The danger isn't that a judge will say that EQEmu is illegal, because making interoperable software IS legal. The danger isn't even that someone might say it's illegal to use your EQ client with EQEmu, because, as Shawn said, EULA's aren't signed contracts (also, many states place additional restrictions on this kind of "take-it-or-leave-it" contract--there's a term for them, but I don't remember what they're called). The danger is a SLAPP-type lawsuit that is meant to say, we know you're right, but we'll impoverish you with legal fees if you try to fight or compete against us. There are laws granting damages to victims of such suits in many states (inluding mine
) but you only get damages AFTER they have been found liable and you've fronted the cost to your lawyer to defend you. I'm pretty sure that such a suit would end this project in a heartbeat--I sure won't fight VI on it, and that's one reason why I only make the admin tool. In that case, my recommendation would be to write a separate client from scratch and use all-original content (i.e. a complete divorce from EQ, which would IMHO be a good thing anyhow).
Morals:
1. Keep the discussion of such files OFF this forum--they're talking about it over on other emu boards (hint). Let THEM take the heat for it. I still strongly recommend starting a separate client project so we can divorce ourselves from VI's. There is a lot of free content out there; there really isn't a reason to stay "married" to EQ anymore, now that the server code is finally maturing.
2. Do what I did. Crack open the wallet (sounds of dead presidents screaming "AHHH! THE LIGHT!") and send $100 to the EFF (
http://www.eff.org). They're the only ones out there at the moment defending against these kinds of abusive lawsuits.
3. Read slashdot (
http://slashdot.org). They usually do a good job of pointing abuses out. Educate yourselves.
rar!
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