BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

[Spawndemon]

There is a new media update posted today over on the BattleGroup-Frontlines mod website. Here's what they had to say:

Hello und welcome to a new Battlegroup - Frontlines Update. Today we unfortunately cannot give you new information about a possible release date of the patch, but we still have some information and pictures that will satisfy you.

First of all we would like to welcome a new developer, whose name is Gerhart. He will support our PR section with his talent and take screenshots and videos for you.

Now we want to present some information and pictures about our patch. It is already known that we will add a few maps and change gameplay only and we have already shown off the map "Fall 1943". Today we concentrate on our second map for the patch. It was created by Tomcraft and is a conversion of the BG42-Map "Dnjepr River", who huskerpat was responsible for. It was already released under the same name for BGF, but we decided to redo the map once again due to performance issues. This resulted in "Operation Edelweiss". Every world war II freak now knows what this map is about. It plays in the Caucasus or respectively close to the Caucasus. The so called "Edelweiss"-troops fought there from july 1942 on to try to get control of the important oil fields near the town of Baku. Partially this operation succeeded, but after the German loss in Stalingrad they had to leave the region. Now let us come to the pictures, of which the most were taken by Gerhart.

<a href="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/210720082312234235.jpg"><img src="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/thumb_210720082312234235.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/210720082312235235.jpg"><img src="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/thumb_210720082312235235.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/210720082312353636.jpg"><img src="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/thumb_210720082312353636.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<a href="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/2107200823122523455.jpg"><img src="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/thumb_2107200823122523455.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/2107200823125325235.jpg"><img src="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/thumb_2107200823125325235.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/21072008231223453465346.jpg"><img src="http://images.totalgamingnetwork.com/images/thumb_21072008231223453465346.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>

To check out this entire update, including all of the new screens, visit here.

[Polka]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

Epic win.

[takiwa]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

I will only say this once more.

TAKE MY STUFF OUT OF THIS MOD.

You continue to show pictues of completed work in news posts, with my statics being used all over the place.

You do not have permission to use them. Remove them.

[=98=]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

I will only say this once more.

TAKE MY STUFF OUT OF THIS MOD.

You continue to show pictues of completed work in news posts, with my statics being used all over the place.

You do not have permission to use them. Remove them.

Do you own any legal patents, intellectual property rights or copyrights on any of your work used in the game?

[takiwa]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

since I created them, yes I have intellectual property rights on them.

The same as any other modeler/texture artist in the gaming world.

And before you tell me to take this elsewhere...

1) When I was voted out of BGF, part of the "deal" was that my work go wth me. I was informed that my work was not needed, that it could be replaced, and so could I. So I was voted out. And not one of my models has been replaced yet.

2) I have been IP banned from their site (and forums), and they delete my comments from there news page so no one will know what is going on. The only "news" you get is from them, not me. So no one knows what is going on...like the map being shown this week, for example. It is a remake of Dnepr River, because I told them they couldn't use the one I did. But they try to make it sound negative because I did it..."but we decided to redo the map once again due to performance issues.". Why remake an entire map to get rid of the one I did, but stock the new one full of all my statics? I know why, but I'll let you guys figure that out on your own.

3) When I see my work being used by them, I have a right to comment against it, on whatever news site posts it, without being banned, edited, deleted, or otherwise hampered in my rights to make it known that those items are being used without permission and have to be removed.

[=98=]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

since I created them, yes I have intellectual property rights on them.

The same as any other modeler/texture artist in the gaming world.

As far as i can see, you do not have any officially recognised patents or copyrights on your work, thus, you do not solely own the rights to it.

I could be wrong, but i'm pretty sure you need a legal document outlining a patent or copyright on work before you can claim it's been illegally used.

1) When I was voted out of BGF, part of the "deal" was that my work go wth me. I was informed that my work was not needed, that it could be replaced, and so could I. And I was voted out.

2) I have been IP banned from their site (and forums), and they delete my comments from there news page so no one will know what is going on. The only "news" you get is from them, not me.

3) When I see my work being used by them, I have a right to comment against it, on whatever news site posts it, without being banned, edited, deleted, or otherwise hampered in my rights to make it known that those items are being used without permission and have to be removed.

We are simply a messenger boy between the mod teams and the public. We do not have any rights or direct interests in the legality of development. We simply display what we see.

Thus, it is no use arguing on this forum. You must contact the Mod team if you want to complain.

[takiwa]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

I have contacted them. I am putting this out in public, for all to see, so that people will know the content isn't authorized for use. They posted their news, I am simply posting mine. I wasn't argueing with anyone.

I could be wrong

you are. Google Intellectual property rights.

[=98=]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

you are. Google Intellectual property rights.

The nearest right you have is the "author's law" since you don't own patents or copyrights. "Authors law" was drawn up by the "Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works"

I think it's a grey area as "artistic work" is not well defined. But, i think computer games are an art. The only extract i could find that might back you up is below

"includes the right to be identified as the author of the work and the right to object to any distortion or mutilation of the work which would be prejudicial to his or her honour or reputation (Art. 6bis, Berne Convention)"

So, in theory, you distributed your work but do not have the right to claim it can't be used unless it has been changed or "mutilated" to such a state that it would damage your reputation. This does not seem the case in the mod, quite the opposite actually. You could only claim it couldn't be used if you own legal rights to it, which you do not.

The only right you have right now is to be officially named in the credits. Sorry.

[Marcituchi]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

I created an account just to say how ridiculous takiwa's situation is. I am completely on his side in this issue. (not that it changes the situation at all but I was turned off from the mod after reading what he said happened)

To vote you out of the developing team claiming you were dispensable is an insult alone, but still using your work in the mod after that is unacceptable. Despite whatever legal right they have to use it, it is wrong in my opinion.

I do understand that I only have one side of the story and until I hear the other side I will be biased, but as it stands now I can just shake my head.

[Polka]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

.

:|:

[Webs961]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

While copyright registration isn't necessary, it strongly helps in a court case.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

My suggestion: Get an attorney to send them a cease and desist letter. That gets people's attention pretty fast.

I'm considering writing an expository article on the nature of copyrights and mods. It may prove to be interesting.

[GMEM]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

Someone call AAK!

[huskerpat]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

I'm not speaking officially for BGF when I say this and my understanding of the entire situation is incomplete as I'm retired from the mod (darn real life). What I do understand is that any content made by Takiwa that was created after the 1.0 release or wasn't yet included in the release has been removed. The entire 1.1 patch as it was when he was removed was scrapped and restarted fresh with 1.0 as a base. All vehicles coded by Tak were reexported and recoded (including those in 1.0). Maps created by solely by Tak have also been removed (sadly because they were very good).

I hope I have misrepresented any of the facts related to this nor do I know that this list is complete, but I felt something needed to be said.

[takiwa]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

You know I don't hate you Pat

Although that wasn't the deal when I left. All my stuff needs to be removed. Period.
Pre or Post 1.0.

The fact that they can't replace these things is an indication of their modding ability. No one helped me put out 1.0, over 70% of the work done was by me, and if anything I have a fair amount of claim to the entire mod being mine. But I don't care anymore about BGF. The mod is dead, not because I left, but because they just can't mod. Out of 600 statics, 500 were mine. I suggest they find a way to replace those 500. Because the can't use them.

My suggestion: Get an attorney to send them a cease and desist letter. That gets people's attention pretty fast.

Spoke with one yesterday about this, after seeing this news release.

[Polka]

Re: BattleGroup-Frontlines Mod Update #68

The mod is dead

Well that is true, it died real fast after the first release.