwin]

Ok, we'll leave it. I'll consider myself bitch-slapped and will only deal with truly important issues, like holding that freakin 100-rated runner at first. Gimme that pitch-out, dammit! [:D]

[Amaroq]

All I'm asking for is a policy on what we can upload to Matrix's site - which DOES have legal repercussions *for them*, more than for the individual user. I'd rather they consider it up front rather than in response to a lawsuit seeking punitive damages - though most such issues are settled with a simple 'cease and desist'.

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: Amaroq

I'd rather they consider it up front rather than in response to a lawsuit seeking punitive damages - though most such issues are settled with a simple 'cease and desist'.

Thank you for your definitive pronouncement on the matter, Your Honor, although I would revise my inartful use of the term "issues" if I were you before writing my next appellate opinion.

Why do you want to upload stuff to the Matrix site? This is all very simple. You have the format. You get pictures. You put them into the format and size needed. You insert them into your game. I have done so with about 2,000 photos so far, and need nothing more from Matrix (other than to leave the game interface alone).

One hint: Street and Smith's.

[Erik Rutins]

We can't host or support anything that includes official MLB images that could be seen as a violation. We are happy to support and host anything that does not include such content.

Regards,

- Erik