Beware: Ultimate Quake removes shareware and changes licensing!

[kbdrate]

I have an original Quake CD from GT Interactive that uses lha files designed for DOS. It includes a shareware and registered version of quake. It has a directory structure for shareware and a different license than the registered version.

The Quake1 that comes with Ultimate Quake is a typical setup.exe installer. It only comes with a registered version of quake. The shareware version and shareware license is missing. It's unfortunate that when you buy the game 10 years later you get *less*.

LICENSE.TXT is for the registered game. LICINFO.TXT is only an overview but mentions an slicense.txt and rlicense.txt. My GT Interactive version has slicense.txt and rlicense.txt. This Activision version does not. Additionally, their license is different from the original rlicens.txt. They have intentionally removed the shareware version.

Also, if you read the license, the Activision (Ultimate Quake) license is more restrictive. It specifically prohibits creating derivative works that can operate on a demo, test, or any other version of quake. I checked my original CD and it has no such clause.

This new license also prohibits new creations in a way that the original CD did not: "You shall not create any New Creations which infringe against any third party right or which are libelous, defamatory, obscene, false, misleading, or otherwise illegal or unlawful."

Why should they care if someone makes an obscene mod? Who gets to decide what's obscene? And anything illegal is already covered by that nation's laws. IMHO a game's license should not be dictating this. Ugh, lawyers...

Here are the contents for those who are interested (I can't view the avi because it uses a proprietary codec):

Bin
Bin/Quake.dbd
Bin/demo32.exe
Directx
Directx/cfgmgr32.dll
Directx/directx.cab
Directx/directx.inf
Directx/dsetup.dll
Directx/dsetup32.dll
Directx/dxsetup.exe
Directx/setupapi.dll
Docs
Docs/COMEXP.TXT
Docs/GLREADME.TXT
Docs/Help.rtf
Docs/JOYSTICK.TXT
Docs/LICENSE.TXT
Docs/LICINFO.TXT
Docs/QUAKE Manual.pdf
Docs/TECHINFO.TXT
Docs/WQREADME.TXT
Docs/readme.rtf
Extras
Extras/Acrobat
Extras/Acrobat/rp500enu.exe
Extras/Cs
Extras/Cs/GETINFO.DLL
Extras/Cs/Sysinv.dll
Extras/Cs/anet.inf
Extras/Cs/sysinfo.exe
Extras/Quake Movie
Extras/Quake Movie/History_of_Quake.avi
Setup
Setup.exe
Setup.ini
Setup/Data
Setup/Data/CWSDPMI.EXE
Setup/Data/FXMEMMAP.VXD
Setup/Data/GENVXD.DLL
Setup/Data/LICENSE.TXT
Setup/Data/MGENVXD.VXD
Setup/Data/PDIPX.COM
Setup/Data/PMPRO16.DLL
Setup/Data/PMPRO32.DLL
Setup/Data/Q95.BAT
Setup/Data/QLAUNCH.EXE
Setup/Data/QUAKEUDP.DLL
Setup/Data/Quake.ico
Setup/Data/WDIR16.DLL
Setup/Data/WDIR32.DLL
Setup/Data/WDIRNOP.COM
Setup/Data/WDIRNOP.PIF
Setup/Data/WQ.BAT
Setup/Data/Winquake.exe
Setup/Data/quake.exe
Setup/Data/spd3d.uc
Setup/Data/spd3d.uc2
Setup/Data/vquake.exe
Setup/ID1
Setup/ID1/PAK0.PAK
Setup/ID1/PAK1.PAK
Setup/ID1/config.cfg
Setup/ID1/glquake
Setup/ID1/glquake/backpack.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/bolt.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/bolt2.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/bolt3.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/demon.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/dog.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/eyes.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/flame.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/flame2.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/g_nail.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/g_rock.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/g_shot.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/gib1.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/gib2.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/gib3.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/grenade.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_demon.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_dog.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_guard.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_ogre.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_player.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_wizard.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/h_zombie.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/invisibl.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/lavaball.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/missile.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/ogre.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/player.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/quaddama.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/s_spike.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/soldier.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/spike.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/suit.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_axe.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_light.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_nail.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_nail2.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_rock.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_rock2.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_shot.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/v_shot2.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/w_g_key.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/w_spike.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/wizard.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/zom_gib.ms2
Setup/ID1/glquake/zombie.ms2
Setup/OpenGL
Setup/OpenGL/GLQUAKE.EXE
Setup/OpenGL/OPENGL32.DLL
Setup/Setup.exe
autorun.inf

Edit: It uses lha files, not arc.

