Legal issues with the Level Editors and our product
by Ironbelly Studios · in Artist Corner · 09/18/2008 (6:58 pm) · 3 replies
Currently our team of level designers all use a variety of tools from UT2k to Hammer to Radiant. Now am I correct in my understanding that it is strictly prohibited that any of these tools be used to create levels for our game if we intend to release it as a commercial product? Basically leaving us with the only option of creating our levels 100% using Constructor?
Is there a way for me to verify my level designers are actually using constructor? How can I assure that they aren't just saying they are when they could be simply using Radiant to make the overall level and then taking it into constructor at the end to do all of the torque specific stuff? I want to make sure my butt is protected in this situation as the fact remains that my team members are located from all around the world and I have no way of going to their house and verifying if they are following my strict instructions to use Constructor. Even if there is a legal document in place that they have signed saying they agree to use only Constructor I would still like some sort of way to verify this instead of having EPIC come knocking at my door with legal action.
Thanks a bunch for your advice
Is there a way for me to verify my level designers are actually using constructor? How can I assure that they aren't just saying they are when they could be simply using Radiant to make the overall level and then taking it into constructor at the end to do all of the torque specific stuff? I want to make sure my butt is protected in this situation as the fact remains that my team members are located from all around the world and I have no way of going to their house and verifying if they are following my strict instructions to use Constructor. Even if there is a legal document in place that they have signed saying they agree to use only Constructor I would still like some sort of way to verify this instead of having EPIC come knocking at my door with legal action.
Thanks a bunch for your advice
About the author
#2
Now I was reading somewhere about radiant being GPL as well, well at least GTKRadiant but then I saw conflicting statements saying you still needed their permission.. such a complicated field we choose to throw ourselves in :)
09/19/2008 (3:45 pm)
Heh, as the old saying goes a contract is worth the paper it's written on especially with global contractors.. But I understand what you are saying and your advice is good as it covers my butt as much as I can as just curious if there was a way for me to double check that they are actually using constructor so that I don't have valve or ID come back at me.Now I was reading somewhere about radiant being GPL as well, well at least GTKRadiant but then I saw conflicting statements saying you still needed their permission.. such a complicated field we choose to throw ourselves in :)
#3
09/21/2008 (6:29 pm)
GTKRadiant is GPL'd, so you can download the source, compile it for your artists, and be ready to go. 
Torque Owner Nathan Martin
TRON 2001 Network
So, legally the only way to protect yourself is to get a lawyer and have them draw up some legal documents for your employees and contractors to sign that basically says that anything they created for you was done in a legal manner and if not so you cannot be held liable for anything they have done and that they will be held legally responsible for their own actions.
So basically go see a lawyer and take all legal procautions and don't worrry about it any further. :)