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CommieM
Clan Nova Cat
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Joined: 13-Jul-2002 00:00
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Location: United States
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 Posted: 13-Jul-2002 19:59 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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Greetings,
I believe the subject says it all. Any thoughts on Megamek?
CommieM Kotare
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Cadet
ComStar
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Joined: 17-Mar-2002 00:00
Posts: 495
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 20:04 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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Yeah, I have a thought...what is MegaMek?
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chihawk
Clan Blood Spirit
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 20:12 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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It's a few guys getting together and creating an online version of the boardgame that violates MicroSoft's copyright for 'all things electronic' for Battletech.
I think the url is www.megamek.com
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Raven!
Clan Snow Raven
Galaxy Commander
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 20:41 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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Actually it doesn't break any copyrights cause they don't try to make a profit off of it. You can only sue if they try to pull profit.
And if we're going to be speaking of breaking laws lets not forget that Microsofts track record ain't to clean either. LONG LIVE OPEN SOURCE!
Raven!
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chihawk
Clan Blood Spirit
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 20:49 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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You need not try and make a profit off something to violate someone's copyright.
Whether we like it or not, MicroSoft owns the rights to all computer versions of Battletech. So unless they have permission from MicroSoft to do what they do they violating MicroSofts license.
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Sarkkahn
Draconis Combine
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Joined: 12-Jul-2002 00:00
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 22:35 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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I'd ave to agree with chihawk on that one. What you are saying is that I could make a game totaly centered around the BT universe, then pass it out for free and not violate any copyright laws? No that isn't how it works its still a infringemnt
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Raven!
Clan Snow Raven
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Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 22:54 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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Wrong both of you.
In order to press any claim in court you need to prove the Harm that the actions of the individual caused, so that you wish to bring them in to account for their actions.
In most cases this is clear cut: subject A shoots subject B with a 9mm. Harm is pretty easily explained.
However, in the case of MegaMek, Microsoft would have to prove a substantial loss of profit on their electronic BattleTech games, and prove at the same time that the reason for this was an upswing in Megamek useage. This would be very hard.
The second problem is that it is not a direct copy of the electronic games, which tend towards first person and 3D tactical. Rather it is a direct copy of the board game, into the computer. Again some could argue that this would hurt sales of the BoardGame, but as that is no longer being produced, then that arguement is mute too.
Raven
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Sarkkahn
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 23:01 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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lol, or they could argue tht megamek scked so bad that it turned everyone off battletech all together. Of course they don't need megamek to turn people off battletech MW:DA will do that all by itself 
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Cadet
ComStar
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Joined: 17-Mar-2002 00:00
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 23:13 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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What if that site is hosted (and by extension MegaMek is produced)in a country that simply does not care about US Copyright laws?
China, multiple African states come to mind.
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Sarkkahn
Draconis Combine
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2002 23:15 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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Well Bill gates has enough money to buy the country so then he will have nothin to worry about.
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CommieM
Clan Nova Cat
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2002 00:16 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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Well, considering that its a dam good board game translation (only a couple weapon systems and some optional rules are missing), and the fact that it is open source, I say that its a good way to play some games against each other, especially since distance between players tends to play a role.
Besides, its also a good way to test your new mech variants since you can use HMP to create a mech then use the converter to test the mech. 
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Sarkkahn
Draconis Combine
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2002 00:22 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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I haven't seen much of it myself but the way it sounds it would probally be a good thing to try to get here at mordels
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CommieM
Clan Nova Cat
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2002 00:34 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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I currently have the latest build (0.26.5). Anytime you want to give it a try, let me know and I will set up a server for any who want to try it.
CommieM Kotare
Clan Smoke Jaguar
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Sarkkahn
Draconis Combine
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2002 00:38 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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that would be awesome I'd like to give it a try.
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chihawk
Clan Blood Spirit
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2002 08:34 Post subject: MegaMek... |
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On 2002-07-13 22:54, Raven! wrote:
Wrong both of you.
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Trust me, I'm right.
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In order to press any claim in court you need to prove the Harm that the actions of the individual caused, so that you wish to bring them in to account for their actions.
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BZZZZZ!!!!! Sorry, that's wrong. You only have to prove you own the rights to whay the other person is doing--you need not prove that them doing it harms you in any manner.
There is a fan website for the Houston Astros called Astrosdaily (http://www.astrosdaily.com) that Major League Properties (one of the companies that enforces MLB licences) sent a letter to the webmaster and site host informing them their site violated several of MLB's copyrights and trademarks. Now Astrosdaily was able to negotiate with MLP to continue with the site, but if MLP had wanted to be pricks about it that site would have had to be removed.
And while in this particular case it could have easily been argued that Astrosdaily helped MLB and not harmed it would have lost in court as they used graphics and trademarks that were copyright MLB.
(For the record the Houston Astros had no issue with Astrosdaily and have now given them permission to use many of the graphics that MLP had issue with to prevent any further troubles.)
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In most cases this is clear cut: subject A shoots subject B with a 9mm. Harm is pretty easily explained.
However, in the case of MegaMek, Microsoft would have to prove a substantial loss of profit on their electronic BattleTech games, and prove at the same time that the reason for this was an upswing in Megamek useage. This would be very hard.
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Like I say above, you needn't prove harm--only that you own (or have exclusive rights to) a particular thing. MS has exclusive rights to 'all things electronic' for Battletech and MegaMek violates that.
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The second problem is that it is not a direct copy of the electronic games, which tend towards first person and 3D tactical. Rather it is a direct copy of the board game, into the computer. Again some could argue that this would hurt sales of the BoardGame, but as that is no longer being produced, then that arguement is mute too.
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I believe FanPro is planning on releasing the board game again (not that it matters in the above case).
No matter how you look at it, MegaMek is a computer game for Battletech. And that falls under MS's licence.
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