Well, the thing is that most MODs aren't under the GPL and when it comes to getting money for it, then that's Valve's area. However, then it becomes a bit like Linux, when you're not supposed to sell it, but the box and manual and cd all cost around about $90, and don't forget the proprietary software somebody wrote for it (that's such an integral part of the OS that we can't take it out).
Fileplanet does provide the files free of charge (which is more a matter of perspective) using CDs as a viable option to those who don't want to suffer the wrath of FP and the price for those is not extravagant. But 10 GBP?!!? Unless it CDs are coated in silver and jewel case is made of platinum (well, maybe not) then that's hardly _just_ charging for the cd and case (we must also factor in hours of agonizingly hard labor). But when you put something on the internet, that's kind of the risk you take, especially when you allow it to be downloaded under the misconception that it's freeware (or under any other license which it's not). Unless you put a huge legal disclaimer (and don't forget the huge flashing letters about it) there's very little you can do (unless the awesome power of Valve's legal department steps in). -Philip > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Admin > Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 7:46 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > If your mod is made under GPL it is not protected from being > electronically copied and distributed. The license is > actually setup to encourage distribution as long as the > provisions of the license are met. > If the people selling the CD say they are not selling the > software they are simply charging for the media, jewel case, > shipping handling etc they have a leg to stand on. Same with > file planet, they actually provide free access to the files, > it's just that if you don't want to wait 3 hours you pay them > money and they provide a no wait server for you. Again not > charging for the software but instead charging for an > improved distribution mechanism. > > Software companies protect themselves from this by including > statements in their copyrights stating it is unlawful to copy > (electronic or > otherwise) the software. The kicker is if you were to do this > for GPL it kills the whole concept behind GPL and would > freeze the distribution. > > My Two cents: > - If someone is providing the public the impression they are "selling" > your GPL software, then stop them with legal letters and > lawsuits if necessary. > > - If you are mad that someone is making money off the > distribution of your GPL software and you are not, don't > create GPL software. > > Remember, the stronger the distribution channels the more > people see our software. How are people that don't have > internet access going to gain access to our mods? Are each of > us going to pay out of our own pockets the money to burn CD's > and ship them all over the world? > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Commando > Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 10:46 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [hlcoders] Our MOD's are for sale !! > > It does kind-of irk me that these guys are making so much > money off of our hard work, but is it really anything > different than organizations like fileplanet does? They are > charging you for downloading and making a CD copy for you, > not for the games themselves (or so they could argue). > > Maybe the question we should be asking is if it is okay for > us to do the same sorts of things to recoup some of our > costs? As long as mods continue to be freely available to > download, can we set up services to distribute the mod on CD > for a small fee to customers that prefer not to download > 100+ > meg? Not that I had even thought of this before now, but it > might be a way for some mods to pay for some of the bandwidth > required to host mod sites and fund development. > > Rob Prouse (Commando) > Tour of Duty Mod > http://www.tourofdutymod.com > > At 02:01 PM 29/12/2002 +0000, you wrote: > >This maybe a little OT, but in any case it affects a lot of us.... > > > >I recently went to a "computer fair" here in the UK, one stand was > selling > >lots of obviously "copied" CD's... The Quality of the CD Labels and > Inserts > >were infact diabolical.. > > > >I stumbled across a CD with several HL mod's on it... the > main picture > was > >of Counter Stirke.... the mods were listed on the back, amongst the > mods > >were my own mod "Wanted", as well as lots of other popular > mods, Action > HL, > >DoD etc..etc... too many to list... but the vendor was illegally > selling the > >CD's for �10.00 GBP. > > > >When I confronted the seller asking what permission he had > for selling > these > >mod's.. he stated they were all free-ware... I know this is not the > case, > >although Mods are avaliable freely for download, it is not legal to > re-sell > >them... So I want to know what you people think of this... I > know that > many > >of us don't get a penny for all the time and effort we put in to > creating > >these mods, but it drives me mad to think that someone else is just > >downloading them, cutting them to disc and making money out of doing > so. > > > >I forced the seller to give me the details of the person who he gets > them > >from, which I now have. (although I only have a name and UK > Telephone > >number). > > > >What are your thoughts ? > > > >Mike. > > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list > archives, please visit: > http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlcoders > > > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list > archives, please visit: > http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlcoders > > _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlcoders
