Everyone saw this coming. And I am a glad this project is getting shut down. Not to be mean to the developer of the mod, but it's just not his place to make a MMO like this. He probably new this was going to happen, but he probably did this to bring it up. And anyways if Blizzard did let this project continue, and it was a successful project people would probably flock to the mod instead of playing Starcraft the RTS like WoW did to Warcraft the RTS. So for the sack of the series Blizzard had to shut it down. Although, I do agree a lawsuit is a little much, but Blizzard had to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
No lawsuit, just a little muscling the stuff out of Youtube, mostly.
Also, this guy's World of Starcraft wouldn't be a TRUE MMO. It would be more of a lobby game, since it would be using SC2 and Battlenet as the base framework. You would only be able to party with whatever the max group size is in Battlenet, and I'm not sure if you could make the maps persistent. (I would think they would reset whenever you leave). So basically a bunch of instances.
Also, DoTA was an insanely popular WC3 mod, and they never shut it down... they don't care if people play the mods more, or even exclusively, since that still leads to more sales of the game.
Once again people see what is obviously at least a trademark case and scream ‘Copyright, bla, bla, bla.” Trademark and copyright are not the same thing. While copyright law is being invoked here as well, it is Trademark law which requires them to step in.
Further up the page someone mentions branding. Trademark is how products are branded. Confusion in trademarks (who makes what) and not defending trademarks allows people to legally challenge trademarks. They cannot allow anyone outside the company to call a product World of Starcraft, without it being a World of Starcraft product and without it being licensed. Trademarks cover how products are branded and protected.
Once again people see what is obviously at least a trademark case and scream ‘Copyright, bla, bla, bla.” Trademark and copyright are not the same thing. While copyright law is being invoked here as well, it is Trademark law which requires them to step in.
Haha, I should actually know better too. Oh well. I can never keep copyright and trademark straight, which is probably why I'm not a lawyer.
Everyone saw this coming. And I am a glad this project is getting shut down. Not to be mean to the developer of the mod, but it's just not his place to make a MMO like this. He probably new this was going to happen, but he probably did this to bring it up. And anyways if Blizzard did let this project continue, and it was a successful project people would probably flock to the mod instead of playing Starcraft the RTS like WoW did to Warcraft the RTS. So for the sack of the series Blizzard had to shut it down. Although, I do agree a lawsuit is a little much, but Blizzard had to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
He can still make the mod, he just can't use the name and people still need SC2 and be on Bnet to even play the mod. Oh, there is no lawsuit that we know of only a copyright infringment of the name.
Actually, they've already said that's only the project code name.
That happens a lot when things aren't released yet, they just get some cool sounding code name as a placeholder until it really has a name. Either because they haven't decided on a name, or because the name gives away too much, or for whatever reason.
Let me assure you that I am in no way shape or form going to deliver anything less than complete perfection.
I don't feel bad for this guy because he was "bullied" on YouTube by Activision-Blizzard. I feel bad because he's so delusional and (seemingly) overconfident.
They make modding tools for Starcraft...then when people mod Starcraft, they pull copyrights on them?
They weren't modding SC2, they were making a completely different game with the modding tool and to make it worse, labeling it as World of Starcraft. I mean really, it's indefensible by anyone but asshats.
It is a SC2 mod... not separate. Just so ya know. People will still need to own Startcraft 2 for this to be playable, so Blizzard should make even bigger profit margins from it. I haven't bought SC2 yet, but I bet I will if this mod works like I hope it does.
Yeah, I'd love to see how you guys would react if it were your itellectual property that was being misused. Especially in a way that undermines any future plans you may have for the IP. I'm willing to bet my life that most if not all of you would be up in arms with lynch rope in hand. Not only upset at the principle of the matter, but the detrimental effects on income as well.
Guys put ya hate for blizzard to the side for one moment any and all companies would do the same... its the "name" that blizzard does not like not the mod. And if you cannot understand why then just leave....
Guys put ya hate for blizzard to the side for one moment any and all companies would do the same... its the "name" that blizzard does not like not the mod. And if you cannot understand why then just leave....
If it is just the name, not the mod, as many people think, then I'm sure we will see the mod back in play as soon as Blizzard/Activision/whoever contacts the modder, calmly explains why the video had to be taken down, and it is rereleased with a different name. Problem solved, yes?
Guys put ya hate for blizzard to the side for one moment any and all companies would do the same... its the "name" that blizzard does not like not the mod. And if you cannot understand why then just leave....
If it is just the name, not the mod, as many people think, then I'm sure we will see the mod back in play as soon as Blizzard/Activision/whoever contacts the modder, calmly explains why the video had to be taken down, and it is rereleased with a different name. Problem solved, yes?
As to the youtube vid yes blizzard had to act quickly - anything that gets on the net spreads very fast, think they had time to draft a letter to ask the modder to remove the vids at his lesuire? if the modder does not throw a hizzy fit and changes the name I am sure the mod will continue.
