: That would be a solution of last resort, if Bungie were to suddenly become
: unreasonable about allowing files in those formats to be distributed.
: I'm dubious that they can claim copyright over the header to start with,
: since the values in it vary based on the file's contents. Even if they
: were to do so, simply re-arranging a few things would suffice. Copyright
: protects an expression of an idea, not the idea itself.
: Now, if they were to have a patent on "method of indexing the contents
: of a map file" or some nonsense like that, it would be a different
: story, because the patent system is so totally broken there's no way to
: know what will pass muster. I'll just get a different hobby if that
: happens.
So, taking into account everything that's been said in this whole discussion, in THEORY, there's no drama with developing a wholly original IP product (even in the origin of said IP is commercial) providing that it's all released for free, with Bungie's 'no charging' notice, and GPL requirements, BUT it could still potentially get done over by an over zealous lawyer.
Please start going 'NOOO ROBTOT YOU FOOL, YOU DAMNED US ALL WITH YOUR CRAZY LOGIC' if I'm wrong :P
I'm assuming Marathon is still 100% Bungie owned and hasn't ended up in the hands of Microsoft right? I still don't quite trust those sneaky Microsoft d00dz, no matter how much money they spend on letting Bungie make freeze frame worthy trailers :P
(On a vaugely related note, how cool are the little SI Icon emotions in the top right during the Halo: ODST trailer?)
