Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!ucsd!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!aplcen!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tektronix!sequent!cseaman
From: cseaman@sequent.UUCP (Chris "I'm Outta Here, Man!" Seaman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Fred Fish & Tetris Clones
Keywords: Tetris,Fred,Fish,Amiga,PD,look,feel,spectrum,holobyte
Message-ID: <34620@sequent.UUCP>
Date: 8 May 90 21:31:14 GMT
References: <5672@sugar.hackercorp.com> <24577@usc.edu>
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Beaverton, OR
Lines: 51

papa@pollux.usc.edu (Marco Papa) writes:
< davidm@sugar.hackercorp.com (David Martin) writes:
< >   I have been hearing increasing comments locally about an
< >on going problem with Fred Fish and Spectrum Holobyte
< >about Tetris...
< 
< As Fred has mentioned, as far as copyrights are concerned it doesn't
< matter whether the infringer made any profit out of the infringment. 
< If SH has filed for copyrights properly, they can collect triple damages
< out of an infringment lawsuit, NO MATTER what was the actual profit, if any,
< made by the infringer.

Yes, they do have every right to pursue and collect damages.  They are
not, however, required to do so.

< I've seen some of the screen shots of these 'clones'. They indeed look
< IDENTICAL to the actual SH's Tetris, and as such likely infringe on the
< 'visual' copyright (note that the current deposit requirements for
< computer games include BOTH source code and/or object + screen shots,
< all part of the same filing).

I have only seen two of the clones myself.  One (which WAS called 'Tetris')
GURU'ed immediately on my 2500, and was deleted.  I waste enough time on
other things;  I don't need to waste more time on poorly written software.
The other, called 'Tetrix', runs fine, multitasks well, and does maintain
the 'look and feel' of falling geometric shapes formed from colored
blocks (though very little else about this version resembles SH's product).

< If you are upset at the fact that SH intends to enforce their rights
< under current laws, then write your congressman and tell him to change the 
< laws.

What I am upset about is the fact that SH produced a product of inferior
quality, which does not multitask, does not run easily from WB or CLI,
cannot be installed on a hard disk (it is copy protected), and will not
run on a 68020 (a 2620 board, for those who are interested).  Initial
reports indicate that it doesn't run on an A3000, either.

It appears that SH feels the existence of these 'clones' is damaging sales
of their product.  It is entirely possible that the only reason they have
sold as many as they have is due to the addictive nature of the game itself,
not their implementation.  By way of example, I bought my copy sight unseen,
after having tried the Mac version (which can be installed on a hard disk).

< -- Marco

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