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Using Mac GUI elements in TGE Windows Apps

by Aaron E · in General Discussion · 05/09/2006 (11:14 am) · 7 replies

Hello all,

I've been wondering about the legalities of using the Mac GUI buttons and bars in my Torque-powered Windows apps. Eventually, I want to make Mac and Linux ports, but initially, I will be releasing for Windows. I personally prefer the styling of the Cupertino-spawned GUI and want to use it for all three platforms, but I don't want to get sued by Apple.

So, basically, I'm curious if anyone has checked into this or knows of an official statement that has been posted for TGE users of Apple GUI elements.

Thanks in advance
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Torque Owner Aaron E
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#1
05/10/2006 (10:59 am)
Just giving this the 24-hour bump

:)

Torque Owner Tim Heldna
#2
05/10/2006 (11:02 am)
I too use the mac gui elements as I feel they look nicer. I'm only releasing on windows and didn't give any thought into the legalities of the matter. I can't see it being a problem but will do some investigation and post here if I discover anything.

Torque Owner Aaron E
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#3
05/10/2006 (11:31 am)
A while back I read about one of the Linux distos getting in hot water over an OSX desktop 'skin' (or whatever it's called). I don't want that to happen here.

If you don't find anything and if an 'official' answer doesn't get posted from somewhere, then I will contact Apple and see what they say. I imagine this would be a common question for cross-platform dev environments like Torque. Maybe the GG guys could create a page on the web site for mult-platform issues/concerns.

Torque Owner Ryan J. Parker
#4
05/10/2006 (11:44 am)
Apple (in some form or another) owns the copyright. Bundling the images with your program would be a violation.

Ask a lawyer if you're seriously wanting to do this, but I strongly encourage you to make your own.

Torque Owner Aaron E
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#5
05/10/2006 (11:53 am)
Since the images are included in the Torque SDK, I've been hoping that Garage Games had worked out an arrangement with Apple (and Microsoft for the others). And I was hoping that it would also extend to SDK licensees/ors (sp?)

Fortunately, I have built a set of GUI elements that I'm reasonably happy with . . . but they definitely aren't as cool as the Mac stuff. That's one of the perils of using placeholder art, I suppose.

:|

Torque 3D Owner Jesse Liles
#6
05/10/2006 (12:23 pm)
I'm using the Mac-style gui elements for my own project. They look alot nicer than the Redmond equivalent. I'm going to continue using them until Apple asks me not to (Or until I make my own that look nicer =). It's a quick fix, anyway, if you have to change it in the future.

Torque Owner Nicolas Quijano
#7
05/10/2006 (12:40 pm)
Midhir, if your project is only for private use, fine.
Otherwise you're just saying I don't give a fuck about anyone's copyrights, so why should anyone give any thought to yours and buy your game ?
Think about it...
Like Ryan said, Apple has copyrighted the look and feel, and even though the images included in the SDK are not the ones Apple provide, they're close enough to the look and feel to be a breach of their rights.
Who cares it's a big corporation, that's not the point here : the point here if you're going to do business of a type that relies heavily on existing copyrights laws (good or bad), you should somewhat play by the rules you expect people to follow with your own products