Slashdot Mirror
Who Owns Software?
SeeSp0tRun writes to remind us of Blizzard's lawsuit against MDY Industries over the Glider cheat. It seems that Blizzard is pushing it even further. They're trying out the legal theory that a software creator retains complete control over how a program is used, meaning that anyone who uses it in a different way could be found guilty of copyright infringement, at $750 a pop. The EFF and Public Knowledge are among the organizations trying to assure that the court doesn't set a really bad precedent here.
That's a very good point.
If I play (insert FPS name) until I go violently crazy and pull a Columbine, should I hold the game developer responsible?
What if I build a CDROM launcher and start shooting people with old AOL disks? Can the injured party sue Time Warner?
What about 3rd party security software? (for Windoze)If it fails to protect me, can I sue M$?
Kinda wild examples, but I'd personally like to see software companies made MORE responsible.
Years ago, I played Ultima Online. There was an issue with my ISP that could be handled with a 3rd party "add-on/hack" that kept the game connection (to UO)going during high traffic times.
Of course, I complained to UO and never received anything in the way of USEFUL help. So, I continued to use the "add-on" despite emails warning me not to.
Do I even have to go there about crappy M$ support? If it weren't for hacks, tools, and other unofficially supported tools, Windoze would be completely unusable in some cases.
Why can't we go back to using jumpers to configure slot adapter cards? Why? I say!
By having 'Glided' your way to 70 I am guessing that your ability to play your class will be about as good as someone who bought their account on ebay.
You nublet, this is like saying that people who use macros don't know how to play the game. It isn't a "cheat", you don't just install the program and wait for it to auto-level you to 70, it is nothing like buying a character on e-bay.
For the record, I quit that glorified hamster wheel a long time ago.
ZOMG you are so right! What a nublet I am!
Any *experienced* player would know *all* about glider and how to use it...
pffft... glad *you* quit!
In the free world the media isn't government run; the government is media run.