How about a Space Empires IV Mod with the Races from Gal Civ and MOO in them?

Perhaps... but I fear that that would be inviting people to try and compare GalCiv and Moo too directly, as if GalCiv was "meant" to be just like a Moo game. There seems to be a misconception that GalCiv is "competing" directly with Moo3, which has sparked some kind of misguided "turf war". Or perhaps this type of mod might be misinterpreted as an admission that GalCiv is just a poor-man's Moo, instead of a unique ground-breaking game in its own right.

That's all politics, though, and has nothing to do with the "fun factor" that Duglis was refering to. I would never tire of kicking Klakkon butt all over the galaxy, in any game!

I'd rather just play GalCiv myself . . .

Grifman

So Grifman, you would not be interested in any type of mod for GalCiv, say, Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Pokemon, whatever?

Duglis,

I can think of another reason you are not likely to see Moo or SE races in Galciv, nor SE or Galciv races in Moo (except for humans) nor MOO or Galciv races (except humans) in SE. Copyrights.

~SDC~

Not in official galciv, but you'll see it all over the place since user mods are copyright independent until that very rare summons occurs.......

Correct me if I'm wrong, but user created mods are not subject to copyright laws. Stardock may, however, (depending on the license agreement that users agree to when they install the game) claim that the mod represents an attempt to "reverse-engineer" their software. But as long as the mod-creater wasn't trying to profit in any way from the mod, I doubt that this charge would stick.

Yeah, i just mean it would be FUN

a mod with a bunch of MOO/MOO2/MOO3/GALCIV civilizations.

unofficial of course

Doug

Well, mod SE4 as you want, the subject here should rather be what you want in GALCIV mods, no ?
I've no problem with SE4 race in GalCiv BTW LOL !

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but user created mods are not subject to copyright laws."

You're wrong.
Just because it's fan based doesn't change it being a copyright infringement to use material that doesn't belong to you.

Of course, some companies recognise that it's just a bit of fan based fun and will turn a blind eye. Lucasarts, for instance, apparently only ask that fans not use the "Star Wars" name in the title of their mod, so it isn't confused with the official games they put out.

~SDC~

One thing Stardock has already warned us about: When you upload it to the GalCiv library it gets checked for possible copyright infringements. If they find any, it does not get onto the library. Since the library is owned by Stardock, they would be more at risk than we would be. Passing it around amoungst ourselves without involving Stardock would only put the participants at risk, not Stardock, and I would have to guess that the risk would be very low.

~SDC~

True, Lucky Jack, but all you guys bare in mind: SEIV modders did fabulous jobs but I always wondered IF they actually EVER finished a game at all. They were (are) all the time busy tweaking the game to their needs/thoughts (which basically is OK, of course). But first of all I think you should enjoy this in my opinion indeed first 5X GAMING XPERIENCE

"You're wrong.
Just because it's fan based doesn't change it being a copyright infringement to use material that doesn't belong to you."

I stand corrected. Now how am I going to break it to my kids that they can't dress up and pretend to be "Star Wars" characters because it's a copyright infringement?

"I stand corrected. Now how am I going to break it to my kids that they can't dress up and pretend to be "Star Wars" characters because it's a copyright infringement?"

I hope that's not sarcasm because you think you're right?
Disney has issued a cease and desist against a school play before.
It's a common misconception that you can do whatever you want if you're not making money from it. You can't. You must have permission or it is a breach of copyright laws.

Breaching copyright doesn't mean you automatically get in trouble, though.

~SDC~

'Now how am I going to break it to my kids that they can't dress up and pretend to be "Star Wars" characters because it's a copyright infringement?'

That is specifically mentioned in the Fair Use Act as an exception, and even if it wasn't, LucasFilm authorizes the manufacture of Star Wars costumes.

The only purpose for a costume is to act a part, therefore the manufacture of the costume is an implicit authorization to people buying one granting the right to act out a part otherwise held under copyright.

~SDC~

"The only purpose for a costume is to act a part, therefore the manufacture of the costume is an implicit authorization to people buying one granting the right to act out a part otherwise held under copyright. "

As long as the costume manufacturer has a license from the copyright holder to produce the costume.


~SDC~

'Now how am I going to break it to my kids that they can't dress up and pretend to be "Star Wars" characters because it's a copyright infringement?' LOL

That was meant as a joke. I forgot to append the appropriate emoticon to convey my intent.

Fair Use rights are based upon the level of infringement as balanced against four equally ranked categories. Those four are-

1. Purpose of the Use (Better if not for profit, etc.)

2. Nature of the Copyrighted work (The more fact-oriented the work you copied from, the better it is for you)

3. Amount and Substantiality of the Copied Work (In the case of the mod I am afraid that's a lot- both quality and quantity)

4. The Court's belief of the effects this copying will have (or has had) on the market for that good.

You could come up with all kinds of arguments both for and against creating freely-distributed fan-made mods for GalCiv and SEIV based on the above categories. Your best bet would be to examine various and sundry cases in this area in an attempt to find loose analogues. I personally think it sounds like a bit of a crap shoot either way, but what do I know, I'm just a law student!

Welcome to GalSuit Law site ! LOL

When in doubt, play it safe.

~SDC~