War3z

[tw3ak182]

Just checking to see if the software piracy people will be there. It's just because nearly all my games (150+) are warez stylee.

Would this be okay to still sign up?

[Baj]

Warez/pr0n/moviez or any other illegal material of any kind will not be allowed at i3.

if you are caught in possession, or found to be distributing, you will be removed from the event without a second chance and you entrance fee will not be refunded.

However, it is not illegal to bring copies of games when you have the originals at home, so long as you do not distribute these copies to other people.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind other attendees that we will be constantly monitoring the network for any *sneeky* gets who are sharing warez.

I know this may seem harsh, and I know you probably think we are d*cks for doing this, but a) it is illegal, so b) we risk losing futher sponsorship and incurring criminal charges if such piracy takes place. future events simply wont happen if we dont get sponsorship because of certain 'activities' at past events.

im sure other MPUK peeps would like to add more to this, and please dont take this as the definative answer, but this is pretty much our standpoint.

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[hSc]Baj
MPUK Web Programmer
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[Wizzo]

I think you've hit it right on the button there Baj. As these events grow in size and profile, we simply cannot afford the risk of being implicated in the distribution of this material. As such we are having to take progressively more stringent actions to ensure porn and warez are squeezed out of the events.

At the end of the day, these events are about playing games, not distributing illicit material. We will be taking steps to monitor the network for sharing of such material, as part of a "no tolerance" policy. We can't search people's hard drives, but if material is shared, be it via FTP or Microsoft File and Printer sharing, we will take action to ensure it's removal from the event.

The same goes for the burning of CD-Rs. Whilst it is perfectly legal to use these to back up your data, we see no need for people to have spare machines brought along for dedicated burning of CDs, as this constitues more than a "backup" role at an event such as this. The rule is one PC per player, as that is all we have space/infrastructure allocated for in the areas.

This may all seem harsh, but in order for these events to exist we rely on sponsorship backing and credibility. It's a shame these issues keep coming up, as this is supposed to be a gaming event after all, not a file-swapping extravaganza.

Cheers,

------------------
Craig "Wizzo" Fletcher
Multiplay UK

wizzo@multiplay.co.uk
http://www.multiplay.co.uk
ICQ: 3170276

[tw3ak182]

Just to clarify this, aslong as the games are installed, and they ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED you cannot do anything if they are illegal copies?

[SquireMuldoon]

If you are in any doubt as to the legality of any software that you posses, check out the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) at www.fast.org.uk (http://www.fast.org.uk)

Just to reiterate:

1: If you do anything with the software, without the permission of the copyright owner, whose terms and conditions are restricted by copyright as defined in the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, you are BREAKING THE LAW!

The copyright owner's terms and conditions are given in the License Agreement. These will vary between software products.

2: The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 which defines software as 'literary work', stipulates that you are allowed to make back-up copies of software, but only providing it is for lawful use. If you are in doubt, check the license agreement.

Now, on a more personal note, what kind of person comes onto a high profile site and publicly admits he has 150+ illegal games?

And why on earth did you think this might be ok?

[SquireMuldoon]

"Just to clarify this, aslong as the games are installed, and they ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED you cannot do anything if they are illegal copies?"

Do you mean MPUK? Well of course they can. For a start they can refuse you admittance and report you to FAST.

I think wizzo will back me up if I say that if you are discovered to have ANY illegal material in your possesion at the event, you will be ejected from the event forthwith.

[SaL|ence]

Warez is everywhere and its a good thing that mpuk are trying to stop its progression as its hurting legit hard workin software producin companies.
However I just wanna point out that you are a bit lame for averting attention to yourself about your warez initially, and I suggest you now do NOT take the chit as youll probably be noted and recive extra scrutiny.
However if you are stubborn and like to live dangerously my advice: burn your chit on cds and format you hd with a 2+ way partition, shove your warez onto 1 of the partitions but keep it sly, and it may be an idea to keep the volume to a minimum, also keepin yer comp open in case inspectors turn up is a good idea, just so that you hd is within removing and (a)hiding or (b)stamping on range. Belive me you dont wanna get caught with incriminating chit.
Then comes the magic, cloak one of your partitions. Put on a few legit full games on your c: dir to make it look real and you should get away with it.
have fun.
- http://www.multiplay.org/ubb/biggrin.gifaLnEt:SaL|ence-
#globechat

[SaL|ence]

goddamn those smiley faces are soo nippy

[SquireMuldoon]

Salence, how can you condemn software piracy in one breath, then give him advice on how to get away with it in another?