They weren't modding SC2, they were making a completely different game with the modding tool and to make it worse, labeling it as World of Starcraft. I mean really, it's indefensible by anyone but asshats.
Only if he somehow earns money on it. Using a modding tool to make fan created conetent is not something bad. It is small minded of Blizz to handle it like this.
I have never heard of anything similar, other companies are glad that people use their moding tools.
Activision is turning Blizzard into a very small minded company. This would not had happened 10 years ago.
Selling modified content is a very different matter, only Blizzard have the right to do that.
Blizzard did the same thing to a team making a Warhammer Dawn of War, Starcraft mod a few years ago, back before the Activision/Blizzard deal ever happened.
Personally I'm on the side of the WoS mod maker. He is a devoted Blizzard fan, making a homebrew game with a tool that Blizzard supplied him when he legitimately bought Star Craft 2.
Unfortunatly due to the murky world of copyright law, Blizzard actually has to go after this guy to defend their rights to their own IP license, whether they want to or not. Stupid as it sounds, if a company does not defend against infringments of their IP they stand a chance of losing the rights, and of course the money made from that IP.
To paraphrase the old adage about fun and someone losing an eye.. The world of creating flights of fancy is always fun until lawyers get involved.
"Gypsies, tramps, and thieves, we were called by the Admin of the site . . . "
You don't see any SC2 map using "Starcraft" on its name.
I'd say it's about the name. The name "World of Starcraft" itself would cause hype and attention to that mod.
I have my doubts they would remove a World of Starcraft mod from their in-game database, but on Youtube, they have to take it down. I would.
Being targeted by the press has its ups and downs, see how this guy got so much attention within days, and heck, this decision to remove the Youtube video might even draw negative attention on Blizzard for defending itself (though who complained about it was actually Activision), heck, it probably will, since we're at a news post where there will be people on both sides (as there is no absolute right here).
There is no way in hell they can prevent a SC2 mod inspired on WoW (keyword: inspired), such level of censorship would be absurd, but names are serious business. You don't copyright game mechanics, even the Public Quest (TM) from Mythic won't prevent mechanics similar to them from happening, as we surely are seeing in upcoming MMOs.
The mod is definitely impressive but the modders have more talent than to make spin off from one of blizzards games. Make something original. For example, why you think leagues of legends and counter striker were so popular?
Ok wise guy, I have written a beautiful MOD and it is called World of Guild Wars - the real MMO.
And I am sure Korean NCSoft will be VERY glad that people use that name for an amateur game.
Just like EA/LucasArts will sue anything with the name World of Star Wars written on its game.
The reaction is pretty much a no brainer.
Except for the frustrated dudes who don't seem to have the capability to reason anymore.
How about making a mod called 'Left 2 Die' (Very close to a certain Valve title) or 'Blizzard DoTA' (Valve owns DoTA)
Oh wait, Blizzard already did that. DERP.
That's the sort of things that happen when people make mods. You think of all people, Blizzard would understand that and be as gentle as possible when following up on getting the name changed. Especially since it was a mod made for their own game, named after the game that the mod engine is for.
Kind of like somebody making a level called 'World of Little Big Planet' in LBP. :P
Comments
No lawsuit, just a little muscling the stuff out of Youtube, mostly.
Also, this guy's World of Starcraft wouldn't be a TRUE MMO. It would be more of a lobby game, since it would be using SC2 and Battlenet as the base framework. You would only be able to party with whatever the max group size is in Battlenet, and I'm not sure if you could make the maps persistent. (I would think they would reset whenever you leave). So basically a bunch of instances.
Also, DoTA was an insanely popular WC3 mod, and they never shut it down... they don't care if people play the mods more, or even exclusively, since that still leads to more sales of the game.
Once again people see what is obviously at least a trademark case and scream ‘Copyright, bla, bla, bla.” Trademark and copyright are not the same thing. While copyright law is being invoked here as well, it is Trademark law which requires them to step in.
Further up the page someone mentions branding. Trademark is how products are branded. Confusion in trademarks (who makes what) and not defending trademarks allows people to legally challenge trademarks. They cannot allow anyone outside the company to call a product World of Starcraft, without it being a World of Starcraft product and without it being licensed. Trademarks cover how products are branded and protected.
Haha, I should actually know better too. Oh well. I can never keep copyright and trademark straight, which is probably why I'm not a lawyer.
He can still make the mod, he just can't use the name and people still need SC2 and be on Bnet to even play the mod. Oh, there is no lawsuit that we know of only a copyright infringment of the name.
It's called Titan.
Actually, they've already said that's only the project code name.
That happens a lot when things aren't released yet, they just get some cool sounding code name as a placeholder until it really has a name. Either because they haven't decided on a name, or because the name gives away too much, or for whatever reason.
