Xref: utzoo comp.sources.d:1711 rec.games.misc:1423
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!sri-spam!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!hplabs!pyramid!voder!apple!pwing
From: pwing@apple.UUCP (Philip L. Wing)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.d,rec.games.misc
Subject: Re: What is the status of Ogre computer game?
Summary: Another "Ogre"(tm) problem
Message-ID: <7265@apple.UUCP>
Date: 25 Jan 88 17:27:44 GMT
References: <2110@tekred.TEK.COM>
Organization: The Orchard
Lines: 38

In article <2110@tekred.TEK.COM>, billr@tekred.TEK.COM (Bill Randle) writes:
> Awhile back I posted a version of the game Ogre that had been
> submitted to comp.sources.games.  After doing so I received mail
> saying that Ogre was a copyrighted game (written|distributed) by
> Michael Jackson Games (or similar name; I'll have to dig through
> my old mail).  There was also some discussion on the net that
> it was in fact OK for somewon to derive a computer game from a
> board game without infinging copyright, etc.
	His name is Steve Jackson, and his company is Steve Jackson Games,
a fairly important boardgaming company.  The "Ogre" boardgame is one of
their most popular games, although most development time is now going into
"Car Wars".

> Well, I have ready to go an improved version of Ogre that has
> been submitted for posting.  Before I do or don't post it, I
> wanted to get the consensus of the net on whether it is legal
> to do so.

	The problem with your copyright is not that Steve Jackson Games has
a UNIX computer game, but that Origin Systems has a micro game based on
the game.  Depending on what the license looks like, Origin Systems might
be able to complain about the game if they are the only ones who can write
a "computer" game based on "Ogre".  Same problem as with microcomputer
"rogue" which was originally intended to be license for the the IBM-PC only
but the license was written as "microcomputers" so my planned conversion
for Apples was wiped out by Epyx and their version after they bought the
micro version of "rogue".

	Money's on the fact that you should be able to distribute this
thing since it is free.  "trek73" distribution is not limited by Paramount,
or Franz Joseph Designs, so you should be ok.  I'd love a version with
*DOCUMENTATION*, plus all the units possible in Ogre/GEV, including the
"Cub" ( a missile launcher on a GEV ).

-- 
Live Long And Prosper and May The Force Be With You(And The Carrier, Too...)

				Philip L. Wing