I find myself not quiet clear on this matter. But, without endangering the project, could a current owner of the EQ2 game and sony subscriber request the data files of an earlier build from someone here on the forums? I've got game keys for 3 accounts I own and can prove it so as to legally justify my claim. I'd just like to know if I can get a dvd from someone who has the compatible build saved and would be willing to furnish the disc and delivery fees. Thanks guys

Even if you have 1,2,3 or 10000 license Read the LUA of SOE:
Client distribution is NOT LEGAL

Ah, ok cool. Thanks for the info Alfa. I appreciate it. I'm in the middle of trying the patching with English (EUR) to see if it's still using an acceptable build. Got my fingers crossed

Part of the enigma of SOE marketing is that no matter how many copies of the game you buy, no matter how many expansions or upgrades, or Station service fees you pay, or how many years you were a customer... when it comes to the next bump for their corporate dollars, we all are required to pay for everything we already own again.
Normally I terrorize people who ask about back patching. But in this case, you bring up a great point. When does Blizzard, or CCP, tell their entire subscriber base that they have to now purchase all 11-14 expansions over again in a New Improved Box Set!!11 or they cannot continue to play? Weird, eh?
Yet, we do it. Like lemmings. Without question, without hesitation.
~types this while staring at his 2 copies of RoK, plus Trilogy, Platinum, Evolution, Titanium and Anniversary EQ1 sets crowding the booksheld~

Heheh seems you saw right to the point of what I was getting at. Thanks for the words John. There is a shelf which quiet unsubtley hangs over my computer desk bearing the burden of 7 different EQ2 boxes from various expansions and versions that have accumulated while keeping with progress on 3 accounts. It's quiet a shame really and I'd rebel where I to find another game that satisfies me more. Yet, I've fished and fished and tasted of all the yummy morsels out there only to discover that the 2 headed monster that is Sony gives me exactly what I look for in a game (barring of course the usual small complaints). Never-the-less... I'll have eyes pealed on the work here and when the window allows... I'll jump in to enjoy the rewards of you guys' labor.

You don't have the right to redistribute the game.
Redistribution is any form of sharing of the files, this includes sharing of the exact same files between two people that each have bought the game one thousand times.
You buy the right to use the game content. You don't actually own it like you would a physical object.

dippy wrote: also you can legaly download eq2 from fileplanet but it is in the [/color]2383L version (in french)...

File planet download is legal IF you have a licence for the game. So there is just two way to get the game:
1 DL Play the Fae
2 Buy RoK
So you know wath you have to do if you want to play

Why are you worried about distributing the binary to people, when you are already violating major parts of their license using the binary on non-Sony servers, reverse engineering, etc?

skandragon wrote:Why are you worried about distributing the binary to people, when you are already violating major parts of their license using the binary on non-Sony servers, reverse engineering, etc?

Because redistributing it is illegal. Creating a server is against their rules but not illegal in and of itself.

When we're talking about Sony, violating the EULA will cause them to sue you into last decade. Adding piracy to that will just cause them to add another digit to the end, making it into last century.
Seriously, Sony will add $$$ to the suit, but one is not worse than the other from a loss of business standpoint.

LethalEncounter wrote:Because redistributing it is illegal. Creating a server is against their rules but not illegal in and of itself.

I think that you should also consider keeping the database project separate from the emulator as well.
Item, NPC and Spell names are Sony's copyright (?) and although they wouldn't be able to bring a lawsuit over one or two item names, they could if the database ever began to become an almost replica?

Why would we want to exactly (or nearly) replicate Sony's quests, when we could have entirely new ones that are our own?

skandragon wrote:Why would we want to exactly (or nearly) replicate Sony's quests, when we could have entirely new ones that are our own?

I don't know if anyone knows more details of the EQ1 Emu server being shutdown, but apparently all their content was original?
It seems that it doesn't matter either way, sony will bite you if you get too big.
Anyone know the details on that?

In all emulation community Emu and DB are legal, wath is NOT legal:
Distrib the client
Connect to a no official server
So, if you want to play, buy, dl or get client by any way you want (but no on this forum). And if you choose to connect on a server you can but you doing an illegal action.