SWG (pre-cu) Emu

[Oloh]

Originally Posted by leane

Actually the reason for the Blizzard suit vs bnetd was different and was based upon DMCA. specifically the bypassing of authentication of the CD-Keys which the DMCA says is a big no-no, along with any form of reverse engineering of the protocols, which could be a point used if Sony ever went after these guys. Although I think its perfectly valid to reverse engineer anything except software for some reason...

It was both. It is always cited as a DMCA in academia and on legal blogs, because that is the more "sexy" issue (a lot of legal scholars hate the anticircumvention provions in the DMCA). But, it also contained a breach of contract case (a clickwrap EULA). Not coming at ya, but check it out if you are interested. Was a really good decision for game developers because of the way the court decided it.

[BirgittePovar]

Originally Posted by leane

Although I think its perfectly valid to reverse engineer anything except software for some reason...

You'd be wrong. It's much harder to detect in non-SW cases, but you can not go disassemble a patented widget to see how it works then use that knowledge to create your own. It's just as illegal as it is with software.

[Elby]

Originally Posted by BirgittePovar

You'd be wrong. It's much harder to detect in non-SW cases, but you can not go disassemble a patented widget to see how it works then use that knowledge to create your own. It's just as illegal as it is with software.

That'd be an excellent point except that you're comparing reverse engineering patented technology to unpatented technology. There is a difference between patent and copyright.