License Question

Dirso

14-05-2007 14:14:51

Sorry to post this question here, but since English is not my mother language and I'm not a lawyer, I would like some help.
I make a FrameWork lib with Ogre, OpenAL, GameState and NxOgre. This is making my work way easier than always adding libraries and so on. Am I allowed to put everything on a package and distribute them?

Thanks,
Dirso.

betajaen

14-05-2007 15:08:53

I would expect so, yes.

ahmedismaiel

14-05-2007 15:18:47

do u mean you do a static linking with those libraries ?
if so then you must release the source code of that framework lib

Dirso

14-05-2007 16:35:00

I actually would be happy to release the source code as well. But I don't want other developers have to install anything else, I would like to deploy everything in a single installer package include the PhysX stuff.
I DO wanna make money with my game, and since the community has help me so much in this development, I would make this to try to help others.
I don't think I can distribute source code from the libraries I'm using, but my core would be free of charge.
I just don't wanna be sued for the Ageia. Since I'll deploy its dll without the need of going to their site and register.

betajaen

14-05-2007 16:39:27

I assume your game dynamically links those libraries, then you don't have to supply the source.

If your game statically links those libraries; You really need to read the licences for them all, and check for conflicts.

You won't be sued for supplying the SystemSoftware (as long as it isn't modified); most games supply the needed libraries once they are installed, such as the DirectX runtime, or a audio library, PhysX is just the same.

Dirso

14-05-2007 16:44:45

You won't be sued for supplying the SystemSoftware (as long as it isn't modified); most games supply the needed libraries once they are installed, such as the DirectX runtime, or a audio library, PhysX is just the same.

That's exactly my question. Is this considered a middleware? If so, the same license apply to it?

ahmedismaiel

14-05-2007 17:02:43

you can make a folder with all the libs that the developers need to develop ( including yours )with but you cann't make a one lib file that have every thing

if you did it the second way the LGPL is very strict u'll have to release all your source code ,and then rely on donations from those developers

Ageia doesn't sue you if you distributed the dlls ,but will sue you if you distributed any part of the sdk ,like .h ,.cpp ,.lib .you should direct your developers to download the sdk from the website and in your framework do what ever necessary to link with the library where it's installed

betajaen

14-05-2007 17:03:10

You should really treat it as the same as the DirectX run time; it's commerical and no source is available.

Make it auto-install when you install, and your good to go!