[Baker]

Thanks for the heads up on that.

[foq]

I dont understand. I just blow people up.

[Bank]

Shareware is a dead art, and as much as I cherish my original quake cd (along with my other first day cd-roms) I wouldnt be surprised if re-releases dont contain the shareware. First probably because you have the game, you dont *need* the shareware, and secondly it would be wasted on today's consumers.

[foq]

That would be like plauing the demo instead of the game. That's stupid. Why play the demo if you have the full game?

[Baker]

He is saying that the registered license that comes with the game NOW is MORE STRICT than the old registered license agreement was.

In otherwords, he is saying the license agreement that comes with Quake now is not as permissive as the old one.

In a way, this doesn't make much of a difference because almost everyone has the old one.

[kbdrate]

That would be like plauing the demo instead of the game. That's stupid. Why play the demo if you have the full game?

Well it's to give to your friends legally. It's not really about whether they include the shareware version since you can download it. It's more about this is a 10 year old game. Pressing CDs is very different from burning them and it doesn't matter if you include 650 MB or 20 MB. Why not include the full release?

[Spirit]

That bit is not new as far as I know:

Also, if you read the license, the Activision (Ultimate Quake) license is more restrictive. It specifically prohibits creating derivative works that can operate on a demo, test, or any other version of quake. I checked my original CD and it has no such clause.

[kbdrate]

That bit is not new as far as I know:

It is new. My original quake CD doesn't have anything like that. Does yours? In the shareware license, it says you cannot prepare derivative works based upon the software. However, that doesn't restrict you from using someone else's derivation.

Anyway, that new license is too restrictive. "Any other version " also refers to open source engines since they aren't the exact same version as shipped on that CD. So this new license prevents me from developing a mod for an open source engine or anything not from this official CD.

This new license has a whole new section on "Permitted New Creations" that doesn't exist in either original license (slicnse.txt or rlicnse.txt).

And looking at my original quake license, they only allow me to "create a map editor, modify maps and make your own maps (collectively referenced as the "Permitted Derivative Works") for the Software." which means all mods violate this license because it is not considered a permitted derivative work. There is no mention that this agreement can be updated later.

I'm curious: Where does it state mods are legal? I don't see anything in any of the original licenses.

[evilmegaman]

It is new. My original quake CD doesn't have anything like that. Does yours? In the shareware license, it says you cannot prepare derivative works based upon the software. However, that doesn't restrict you from using someone else's derivation.

Anyway, that new license is too restrictive. "Any other version " also refers to open source engines since they aren't the exact same version as shipped on that CD. So this new license prevents me from developing a mod for an open source engine or anything not from this official CD.

This new license has a whole new section on "Permitted New Creations" that doesn't exist in either original license (slicnse.txt or rlicnse.txt).

And looking at my original quake license, they only allow me to "create a map editor, modify maps and make your own maps (collectively referenced as the "Permitted Derivative Works") for the Software." which means all mods violate this license because it is not considered a permitted derivative work. There is no mention that this agreement can be updated later.

I'm curious: Where does it state mods are legal? I don't see anything in any of the original licenses.

I am pretty sure it's just activision's liscence. Not necessarily the liscence for the source code. Plus, the liscence goes for ALL copies of quake not just the new ones. If the liscence has been updated, It applies for everyone. Doesn't really matter though, ID doesn't care

[kbdrate]

If the liscence has been updated, It applies for everyone.

I don't think this is true. An author can always relicense works under a different license but you can't retroactively change the license.

[scar3crow]

Dont you say that you agree to the license during installation of that software package and thus it binds to you?

I havent installed that software package that they offer, thus I do not believe it binds to me. I have neither read it in completion, touched the product let alone installed it, or stated that I do agree with it.

[evilmegaman]

Honestly, I think the liscence thing was a mistake. I really don't think it's the one ID wanted. It is conflicting with the other one. So I say just don't worry about it. You don't void your warranty or anything.