Patch 4.10 - Development Updates by Daidalos Team

[SaQSoN]

Originally Posted by swiss

Background: Northrop Grumman Corporation recognizes that the copyright in a photograph, illustration or painting of a vehicle is owned by the photographer, illustrator or artist, respectively (absent a contractual arrangement otherwise).

NG forced Ubi and 1C to sign a contract, which prohibits them from using images of vehicles to which NG owns copyright in the IL-2 game and it's add-ons.

Which means, 1C still can not use them in the game.

Plus, what AndyJWest said.

[Mysticpuma]

What aircraft did Northrop Grumman manufacture that may not show themselves in SoW updates?

That's a little forward thinking I know, but once the SoW simulation engine is released to third-parties (already has been I think), what aircraft will they not be able to have in SoW expansion packs for fear of treading on toes and being sued?

Just wondering how this may/could affect future developments?

Cheers, MP

[ElAurens]

Anything made by Northrop, Grumman, or any company they have acquired, ever. This takes in most of the US ship building business, so it would include a very large number of suface ships used by the US Navy in the second world war.

This was discussed at length when the issue first raised it's head at the release of Pacific Fighters. Following the NG corporate family tree would also mean that many ships used by the US in World War One would also be off limits.

Just invetigate N-G's website and trace the corporate history.

It will be a serious dent in the Korean war as well.

[swiss]

Originally Posted by AndyJWest

It doesn't look like the situation has changed. Northrop Grumman is still claiming to hold copyrights relating to 'electronic or video games'. In any case, as I understand it there was a legally-binding settlement reached, which presumably still stands.

Personally, I have serious doubts that Northrop Grumman's claims would stand up in court, but since it isn't my money to risk, I can't blame software developers for not taking them on. If NG want to erase themselves from history, that is their problem...

Read again, it's about:

Likewise, the free license does not apply to use of Northrop Grumman’s trademarks for any form of merchandise such as toys, models, clothing, coffee cups, notebooks, electronic or video games, etc.

Ubi and 1C sold a commercial product - TD is not.
Pretty much changes everything.

[PilotError]

Originally Posted by Mysticpuma

What aircraft did Northrop Grumman manufacture that may not show themselves in SoW updates?

That's a little forward thinking I know, but once the SoW simulation engine is released to third-parties (already has been I think), what aircraft will they not be able to have in SoW expansion packs for fear of treading on toes and being sued?

Just wondering how this may/could affect future developments?

Cheers, MP

I thought the N-G issue only applied to IL-2 and it's add ons.
Unfortunately this seems to include TD work as well.

But SoW is a totally new product, so hopefully it will not be included in the N-G legal contract.
Maybe just a lot of wishfull thinking on my part.

[swiss]

Jeez - is it so hard to understand?

If you make money using their some of their intellectual property, they want their fair share aka royalties.
Not more, not less.

Well, TD does not, that's why I think they could get NG's ok.

[csThor]

You have a few hundred thousand $$$ ready just in case NG doesn't follow your argument? No? We don't, either. As such it is simple - let sleeping dogs lie. TD won't touch anything NG-related as Oleg specifically asked us not to. End of discussion.

[Romanator21]

Soooo, do the Grumman Wildcat and Hellcat not apply to the copyright issue? How were they incorporated into the game, but not some battleships, and other aircraft?

[JG53Frankyboy]

but TD is making official patches for a 1C game.

i would not risk any money for lawyers !!!

Grumman stuff is dead................. blame them , not the gamedevelopers.
and true, for future PTO and Korean stuff i have no good hopes because of that !


what a 3.party modeller will bring in the game, without making money, THAT is another story i guess. but TD is in the sence of Law no 3.party.

[csThor]

Aircraft as Wildcat and Hellcat were what Ubi and Oleg had to pay for ... Any other NG-related item (such as the battleships) means NG will hold out its hand and wait for Oleg to shove some cash their way.