I don't feel bad for this guy because he was "bullied" on YouTube by Activision-Blizzard. I feel bad because he's so delusional and (seemingly) overconfident.
The title probably raised red flags for Blizzard. Could see this coming.
He who keeps his cool best wins.
It is a SC2 mod... not separate. Just so ya know. People will still need to own Startcraft 2 for this to be playable, so Blizzard should make even bigger profit margins from it. I haven't bought SC2 yet, but I bet I will if this mod works like I hope it does.
Guys put ya hate for blizzard to the side for one moment any and all companies would do the same... its the "name" that blizzard does not like not the mod. And if you cannot understand why then just leave....
If it is just the name, not the mod, as many people think, then I'm sure we will see the mod back in play as soon as Blizzard/Activision/whoever contacts the modder, calmly explains why the video had to be taken down, and it is rereleased with a different name. Problem solved, yes?
As to the youtube vid yes blizzard had to act quickly - anything that gets on the net spreads very fast, think they had time to draft a letter to ask the modder to remove the vids at his lesuire? if the modder does not throw a hizzy fit and changes the name I am sure the mod will continue.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but here's what I see happened:
1. SC2 launched w/ mod tools
2. Group makes SC2 a MMO w/ said mod tools
3. If said MMO based on SC2 were not shut down players would have to buy SC2 to play it
4. Anyone playing said MMO would be giving Blizz money
5. Blizz shuts it down?
That didn't take long, LOL! Blizzard (Activision?) can seriously burn in hell, though.
They should have picked a Valve game to mod then if it was any good they'd probably have given jobs or had the project officially supported.
Let's all complain to Blizzard about this, and say you can at least hire him to work for you.
might get him a job
Yup, that's certainly the way the real world works.
Only if he somehow earns money on it. Using a modding tool to make fan created conetent is not something bad. It is small minded of Blizz to handle it like this.
I have never heard of anything similar, other companies are glad that people use their moding tools.
Activision is turning Blizzard into a very small minded company. This would not had happened 10 years ago.
Selling modified content is a very different matter, only Blizzard have the right to do that.
Blizzard did the same thing to a team making a Warhammer Dawn of War, Starcraft mod a few years ago, back before the Activision/Blizzard deal ever happened.
Personally I'm on the side of the WoS mod maker. He is a devoted Blizzard fan, making a homebrew game with a tool that Blizzard supplied him when he legitimately bought Star Craft 2.
Unfortunatly due to the murky world of copyright law, Blizzard actually has to go after this guy to defend their rights to their own IP license, whether they want to or not. Stupid as it sounds, if a company does not defend against infringments of their IP they stand a chance of losing the rights, and of course the money made from that IP.
To paraphrase the old adage about fun and someone losing an eye.. The world of creating flights of fancy is always fun until lawyers get involved.
"Gypsies, tramps, and thieves, we were called by the Admin of the site . . . "
just do like blizz did to warhammer, just change the last name. instead of world of starcraft call it
world of Starfall
just rename the units and races and maybe add a bit of cosmetic change. there you go done.
You don't see any SC2 map using "Starcraft" on its name.
I'd say it's about the name. The name "World of Starcraft" itself would cause hype and attention to that mod.
I have my doubts they would remove a World of Starcraft mod from their in-game database, but on Youtube, they have to take it down. I would.
Being targeted by the press has its ups and downs, see how this guy got so much attention within days, and heck, this decision to remove the Youtube video might even draw negative attention on Blizzard for defending itself (though who complained about it was actually Activision), heck, it probably will, since we're at a news post where there will be people on both sides (as there is no absolute right here).
There is no way in hell they can prevent a SC2 mod inspired on WoW (keyword: inspired), such level of censorship would be absurd, but names are serious business. You don't copyright game mechanics, even the Public Quest (TM) from Mythic won't prevent mechanics similar to them from happening, as we surely are seeing in upcoming MMOs.
Ok wise guy, I have written a beautiful MOD and it is called World of Guild Wars - the real MMO.
And I am sure Korean NCSoft will be VERY glad that people use that name for an amateur game.
Just like EA/LucasArts will sue anything with the name World of Star Wars written on its game.
The reaction is pretty much a no brainer.
Except for the frustrated dudes who don't seem to have the capability to reason anymore.
The mod is definitely impressive but the modders have more talent than to make spin off from one of blizzards games. Make something original. For example, why you think leagues of legends and counter striker were so popular?
How about making a mod called 'Left 2 Die' (Very close to a certain Valve title) or 'Blizzard DoTA' (Valve owns DoTA)
Oh wait, Blizzard already did that. DERP.
That's the sort of things that happen when people make mods. You think of all people, Blizzard would understand that and be as gentle as possible when following up on getting the name changed. Especially since it was a mod made for their own game, named after the game that the mod engine is for.
Kind of like somebody making a level called 'World of Little Big Planet' in LBP. :P