Copyrighing A Game /w Torque
by Frogger · in General Discussion · 04/05/2004 (4:16 pm) · 9 replies
I'm having some difficulties understanding this:
That was what I got off the Library of Congresses Copyright website (US), but I'm having some trouble understanding it. You see, in just about every page of the source code for Torque there is the convienent title:
So, what do I do? Do I replace it with my Copyright? ( I don't have one yet, but I'd like to flatten this bump out right now instead of later)
I was wondering If I could just keep it, since I was looking into publishing with GarageGames, but it is more of my own IP isn't it? Anyway, I don't even know if I'll be able to publish with GarageGames Anyway, so don't take it as if I honestly think I'll be able to.
Hope you can answer, and GG employees would be helpful.
Quote:
Computer Programs: One copy of identifying portions of the program (first 25 and last 25 pages of source code) reproduced in a visually perceptible form, together with the page containing the copyright notice, For details please see Circular 61, Copyright Registration for Computer Programs.
That was what I got off the Library of Congresses Copyright website (US), but I'm having some trouble understanding it. You see, in just about every page of the source code for Torque there is the convienent title:
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------- // Torque Game Engine // Copyright (C) GarageGames.com, Inc. //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, what do I do? Do I replace it with my Copyright? ( I don't have one yet, but I'd like to flatten this bump out right now instead of later)
I was wondering If I could just keep it, since I was looking into publishing with GarageGames, but it is more of my own IP isn't it? Anyway, I don't even know if I'll be able to publish with GarageGames Anyway, so don't take it as if I honestly think I'll be able to.
Hope you can answer, and GG employees would be helpful.
#2
04/05/2004 (4:43 pm)
Ok, well, i'd care less! I just wanted to be sure, and I think you are correct. Not like anyone's going to look at my source code anyway, except for me :) 
#3
Raverix
04/05/2004 (5:05 pm)
Doesn't the license restrict you from ever releasing any of TGE's code? So unless you code 25 pages worth at the top of one of your main files, and then another 25 pages straight at the bottom, this'll be a bit difficult.Raverix
#4
04/06/2004 (2:32 am)
Tim: GG's license restricts you from releasing the C++ code. Scripts are fair game to release as part of your - download the Torque demo, for instance.
#5
You do have a right to redistribute binaries and the script files.
Hope that cleas things up. I am not a lawyer.
04/07/2004 (11:48 am)
You have rights to use but NOT to redistribute the Torque source code. So copyright to it it essentially irrelevant, as you'll never be making copies of the code. :)You do have a right to redistribute binaries and the script files.
Hope that cleas things up. I am not a lawyer.
#6
However, if I also remember correctly, anything you create such as this is automatically copyrighted unless you specifcally release your rights to it, which my guess is you don't want to do.
Displaying the copyright, which you can do now without a problem, and registering the copyright isn't required, it's just ways that you can completly cut the legs out from underneath anyone who would try to infringe on your copyrights... then again, I'm also not a lawyer.
Raverix
04/08/2004 (11:10 pm)
Well the way I understand the above copyright information, in order to copyright your software, you must provide them with the first and last 25 pages of the source code... However, if I also remember correctly, anything you create such as this is automatically copyrighted unless you specifcally release your rights to it, which my guess is you don't want to do.
Displaying the copyright, which you can do now without a problem, and registering the copyright isn't required, it's just ways that you can completly cut the legs out from underneath anyone who would try to infringe on your copyrights... then again, I'm also not a lawyer.
Raverix
#7
04/08/2004 (11:33 pm)
Also, remember that any content (graphics, models, text, etc.) you distribute with your game is unambiguously copyright you and you alone unless you specifically state otherwise. This is a very convenient fallback in case there is ever any question about your control over the source. There almost certainly won't be, but just in case lightning strikes, you're STILL protected. 
#8
04/09/2004 (6:55 am)
Send 50 pages of your code revisions and scripts and you'll be fine.
Torque Owner Nicolas Quijano
What you can do is add a copyright notice to your name, in files where you've added code you wrote, not a resource, or stuff like that, saying "parts (c) your name" or something like that.
For files you create from scratch, your copyright can be proeminent, but for TGE game, you're going to have to include, a parts (c) GG, because you're using their IP, their code in making your own code.
Hope I'm right, as IANAL, and not GG :)
What's sure, is you can't replace GG's copyright in the stock TGE files : they own that IP, not you or me