Dreamweb license: modifications and derived works

[Apo]

Hi all,

i have recently started to package Lure and Drascula for Debian GNU/Linux and i also saw that Dreamweb is offered for "free" at scummvm.org.

I can't find another thread about this but i wondered why an important paragraph is missing in Dreamweb's license.

All other games namely Beneath a Steely Sky, Flight of the Amazon Queen, Lure of the Temptress and Drascula: The Vampire Strikes Back contain this license paragraph:

You may modify the game as you wish. You may also distribute modified versions under the terms set forth in this license, but with the additional requirement that the work is marked with a prominent notice which states that it is a modified version.

If this is intentional could someone point out to me why this decision has been made? Would it be possible to change the license? The benefit of this paragraph was that it would be possible to include the game in Debian and i'm sure other Linux distributions could then embrace Dreamweb, too.

Any hints why Dreamweb is treated differently are welcome!

[sev]

Could you please explain, why Debian needs to modify the game data? This is basically what this clause is about. E.g. if you need to repackage the distribution tarball, this is not a modification.


Eugene

[Apo]

Hello,

Could you please explain, why Debian needs to modify the game data?

The license of Dreamweb does not permit modifications and fails point 3 of Debian's Free Software Guidelines.

http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines

This means the game cannot be included in the main section, which is the sole and official part of Debian. In its current state the license is not BSD-like as the other licenses of Lure, BASS, FOTAQ and Drascula. It is simply not a free license and needs a clause that grants the right to modify the game and to create derivatives.

Personally i won't change the game but the right to modify software is a strict requirement so that it can be included in Debian.

E.g. if you need to repackage the distribution tarball, this is not a modification.

This is correct. The license covers the right to distribute the game freely but that is the very least requirement. At the moment i can only package the game for the non-free section.

Therefore i'm interested why the license of Dreamweb differs from the other licenses in this respect.

Markus

[Apo]

Hello Eugene,

i haven't heard back from you since last week. Just for the record, would it be possible to change the license?

Thanks

Markus

[sev]

Hello Eugene,

i haven't heard back from you since last week. Just for the record, would it be possible to change the license?

I just e-mailed Neil with this question. We will see the outcome.


Eugene

[Apo]

Hi Eugene,

did Neil respond to your e-mail and what was the outcome?

Markus

[sev]

Hi Eugene,

did Neil respond to your e-mail and what was the outcome?

Yes, he did. He has no objections on adding that clause to the license. Now I need to find time to repackage all versions...


Eugene

[Apo]

That's great news. Then i'll simply wait until the new license is included in the packages. Thank you for contacting the copyright holders and all the hard work for ScummVM.

Markus

[pjburnhill]

So I've looked at the license.txt in the installation directory, it doesn't seem to reflect the copyright of the other games, which Apo mentioned. It just seems to allow free distribution (and even 'copying fee for this archive') but doesn't seem to mention anything about modifying the game. Is this an oversight from ScummVM side or did Neil give these specific points?

I'm just wondering if one was to create a remake-type version, if this would be allowed?

[pjburnhill]

By the way, was watching Tron and the intro track (Grid) really reminded me on the intro track to Dreamweb

http://open.spotify.com/track/5z9v299A7qXXSk2VY0sUu0