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I have a question about the copyright above script files

by Shane09 · in General Discussion · 03/06/2009 (7:28 am) · 7 replies

I noticed when I edit a script file, it contains a comment at the top as so:
// Copyright 2000-2006, GarageGames.com, Inc.

I don't get it?

And since I'm making my game, am I allowed to add a second one about my name? I noticed Ed Maurina did one in his MazeRunner lessons:

// Copyright 2000-2006, GarageGames.com, Inc.
// Written or modified by Ed Maurina, Hall Of Worlds, LLC

It's just a general question. I'm a little confused by it. Thanks in advance.
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Torque 3D Owner Ted Southard
#1
03/06/2009 (7:49 am)
The copyright is for portions of the script that are made by GG. If you add functions into those scripts that are yours, then by all means add something like...

//Portions copyright 2009 WhoIAmGoesHere

You can also separate your scripts and put your own copyrights at the top. It works either way.

Torque Owner Shane09
#2
03/06/2009 (2:00 pm)
So GarageGame's owns part of my scripts?

And for every script file I make, I only have to put my copyright, an not a GarageGames one?

Torque 3D Owner Ted Southard
#3
03/06/2009 (4:38 pm)
GG only owns the parts of the scripts that they wrote, and any script you write yourself would have your copyright on it, not a GG copyright.

Torque Owner Shane09
#4
03/06/2009 (4:41 pm)
Oh, okay. That pretty much clears things up. When I add my own functions, I know to add my copyright. I have to leave the GG copyright, correct?

EDIT:
I found this post by the employee Michael Perry.
Quote:You are free to do whatever you want with the scripts and assets of the products you purchase. Yes, you do have to display a splash screen with your game, but outside of that you are wide open. There is no obligation to use the GG comment header you see in some of the script files.
Does this mean I don't have to have the GG copyright notice on all above scripts that come with the SDK? I can replace them with my company?

Associate Orion Elenzil
Real Life Plus
#5
03/06/2009 (6:00 pm)
why would you replace a copyright notice written by someone else with one of your own, even if it were totally legal ? that's weird. i think Ted put it pretty well - GG owns the copyright to the parts GG wrote, you own the copyright to the parts you wrote. In addition, who is going to even see the copyright notices ? Generally when you distribute a game you delete all the .cs files (except main.cs) and only distribute the compiled .dso files.

Torque Owner Shane09
#6
03/06/2009 (6:07 pm)
By replace, I ment deleting the GG one, and adding mine. But Thanks. I guess that copyright question is solved.

Quote:
Generally when you distribute a game you delete all the .cs files (except main.cs) and only distribute the compiled .dso files.

I know this is a good way to hide your files so people can't access them to use in their game. However, is there a way to do something similar to this with all the shape files and images/texture?

Torque 3D Owner Ted Southard
#7
03/06/2009 (6:40 pm)
Quote:By replace, I ment deleting the GG one, and adding mine.

Pretty sure we knew what you meant by that ;)

I think you're getting a little wrapped around the axle regarding this. You can take GG's copyrights out without incurring their wrath, because if it ever came down to it, they can defend the code easily. But, as Orion pointed out: Why bother? Even if you put your own functions in there with theirs and forgot to add your copyright into the script, you don't lose your copyright to those functions. If you're that concerned, then either add your own copyright line like I said earlier, or use your own script files. It's not something to worry about...

As for the files, you probably want to do a search on zip access or compressed directories or something along those lines.