[karx11erx]

I'd just like to inquire whether Freespace 1+2 are completely in the public domain, and a legal free download is available. If so, where please?

[karajorma]

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42854.0.html

It's not public domain though. Only the source code is open sourced.

[BlueFlames]

The source code has been released for FreeSpace 2, but the game content has not been released for free distribution for either game.  Unfortunately, if you are looking for a legal means by which to download either of the games in their entirety, no such method exists.

[karx11erx]

That's no problem, just wanted to know whether I need to purchase the game or can have it for free legally. Will purchase then (should have kept it, back in those days ... )

It's just the same as with Descent 1+2 ... there's no one around even who could release the game data to the public domain, but you cannot just pass it on. That sucks (I am maintaining a popular open source Descent 2 version and would love to make the complete game available to everybody who's interested in it).

[peterc10]

Its not completely legal to download Freespace 1+2 but on the other hand, are Interplay really going to have the money to pay for lawyer?

[Dark Hunter]

Given the way they're recovering recently, they very well might soon enough.

[Jeff Vader]

I think we'd seen some consequences already if they were interested in preventing people from warezing FS.

[Stealth]

Its not completely legal to download Freespace 1+2 but on the other hand, are Interplay really going to have the money to pay for lawyer?

or they might pay for a lawyer, knowing they'll get a pretty nice return when they win the lawsuit

[Stealth]

and on that topic...

if you want a copy of Freespace 2, contact me... send me a PM.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

and on that topic...

if you want a copy of Freespace 2, contact me... send me a PM.

Or try BitTorrent. I got mine from it.

[Stealth]

don't promote obtaining it via illegal means plz.

[Talon 1024]

Why don't we buy out the IP rights ourselves, as a community? That way, we can do whatever the heck we want with FS, and legally.  Besides, I heard someone mention that it isn't very expensive.

[colecampbell666]

The IP would likely be 250000$+.

[Dark Hunter]

Not very expensive compared to other IP's, maybe, but that still makes it very expensive for anyone who isn't a big corporation.

[Stealth]

yeah i think we'd be looking at a bare minimum of $100,000+.

That makes it an awful lot for a (relatively small) community to purchase.

Maybe if we had 400,000 members we could start some sort of collection, but in reality we don't, and even if we did buy the license/IP, what would we do with it?  What would it all be worth.  you know?

[blackhole]

Well you could make <censored> a reality. *cough*

 

[CP5670]

It's worth essentially nothing, as making further games in the series would be financial suicide these days for any buyer. We would simply be poorer.

To be honest, I find it a little funny that people are worrying about this so much when we have been distributing it for almost four years now. If Interplay actually cared, we would have gotten a C&D notice long ago. Buying the IP in the current situation is akin to putting titanium armor on your roof because you're scared of incoming meteors.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

It's worth essentially nothing, as making further games in the series would be financial suicide these days for any buyer. We would simply be poorer.

To be honest, I find it a little funny that people are worrying about this so much when we have been distributing it for almost four years now. If Interplay actually cared, we would have gotten a C&D notice long ago. Buying the IP in the current situation is akin to putting titanium armor on your roof because you're scared of incoming meteors.

Not that those meteors would even get past the earth's atmosphere anyway...

[Aardwolf]

BitTorrent is not illegal. What is illegal is using it to download copyrighted materials.

[Stealth]

yes, but advertising that you can download FS2 from Bittorrent... is, essentially, against the forums rules (since that is illegal...)

trust me.  i got banned once for doing the same thing (advocating downloading something illegally)