Ideas and messages posted here become property of Apogee Software Ltd.

[Phait]

Elaborate on this.

[Joe Siegler]

Elaborate on this.

Why? It's nothing new - been on the forums for many years now, going back to before the time you were on the forums. You should know about this by now. It's a CYA in case anyone sues us over an idea in a game they had seen posted on the forums.

[Phait]

Why? Because I'm getting the impression 3DR has the right to anybody's ideas - even if they are not video game related. I see no reason why this would help 3DR if they had the right to a non-video game idea. Now Terminx just assured me it is only about video-game ideas - but your clause clearly does not state this, causing confusing and thusly me asking for elaboration.

[Kristian Joensen]

Actually if they had not had that disclaimer people might get the idea for suing 3D Realms for hosting their posts on their servers and "posting" them on the forums. Because we have all got the copyright to our posts.

I am wondering what the reason is for the thread title ? Where is that sentence from ?

[Phait]

<TerminX> it covers everything because, like I said, if it only stated it covered some things, people could try to skirt it
<TerminX> it EXISTS because of game ideas, but it COVERS everything just in case


It makes sense now, however there really should be a link to elaboration on it, or to this thread. Also, is this all in a legal binding contract somewhere or just stated?

[Kristian Joensen]

Phait where is the statement: "Ideas and messages posted here become property of Apogee Software Ltd." From ?

I can't find it anywhere.

[Phait]

The very bottom of any page.

[Kristian Joensen]

I see now, that is probably referring to the set rules you agree to when enterering the site, the relevant part says:

NOTICE: By submitting (e.g., uploading) Content to the 3D Realms Message Board, you automatically grant 3D Realms the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sub licensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such Content (in whole or part) worldwide and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed.

Notice that it says "non-exclusive" and "license" that is significant since it menas that they are talking about an actuall transfer of copyright at all. It is just matter of allowing 3DR do (hypotheticaly) do some things and not keeping the forum user from doing anything. Theoreticaly someone could post a story in a thread an later publish it as part of a book they wrote. 3D Realms couldn't and wouldn't do anything about that.

[Phait]

I understand it but..

Also, is this all in a legal binding contract somewhere or just stated?

[ADM]

It is legal. Because you agreed to it when you signed up.

[Phait]

Ok, well according to this (http://www.unc.edu/courses/pre2000fall/law357c/cyberprojects/spring01/cases.htm#Are%20Click-wrap/Shrink-wrap%20Agreements%20Enforceable?) online agreements are enforceable - I wasn't certain.