So, does this mean whatever mod from you is suspect? I mean, you
are threatening a certain kind of people now...
Actually I'd be more liable to trust dales mods since he got so pissed on this. I've been playing civ since it came out, each version gets patches and several expansions, and the next version is usually out before I'm done enjoying the last one.
Unlike, say music, where the performer does one piece of work and then reaps royalties forever on nothing at all, Sid supports the game after I get it, and improves on it, plus he usually gives modders the ability to alter the games with freely distributed mods, and even brings the better modders into the official team.
Also unlike music where someone who improves a song and sings it in public is liable to be sued, and has really no chance of joining the band.
The contrasts can go on forever. I generally see copyright laws as theft from the public, and point to great works such as the odessy and illiad which were altered through eons before reaching their present form, and the silliness of not allowing people to write of their life experiences because they include say . . . watching a cartoon who's name is copyrighted.
But stealing BTS before it's even released? If nobody every paid a dime to firaxis for this game why would they give us that third expansion I want? Why would they give us that next patch? That next tool to help mod?
Firaxis does something beyond just singing one song on stage, and they have a job supporting the product after it's out. Unlike micheal jackson stealing royalties on all those beatles songs he never sang. lol
This is where the "moral grey area" becomes much less grey. I can honestly say that bit-torrenting this work isn't just stealing from firaxis, it's stealing from yourself and the rest of us. That kind of person . . . is the guy who isn't thinking about morality (which can come into play with other kinds of copyright) or legality, or even value (what is the value of something in infinite supply?) but of sheer stupidity.
Firaxis is still working supporting the game, there is no infinite supply of support, games never make money from a paid concert, and no studio is taking all of sids money (I hope). The only reason to nab this is greed and stupidity. If you get zapped on that . . . I'm less than sympathetic.
