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LTKTBM (License to Kill The Borg Matrix)
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URL:
http://www.cam-direct.co.uk/ltk/ltktbm.shtml
Description:
LTKTBM is an updated action Quake 2 with enhanced engines features, it breaks licensing by using the
Quake 2 engine and remaining closed source thus breaking the GPL agreement. This can be fixed by simply
allowing the engine source to become available for the public to download when new versions are released.
The author mSparks has been contacted requesting the source-code, a follow up with his response will be
posted when an email has been sent back, currently 4 days have passed.
Status:
Email pending on source release. It still breaks the GPL by not mentioning that the source is available
upon request, as required also not sure if he'll give it out at all.
Update:
No email for around 2 weeks. Probably ignored.
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Space Trader
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URL:
http://www.playspacetrader.com/
Description:
Space Trader doesn't exactly break the GPL itself as it's source code is available by email.
The more serious problem with Space Trader is in it's HWP file (a renamed Quake 3 .pk file) as it breaks
the Quake 3 copyright by including Quake 3 Arena Pak0 material inside.
http://forums.playspacetrader.com/viewt ... source#p82
According to this link the source code will eventually be released however is available by email which has
been confirmed.
Status:
Breaks copyright laws as of current, source code is obtainable by email however still breaks the GPL due to the source itself being outdated from the released binary.
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Urban Terror
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URL:
http://www.urbanterror.net/
Descripton:
Urban Terror is a stand-alone mod based on the old Quake3 Source Development Kit (QVMs) before the engine
source was made GPL and released, Urban Terror is now stand-alone and packaged with ioquake3, which breaches
a clause in the Quake 3 SDK license. They're running non-free QVM code in a free GPL'd engine.
"ID grants to you the non-exclusive and limited right to distribute copies of the Software free of charge
for non-commercial purposes by electronic means only and the non-exclusive and limited right to use the
Software to create your own modifications (the New Creations) for operation only with the full version
of the software game QUAKE III ARENA;""
As sourced here,
http://renegadec.digitalfunk.org/misc/q3toolseula.html
Another issue is the QVM's source itself being closed,
Source: ( http://www.urbanterror.net/e107_plugins ... ?content.5 )
If the QVM itself has anything from the Q3 source, it falls under the Q3 tools license, which prevents them
from using it from anything other than a Q3 mod that requires Q3. The way this be fixed is by rewriting all
Q3A-derived parts from scratch, porting it over to the GPL SDK source and releasing the gamecode, or seeking
ID Software's permission.
As straight from one of the developers,
Taken from http://www.urbanterror.net/page.php?3
I wasn't able to email Oswald as his email isn't listed.
Update:
Urban Terror appears OK by id themselves, discussed this with others.
As quoted by an anonymous,
2008-02-27 20:24:44 <TTimo> well we have legal leverage through the EULA if we want to
2008-02-27 20:24:58 <TTimo> but no one wants to use it, we like those guys
Status:
Given OK by id software themselves.
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Unoffical Quake-Engine
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URL:
http://www.quake-engine.com/
Description:
Unoffical Quake-Engine is a closed source Hexen 2 engine, Hexen 2's engine code is GPL as sourced in,
http://doom.wikia.com/wiki/Raven_source_code_licensing
http://www.doomworld.com/eternity/letter.html
http://liberatedgames.com/game.php?game_id=38
Thus breaking the GPL license, there also seems to be no evidence of iD(?)/Raven(?) granting them permission.
This can be fixed by allowing the source code to their engine released to the public, I've emailed
the author asking for the engine source which I had no problem receiving. The author also appear to be moving
through more iD software related engines such as the Quake series itself eventually.
UPDATE:
Source code has been released by e-mail, author appears to have agreed to abide by GPL terms (hopefully soon) and was cooperative and pleasant to talk to.
Status:
Source code released by email, however still breaks the license by the archive not containing the GPL license file packaged within, author has been notified.
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A Note on GPL
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The GPL requires that an entire program be GPL (where libraries are considered part of it -
but data might be considered independent by the GPL), aggregate distribution is allowed (but
it's not clear if a zip containing code and data would be considered aggregate if there is an
appropriate license file noting the distinction), this does not cause any serious problems for
standalone games, however the initial Quake2 and Quake3 SDK licenses (before GPL re-releases)
required that users have the full version of the game, which directly forbids standalone distribution,
so any game must be ported over to the relevant GPL SDK and then must supply source, period.
Read more about the GPL here,
http://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php
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Final Note:
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The reason I've decided to document this is because GPL engine abuse will cause future companies
to become reluctant on releasing their source code to newer games which would be a huge blow to
communities as well as general educational value. This is not intended to get anyone in trouble,
however if iD software or any other licensing company sees this and takes action we're not to blame;
you are. Engine authors included here are welcome to discuss and clear up and misunderstanding that
may be presented here.
THIS IS NOT TO GET ANYONE IN TROUBLE, IT'S PRESENTED AS IS; WHICH IS A DOCUMENT. NOTHING MORE.
