Hello friends!
I created a game for the iPhone and now I'd like to release its source code under a GPL license. The problem is that I would like like to release my art and music to let people compile and launching in my game (for personal and testing purposes) but I don't want that anyboy use art/music for any other reason, specially commercially or similar.
So, in the readme file and all *.h and *.m files I should write something like:
"Copyright (C) 2010 Ricardo Ruiz López
This program is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License."
What should I write to protect my art and music? Take in account that English is not my main language, so for me is very difficult to write a legal text. Can you help me with that?
Thank you very much for your time and help.
How should I release my source code under GPL but not my art/music?
The GPL was never designed for art or music. It makes specific references to "programs", "source code", "object code", compiling code, and so on. Games that attempt to use it to cover their art, audio, and other non-code assets run a risk that it might not be covered, or that the actual coverage may not be what was expected. It is something that is completely untested in courts, so nobody knows for certain.
Creative Commons has several licenses that specifically apply to music, art, and other works. There are also other public licenses out there if you want them.
Before you release anything you should discuss your decision with an attorney who understands IP law and also understands the licenses you are considering. They can verify that you are granting only the rights you intended, and aren't accidentally releasing too much.
Creative Commons has several licenses that specifically apply to music, art, and other works. There are also other public licenses out there if you want them.
Before you release anything you should discuss your decision with an attorney who understands IP law and also understands the licenses you are considering. They can verify that you are granting only the rights you intended, and aren't accidentally releasing too much.
Quote:Original post by frob
The GPL was never designed for art or music. It makes specific references to "programs", "source code", "object code", compiling code, and so on. Games that attempt to use it to cover their art, audio, and other non-code assets run a risk that it might not be covered, or that the actual coverage may not be what was expected. It is something that is completely untested in courts, so nobody knows for certain.
Creative Commons has several licenses that specifically apply to music, art, and other works. There are also other public licenses out there if you want them.
Before you release anything you should discuss your decision with an attorney who understands IP law and also understands the licenses you are considering. They can verify that you are granting only the rights you intended, and aren't accidentally releasing too much.
Thanks for reply.
But I don't have resources to ask a lawyer.
Does anyone know an example of an open source program that its art y released only for testing purposes, forbiding all other uses (specially commercially)?
Does anyone how can I explain that idea writing a few sentences in legal English?
Thanks a lot for help.
It's not that hard to pick an appropriate Creative Commons license. Why not go to the site and look before trying to write your own...
Quote:Original post by sprite_hound
It's not that hard to pick an appropriate Creative Commons license. Why not go to the site and look before trying to write your own...
Interesting link, thanks. It seems it is useful for me.
"Frets on Fire" is a game where the source is released as GPL but the artwork (specifically, the songs) are not. You could have a look at that.
Also, ID software has released the source code of many games under a GPL license, without the artwork.
Also, ID software has released the source code of many games under a GPL license, without the artwork.
Quote:Original post by Sander
"Frets on Fire" is a game where the source is released as GPL but the artwork (specifically, the songs) are not. You could have a look at that.
Also, ID software has released the source code of many games under a GPL license, without the artwork.
Thanks, but it seems more complex than I thought.
GPL and Apple license are incompatible, basically because people can't redistribute you modified app (digital certificates that only allow Apple, through the App Store do that).
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/why-free-software-and-apples-iphone-dont-mix
So, it is not possible using GPL with the iPhone, I guess I should write my own license, am I right?
Quote:Original post by ricardo_ruiz_lopezQuote:Original post by Sander
"Frets on Fire" is a game where the source is released as GPL but the artwork (specifically, the songs) are not. You could have a look at that.
Also, ID software has released the source code of many games under a GPL license, without the artwork.
Thanks, but it seems more complex than I thought.
GPL and Apple license are incompatible, basically because people can't redistribute you modified app (digital certificates that only allow Apple, through the App Store do that).
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/why-free-software-and-apples-iphone-dont-mix
So, it is not possible using GPL with the iPhone, I guess I should write my own license, am I right?
There are plenty of other licenses you could use, IIRC GPLv2 doesn't have the problem mentioned there, (Even with apples signing keys people can distribute a modified version of your app, they just can't run it without getting their version signed by apple), if you don't need/want strong copyleft the BSD license is simple and works with pretty much anything.
Writing your own license is definitly possible but without the assistance of a lawyer its hard to know if it covers what you want it to cover.
Quote:Original post by ricardo_ruiz_lopezIf you don't have resources to consult an attorney, then no. It will almost certainly not be watertight.
I guess I should write my own license, am I right?
Quote:Original post by ricardo_ruiz_lopezThere are literally hundreds of existing licenses, many of which have similar copyleft features to the GPL, while not running afoul of Apple's policies.
So, it is not possible using GPL with the iPhone, I guess I should write my own license, am I right?
You should never prefer to write your own license (unless there really is no license that fulfils the same requirements), because the legal costs in drafting, and more importantly, fighting to protect, such a license are potentially very high. Prefer a license backed by a large enough foundation to have some legal clout (i.e. the FSF, Mozilla, Apache, etc.).
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