Quake Engine GPL Abuse

by mh » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:37 pm

strikes!

Seriously, on the shareware Quake IP use, you really should check out the current license. Carmack has always stated it as being his intention to allow more open distribution (e.g. included in Linux distros) since the source was GPL'ed, so I'd recommend finding out a few facts (no, I don't know either, but finding out first seem the path of wisdom here). There's also a .plan post (from Todd, I think) where the use of Quake media assets was basically allowed (so long as you don't take the piss with it). Under the GPL this is permissible as they're demonstrably not "part of the program".

The same should apply to the retex material, under the same conditions, unless you're looking to be an absolute GPL purist (and thereby applying a license that is neither suitable for nor recommended for (by the FSF) media assets to media assets).

by **RenegadeC** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:57 am

by **GiffE** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:43 pm

by mh » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:33 pm

Is it REALLY GPL violation, though? There is nothing in the GPL that stipulates that the source must be made available for download from the same page or even site as the binary. In fact, you are perfectly entitled to not even put an offer for source on the site, as all that the GPL requires is that the binary be accompanied by the offer. So inclusion of the offer in the readme would be acceptable. Mere inclusion of the GPL text in the same package as the binary would probably even suffice. So source download link, no source included in the package, but still OK by the terms of the GPL.

Sometimes people can be too quick to shout "GPL violation!" without even having studied the text of the GPL...

by **zxcvb** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:32 am

by **RenegadeC** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:41 am

by **Sajt** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:58 am

by **scar3crow** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:58 pm

This thread is about GPL abuse regarding the Quake engine. If you do not have information pertaining to a specific offense, with evidence and firm citation, please refrain from posting in this thread as it devalues its informative quality.

This thread is not to be the hosting ground for any antagonism regarding an individual, even if they are proven to be a GPL violator.

Our concern here is the distribution of content in violation with the GPL, if you do not have relevant objective information on that, please do not bother.

I'd rather not have to use my moderating stick.

by **zxcvb** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:32 pm

by **scar3crow** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:43 pm

by **RenegadeC** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:02 pm

by **zxcvb** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:17 pm

by **Dr. Shadowborg** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:05 pm

Quake Engine GPL Abuse

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