License: Contradictory

Other (objects, etc.) concept

A subset of License: Vague. License or copying information contains conflicting terms. ie: '$5 Freeware' or 'Public Domain but no commercial use', etc...

19
games
8
platforms
Here are some examples of what is contradictory and not contradictory in licensing.

It is surprisingly common for a copyright holder/developer to use a non-proprietary license such as GPL 1 or 2 but add some directly incompatible clause such as "no commercial use", "cannot be used to proselytize", "your must credit me", "you've been legally violated if you paid for this software because that's not allowed", "not to be used with sharks with laser beams", etc... GPL 1 or 2 for instance clearly states "ANY PURPOSE". Thus any restriction of use is not GPL 1 or 2 compatible. Due to language of Section 7 of the GPL 3, license-vague and license-contradictory are very unlikely ever to apply to GPL 3 licensed software.

Another common contradiction is saying "shareware" when the copyright holder/developer really means "demo". However, "Shareware Demo" is probably an accurate way to say a demo is redistributable and contains information for purchasing the non-demo version (the full game).

"Public Domain" is effectively a total revocation of all rights of the copyright holder/developer. They can't enforce any clauses. However, anyone can make a derivative work of a Public Domain work and use any license they choose for their derivative wither free or non-free (including the original copyright holder/developer). But note that copyright of derivative works of a Public Domain works begins on shaky legal ground and is really only as effective the team of lawyers hired to redefine the term "prior art" on behalf of the copyright holder/developer.

Charging for GPLed software (GPL 1 or 2) is not a contradiction. An copyright holder/developer can charge whatever price they want for GPLed works. In fact, a non copyright holder/non developer can do so as well. "ANY PURPOSE" is a simple term that can be explained as "ANY" followed by "PURPOSE". This includes COMMERCIAL PURPOSE and PROFIT PURPOSE and COMMUNIST PURPOSE and RELIGIOUS PURPOSE and IMMORAL PURPOSE and EVIL PURPOSE. Or in other words, ANY PURPOSE. Charging for GPL 3 software is not allowed is some cases.

Selling games (proprietary content) that use opensource engines is not a contradiction (though is can be in some cases of GPL 3).

Popular tags

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Parent group

License: Vague

Games by year

8890929496980002040608101214161820 41230

The first License: Contradictory video game was released on September 11, 1988.

Platforms

Linux 9
BSD 4
NeXT 1
Amiga 1
Windows 1
Apple II E 1
Arcade 1
Mac OS Classic 1