Guys, please find some way to dissuade me from this!

After much consideration, I've come to the conclusion that the right thing to do is ask Paramount for permission to make the Star Trek plug-in which Axis S.I. is producing. If Axis Software ever does want to go public, or for that matter, famous... I'm going to have to ask for their permission to use their enviroment for the game.

I'd really hate to do this, and I'm hoping I won't have to. But if you guys can come up with legitimate reasons for why I don't have to, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Zeta

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Axis Software-

I've heard that Paramount is very nasty about granting use of ST elements; unless you pay up, you're unlikely to get an agreement. This sort of thing is on a need-to-know basis anyway.

Besides, you aren't using ST elements in a commercial or for-profit enterprise now, are you? As long as it's free...

Another possibility - alter the universe enough so that it isn't legally ST anymore; it would sorta ruin the athmosphere of the plugin, though. But then you'd have more room for creativity.

Just my two strips of latinum.

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"Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will have me as a member."
- Groucho Marx

(This message has been edited by ColdFusion (edited 05-02-2000).)

You may have trouble. Tom Spreen was forced by Paramount to yank his shareware game "Rescue!" although you can still find it if you look (url="http://"http://www.traud.de/rescue/index.html")http://www.traud.de/rescue/index.html(/url)

Jason

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-Jason

(url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ev_scourge/")www.geocities.com/ev_scourge/(/url)

Quote

Originally posted by IonStorm:

**You may have trouble. Tom Spreen was forced by Paramount to yank his shareware game "Rescue!" although you can still find it if you lookhttp://www.traud.de/rescue/index.html

Jason

**

That's because he charged money. If it's a free product, nobody will care.

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"You can make something idiot proof, but someone else can make a better idiot"

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i think thats the deal-as long as its free, its fine. but then, w/ my own plugin not far off from release, i was wondering-what if it really rulz and some magazine like macaddict wants to put it on The Disc. since that is commercial would it be illegal? note that i am anything but an expert on this.

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"You have to understand what you don't understand"
-Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park

In that case, I'll be writing Paramount a formal letter with the request to use their enviroment for use in a free game. I just hope they don't sting me (or kwanza, for that matter).
(I hope this is right, I hope this is right, I hope this is right....)

Sincerely,
Zeta

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Axis Software-

Quote

Originally posted by Zeta:
**In that case, I'll be writing Paramount a formal letter with the request to use their enviroment for use in a free game. I just hope they don't sting me (or kwanza, for that matter).
(I hope this is right, I hope this is right, I hope this is right....)
**

Ditto...I might have to do that also. Curious Zeta...how's the plug coming along?

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~Kwanza~

"Quoted the Kwanza Man...nevermore"

Once these finals are over, I think you'll be hearing a whole lot more status reports. But, until then... we're all pretty much sitting. The graphics are mostly done. However, the person responsible for converting the meshes into 2D sprites hasn't managed to free himself up for the work.

I really would like to tell you how good it's coming along, but I can't. :rolleyes:
Anyway. I just wanted to note how good you're graphics are. I checked out your preview site. I do, however, think that the Enterprise D needs a bit of work with regard to the hull plating. I would suggest that you use a texture with smaller tiles. The way it is now, it almost looks like a dartboard. No offense.

Sincerely,
Zeta

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Axis Software-

Quote

Originally posted by Zeta:
**Once these finals are over, I think you'll be hearing a whole lot more status reports. But, until then... we're all pretty much sitting. The graphics are mostly done. However, the person responsible for converting the meshes into 2D sprites hasn't managed to free himself up for the work.

I really would like to tell you how good it's coming along, but I can't. :rolleyes:
Anyway. I just wanted to note how good you're graphics are. I checked out your preview site. I do, however, think that the Enterprise D needs a bit of work with regard to the hull plating. I would suggest that you use a texture with smaller tiles. The way it is now, it almost looks like a dartboard. No offense.

**

You're definately not the first to say that. Heh, I totally changed the graphic, much different now. Actuall, all Federation ships sport this new look, with different variations. I would show some, but only to you...<=) e-mail me if you want to see them.

Quote

Originally posted by sa:
That's me....sa or whatever. I had a typo...oops.

Or errr...me, Kwanza

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~Kwanza~

"Quoted the Kwanza Man...nevermore"

Hi,

I'm not good with copyright laws, but maybe this story (preceded by a few comments) could help.

First, the assumption that if you don't make money off of it, it's legal, is false (I'm afraid). There is such a thing as fair use of copyrighted material (see the annotated EV bible for a taste), like quoting and stuff, but it's limited.

Basically, everything ST is copyrighted. It's not Data, it's Data™. It's not Jean-Luc Picard, it's Jean-Luc Picard™. You get the idea. Ditto every Enterprise, ship, and most junk they made toys or memorabilia out of.

Now, the little story. I worked as an office clerc for a big business a few years back (I won't name 'em, but I can tell you it was AT&T; kinda big...), and one factory in Montreal (where I worked) wanted to do an open house. They had decided on a variety of gifts for adults and kids. One gift was a coloring book. Someone had simply re-drawn characters of Disney, plus Bugs Bunny and Yuppie, the Mtl Expos (MLB) mascot. We later checked for copyright laws with the Expos and they said we couldn't use the big fuzy orange ball they call a mascot. So we took it out. We later asked a graphics expert (he did our posters and stuff) what he thought. He said: "Even if you're not making money with it, drop the coloring book idea." We asked him if Disney and Warner would sue. He told us, "If they ever hear about it, expect fees starting at 100 grans." For starters.

I wish you all the best of luck, sir, with your ST plug-in. I'd do it myself if I had the graphic skills... Go ahead, ask Paramount about it. That would be your safest bet. Even if you're not making money off of that plug, Axis could gain popularity with a ST plug. And Paramount would feel you gained that popularity off of their product. I'd ask them. Or I'd publish the plug under another name...

Hope this helps (and sorry for the length),

Gorizo
(soon to be another registered user of EV. Let me get a job first...)

Just a word of warning. There is a $20,000 fine for a violation of copyrite. There is also a 6 year prison sentence if you intend to sell the material. A word of warning to everyone, make sure to include the appropriate copyrite notices if you intend to do anything close to a violation. Most people tend to see intention over effect, so that could buy you some sympathy.

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If you live in the present, then every moment is a new begining - A Dove chocolate wrapper
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