Re: Infocom Sample Transcript Games


15 Dec 1995 08:22:03 GMT

In article <DJL4K4.I93@eskimo.com>, Brian C. Lane <blane@eskimo.com> wrote:
>dgilbert@bu.edu (David Gilbert) wrote:
>
>
>> The main reason why I asked was because I had a few ideas of my own. Is this
>>type of thing legal, than? Or did you get special permission? Or did you just
>>figure "What the heck?" :)
>> Thanks!

I don't think Graham asked for permission. "Balances" is a *pastiche*
of a sample transcript. We must distinguish that from creating a game
that starts out *exactly* like one of Infocom's sample transcripts,
which I think is what was discussed.

> Sometimes I wonder if people really want to be creative? All this
>talk about copyrights, legal or not, etc. are immaterial if you want
>to create, especially if you don't plan on selling it commercially.

And, of course, if you don't mind being sued. :-(

Honestly, I don't think Activision will sue anyone for writing games
in, say, the Enchanter universe. However, if you do what I think the
original proposal was, that is take one of Infocom's sample
transcripts and incorporatae it, _verbatim_, in your game, then you
*are* infringing the copyright, and you *might* get into trouble.

> JUST DO IT! Infocom is dead, gone and buried.

Their legal rights aren't dead, gone or buried, they have just changed
hands.

Magnus