[MUD-Dev] Custom Server Roll Call?

[Jon A. Lambert]

On 6 May 99,, Ola Fosheim Gr=F8stad wrote:
> "Jon A. Lambert" wrote:
> > On 5 May 99,, Ola Fosheim Gr=F8stad wrote:
> 
> I don't think so, although on this list I do of course refer to the 
> making of sofware!! 

I should have rephrased this better.  The above practices are peculiar to 
the process of creating software where another similar software system 
exists.  Those engineering practices are not common when created software 
systems which model other systems which are described in another medium 
(in this case the AD&D rules book).  

For instance, there exists a substantial body of software which was first 
described in academic papers.  The authors of the software most certainly 
used the academic papers as the basis of the software, yet separate and 
distinct copyrights exist.  Legally speaking, the software is NOT a 
derived work of the paper.

> Ideas are not protected. 

I agree. 

> This is just a way to prove that you
> have not built on somebody else's work.

What I am trying to say is these precautions are totally unnecessary.  
In fact someone who creates a MUD based exactly on the AD&D system can 
shout to the rooftops that they had the Dungeon Masters Guide in their 
left hand while they did it.

> > I would disagree here.  Game systems cannot be copyrighted.
> 
> _All_ the _works_ you create are copyrighted. If you make a copy or
> translate an existing system then it is a derived work. If you build on
> ideas in an existing work then it is not a derived work. 

I will say one has to use common sense and be careful of the fine line 
between what is "literary" and what is "system".
Let me present two examples of the distinction between game system and 
literary work (apologies for my formatting):

---cut---


Example one - from the AD&D DMG: 

Table 7: 
Racial Class and Level Limits*

Character Class		Character Races
	Human	Dwarf	Elf	Gnome	Half-elf	Halfling
Bard	U	=96	=96	=96	U	=96
Cleric	U	10	12	9	14	8
Druid	U	=96	=96	=96	9	=96
blah... blah..

 Example from Mud:  

switch (race)
	case: HUMAN
		if class=3DBARD upper_lvl_limit =3D 'U';
		if class=3DCLERIC upper_lvl_limit =3D 'U';
		if class=3DDRUID upper_lvl_limit =3D 'U';
	case: DWARF
..... blah

---cut---

This above though it models the AD&D game system and table exactly is NOT 
a copyright violation.  No matter how you implemented the algorithm.  The 

use of game system terminology such as cleric, bard, druid, class, race, 
level is also NOT a copyright violation.  Why?  Because the individual 
terms that express a system concept are not copyrightable.  Otherwise I 
wouldn't be able to use the terms paging and socket in describing any 
system.

Example two from a mud help file:

---cut---
  > help sun blade

	Sun Blade: This sword is the size of a bastard sword. However, its 
enchantment enables the sun blade to be wielded as if it were a short 
sword with respect to encumbrance, weight, speed factor, and ease of use 
(i.e., the weapon appears to all viewers to be a bastard sword, and 
inflicts bastard sword damage, but the wielder feels and reacts as if the 
weapon were a short sword). Any individual able to use either a bastard 
sword or a short sword with proficiency is proficient in the use of a sun 
blade. 	In normal combat, the glowing golden blade of the weapon is equal 
to a +2 sword. Against evil creatures, its bonus is +4. Against Negative 
Energy Plane creatures or those drawing power from that plane (such as 
certain undead), the sword inflicts double damage. 	Furthermore, the 
blade has a special sunray power. Once a day, upon command, the blade can 
be swung vigorously above the head, and it will shed a bright yellow 
radiance that is like full daylight. The radiance begins shining in a 10-
foot radius around the sword-wielder, spreading outward at 5 feet per 
round for 10 rounds thereafter, creating a globe of light with a 60-foot 
radius. When the swinging stops, the radiance fades to a dim glow that 
persists for another turn before disappearing entirely. All sun blades 
are of good alignment.  

---cut---

Zoinks.  A blatant copyright violation.  The MUD owner should be sued, 
convicted and hanged.   Also the appearance of the above Race/Class level 
limit table literally in a help file or message would be a Copyright 
violation.  However one might venture on their own to provide the 
following:

  > help dwarf-cleric
     Dwarven clerics are somewhat limited in their progression because    
     the Great God GooGoo despises the little buggers.

> I've recently become aware of some exceptions though. For instance, you 
> may produce copies freely if you do it as research in the US (fair 
> use/progress of science). In other words researchers does not have to 
> heed copyrights, if it prevents them from making a scientific progress.

My use of the above examples directly transcribed from the AD&D DMG is
yet another example of "fair use".  

> > OTOH, The practical bottom line is this:  If you receive a letter 
> > from a
> > big corporate lawyer, immediately comply with whatever the hell they
> > want, or be prepared to play the game of legal bluff and blunder, and
> > accept the consequences, unjust though they may be.
> 
> Nope, in the international community you don't :)

Huh?  I don't understand.  You can't be sued and overwhelmed in court by 
someone with a bigger bankroll?  Or Non-US ISPs don't get jittery and 
wobbly feet when threatened?  I missed something here. ;) 
 
> I agree that it is off topic, but I think it is important that 
> listmembers understand that ideas are NOT protected.

I agree wholeheartedly.  Remember a game system is also an idea.  The 
expression of the system as a rules book protects the rules book, and 
does not protect another expression of that system in another medium.
The expression of a written rule as an software algorithm is perfectly 
fine.  You WILL get into trouble if you express that written rule 
literally, or significantly within the software.


--
--*     Jon A. Lambert - TychoMUD       Email:jlsysinc at .ix.netcom.com     =
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