Changes on Test

Fippy · Post by **Fippy** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:06 am

I very much doubt they have used the same code as MQ2FPS for a start theres gui elements with the slider which will be totaly different and there are sure to be enough differences in the program logic so the GPL wont apply.

I am pretty sure they thought it was a good idea and decided to do it themselves and AFAIAC that all good. The more things EQ does itself the less people will want to use MQ2. That means less chance of somebody getting themselves banned and less of a spotlight on MQ overall.

monster69 · Post by **monster69** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:30 am

My understanding is that MQ2FPS isn't under the GPL. It was written by, and the copyright is totally under the control of Lax. Looking at the files, there is not a notice of the GPL in MQ2FPS.

That being the case, if SOE did use Lax's code, that is outright code theft rather than a GPL violation. Being able to prove it, wasting the money on attorneys, and getting a judge to side with you.... just don't see that being very likely.

Kambic · Post by **Kambic** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:58 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Lax have an open letter to SOE explaining how he had written the code and encouraging them to do the same?

cgi-bin · Post by **cgi-bin** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:51 pm

monster69 wrote:My understanding is that MQ2FPS isn't under the GPL. It was written by, and the copyright is totally under the control of Lax. Looking at the files, there is not a notice of the GPL in MQ2FPS.

MQ2 source is released under the GPL. The GPL states:

These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. If
identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program,
and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in
themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those
sections when you distribute them as separate works. But when you
distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based
on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of
this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the
entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it.

Thus the MQ2FPS code that was included with MQ2 as a whole can continue to be used by MQ2 developers, or anyone else for that matter as long as they keep it licenced under the GPL. LAX is free to use his original code for whatever he wants (as he has done) as long as it doesn't include other portions derived from MQ2 code already under the GPL. He is well within his right to restrict and/or charge for his EQPlayNice utility.