4 ms·

I'm not a fan of EA and I feel like this restriction probably wasn't a strict requirement by legal (while as the opposite might be very good counsel - refusing

by munk-a 5y ago

I'm not a fan of EA and I feel like this restriction probably wasn't a strict requirement by legal (while as the opposite might be very good counsel - refusing access to any patented material while another party is believed to be infringing on other IP of your). But like... it's free so either this has no impact on your life because you choose not to use it over it being a potential landmine legally - or you make use of it. Either way I think this move is at minimum neutral and probably a net good.

andrewzah 5y ago
It is free, but with conditions. I dislike EA doing this as a publicity stunt while they’re essentially keeping people at their mercy if they use these patents. I guess I would prefer it if they said “conditionally free”.
- laumars 5y ago
  It’s a pretty standard clause. Why would EA give up their IP for free. Don’t get me wrong, I get it’s cool to hate EA and I’m definitely down with hating them as much as the next gamer. But this isn’t an example of them being evil.
  - matheusmoreira 5y ago
    > Why would EA give up their IP for free. Why is it even possible for them to patent stuff like this? There should be no IP to own in the first place.
    - laumars 5y ago
      I also hate patent laws as much as the next person, but what you’re now complaining about is a much bigger issue and one that’s not going to change any time soon. This kind of defensive use of patents I’m actually ok with. Indie firms who can’t afford expensive patent disputes benefits and in the mean time it protects EA against larger firms. The bigger issue here isn’t the clause, it’s peoples dislike of EA. Sure EA have earned that distrust but this isn’t one of their shitty moves.
  - teawrecks 5y ago
    Again, not free.
    - labster 5y ago
      No money is paid. It’s definitely free.
    - laumars 5y ago
      That’s was my point. Why should they give it up for free? EA aren’t a charity. Plus as I’ve said before, this kind of clause is really quite common. Even FOSS has done it on occasions
ipaddr 5y ago
This seems like a good thing but it is a bad thing for anyone who chooses to use it. EA can mistreat anyone using this in any way and they have no recourse for fear of pulling a licease. A free gift with string attached is not a free gift. The patents are not worth the lawsuit and fees. This has negative preditory value. It is fake source.

by munk-a 5y ago

andrewzah 5y ago

It is free, but with conditions. I dislike EA doing this as a publicity stunt while they’re essentially keeping people at their mercy if they use these patents. I guess I would prefer it if they said “conditionally free”.

laumars 5y ago
It’s a pretty standard clause. Why would EA give up their IP for free. Don’t get me wrong, I get it’s cool to hate EA and I’m definitely down with hating them as much as the next gamer. But this isn’t an example of them being evil.
- matheusmoreira 5y ago
  > Why would EA give up their IP for free. Why is it even possible for them to patent stuff like this? There should be no IP to own in the first place.
  - laumars 5y ago
    I also hate patent laws as much as the next person, but what you’re now complaining about is a much bigger issue and one that’s not going to change any time soon. This kind of defensive use of patents I’m actually ok with. Indie firms who can’t afford expensive patent disputes benefits and in the mean time it protects EA against larger firms. The bigger issue here isn’t the clause, it’s peoples dislike of EA. Sure EA have earned that distrust but this isn’t one of their shitty moves.
- teawrecks 5y ago
  Again, not free.
  - labster 5y ago
    No money is paid. It’s definitely free.
  - laumars 5y ago
    That’s was my point. Why should they give it up for free? EA aren’t a charity. Plus as I’ve said before, this kind of clause is really quite common. Even FOSS has done it on occasions

ipaddr 5y ago

This seems like a good thing but it is a bad thing for anyone who chooses to use it. EA can mistreat anyone using this in any way and they have no recourse for fear of pulling a licease. A free gift with string attached is not a free gift. The patents are not worth the lawsuit and fees. This has negative preditory value. It is fake source.