Re: Bug#310994: ITP: openttd -- open source clone of the Microprose game "Transport Tycoon Deluxe"

["Michael K. Edwards" <m.k.edwards@gmail.com>]

On 5/27/05, Reinhard Tartler <siretart@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 5/27/05, Matthijs Kooijman <m.kooijman@student.utwente.nl> wrote:
> > Package: wnpp
> > Severity: wishlist
> > Owner: Matthijs Kooijman <m.kooijman@student.utwente.nl>
> >
> >
> > * Package name    : openttd
> >   Version         : 0.4.0.1
> >   Upstream Author : Various
> > * URL             : http://www.openttd.org/
> > * License         : GPL
> >   Description     : open source clone of the Microprose game "Transport Tycoon Deluxe"
> >
> > I am working on this package and would like to see it in debian. I am still
> > looking for a sponsor until I can apply as NM.
> 
> As far as I understood it, it requires media files from the original
> game. Is this correct? Or are there free media files available?

That's correct; and, with or without that dependency, OpenTTD
infringes the copyright on Transport Tycoon Deluxe under a "mise en
scene" theory, as discussed on debian-legal.  (Not to say there's a
consensus or anything; but it's not that complicated an issue, and you
can draw conclusions from cases like Micro Star v. FormGen even if
YANAL.)  Though it looks like a lot of fun, OpenTTD belongs on an
abandonware site and not on the Debian mirror network, even in
non-free.

The same, really, applies to freeciv and the innumerable clones of
games, from Pac-Man to Doom, with anything resembling characters and a
storyline; but that's not a problem for debian-mentors.

Cheers,
- Michael
(IANADD, IANAL, TINLA)