"DFour Games" violated GPL/CC-BY-SA in "Dark Gates" release
Posted: 11 Jan 2012, 16:18
DarkGates_alpha_0.1 ( http://darkgates.dfourgames.com/download.html ) contains graphics from http://grumbel.blogspot.com/2009/01/som ... thell.html in DarkGates_alpha_0.1/data/default/avatars/
According to http://forums.vega-strike.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11103 :
DarkGates_alpha_0.1/data/default/LICENSE.txt:
DarkGates_alpha_0.1/data/default/avatars/README.txt:
The LICENSE.txt claims that Debski owns the rigths to grumbel's art. It also prohibits redistribution. The README.txt clarifies the author and gives attribution, but does not say that he own copyright and does not inform of the assets' license.
I think the developer didn't violate the terms intentionally and incorrectly assumed "If it's on the web and there are no restrictions written next to it, I can do what I want with it".
I might be completely wrong. They might have gotten exclusive rights to use the portraits.
- I Am Not A Lawyer
I will update the post when I get a reply (if I find a way to contact them).
According to http://forums.vega-strike.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11103 :
My work is covered under CC-by-sa-3.0 or GPL.
DarkGates_alpha_0.1/data/default/LICENSE.txt:
Dark Gates Alpha release 0.1
Copyright © Bartosz Debski
All rights Reserved.
By downloading and/or using this software you are accepting below conditions:
* You can use Dark Gates Alpha release 0.1 free of charge.
* You are not allowed to use or distribute any of the art resources included with this game either commercially or not .
* There is no guarantee that this software works properly and author is not responsible for any damage or loss caused by running it.
* Any suggestions made in regards to this software are assumed to be offered for free unless otherwise agreed before the suggestion was made.
* If there's anything legal you're wondering about that isn't answered here, don't do it and ask about it.
Bartosz Debski reserve the right to change this agreement at any time with or without notice, with immediate and/or retroactive effect.
DarkGates_alpha_0.1/data/default/avatars/README.txt:
Images in this directory are created by Ingo Ruhnke
originally created for project : Adonthell
http://grumbel.blogspot.com/
The LICENSE.txt claims that Debski owns the rigths to grumbel's art. It also prohibits redistribution. The README.txt clarifies the author and gives attribution, but does not say that he own copyright and does not inform of the assets' license.
I think the developer didn't violate the terms intentionally and incorrectly assumed "If it's on the web and there are no restrictions written next to it, I can do what I want with it".
I might be completely wrong. They might have gotten exclusive rights to use the portraits.
- I Am Not A Lawyer
I will update the post when I get a reply (if I find a way to contact them).