[Idylla]

Here's a question:

HOW DO WE PROVE WE OWN THE ORIGINALS?

(Without bringing them with us)

Also are cracked games (so i dont have to put the bloody CD in every time)illegal?

Do inspectors show up?

Should i allow ANYONE to see ANY portion of my hard disk?

Should i format beforehand and make sure that there is absoloutely no stuff that shouldn't be on there?

How private are our computers?

Some mor questions:

Wizzo?, the network cards which u sell (10/100) are they combo cards?
meaning they have both RJ45 and BNC connectors?

How much deskroom is there eg. for putting monitor and keyboard with rest?

How many people will actually be attending the event?

What prizes are there going to be?

AND LOTS MORE BUT THEY CAN W8

[Baj]

>HOW DO WE PROVE WE OWN THE ORIGINALS?
You cant without bringing them. You are not obliged to bring them if the game works without them.

>Also are cracked games (so i dont have to put the bloody CD in every time)illegal?
No, I have looked into this, as long as the crack isn't used in order to distribute the game without the cd, it isn't illegal.

>Do inspectors show up?
Where would be the fun if i answered that?

>Should i allow ANYONE to see ANY portion of my hard disk?
Ill have to hold back on that and check with Wiz/senior staff. I should think that browsing through your machine without you giving us persmission is an infringment of personal privacy, however, should we glance over your shoulder and see illegal material, youll be removed.

>Should i format beforehand and make sure that there is absoloutely no stuff that shouldn't >be on there?
Thats what im going to do.

>How private are our computers?
Depends on many things, DONT share you HDD, DONT leave it unattended without password protection, you can figure it out.

The views above may not be the FINAL view of MPUK, but probably pretty close to this, check with Wizzo for final answers

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[hSc]Baj
MPUK Web Programmer
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[Say_Ten]

Wizzo?, the network cards which u sell (10/100) are they combo cards? Meaning they have both RJ45 and BNC connectors?

No they're not, I've searched high and low for one of them and I haven't found one that exists.

How much deskroom is there eg. for putting monitor and keyboard with rest?

Yes there is, unless you've a really big monitor 'cause that's what I did at i3!!!




------------------
With regards,
Say_Ten

[bvark]

Inspectors have never shown up at any LAN party that I've heard of in the US or in Europe.

FAST simply don't have the resources for this, and the local plod/trading standards would only be interested if large-scale distribution was going on, I suspect.

A rough translation of the rules I saw at a German lan party a while back (IMO the best organised 100 person party I've ever been to):

We don't care about the legality of games on your computer. We ask you to use only legitimate software, but we recognise we cannot enforce it if you do not.
You are perfectly welcome to have password protected shares and ftp servers running on your machine.
You are not welcome to have unprotected shares or anonymous FTP servers on your machine that contain illegal material.
You are also not welcome to use large amounts of LAN bandwidth for file transfers, doubly so if you are on a non-switched segment.
You will be handed over to the police if we catch you selling warez.

I'd be happy to see rules like that in place at i3. I can't imagine staff are going to demand to see the contents of your CD wallet or hard disk, though.

[h0mer]

I think you kinda missed the point bvark. There won't be inspectors (or unlikely until this public thread http://www.multiplay.org/ubb/wink.gif), but Multiplay will not condone it. It's not just the legal implications, it could have repercussions for future events as sponsors will not support events with rep's for warez/porn distribution. You may not be arrested by local authorities, but they can kick you and/or your machine from the event.
And please remember, most of us are there to play games http://www.multiplay.org/ubb/smile.gif
I don't work for Multiplay or represent them, so I may stand corrected.

h0mer

[This message has been edited by h0mer (edited 01 February 2000).]

[Wizzo]

We can't check whether you own the originals for the games your playing. The content of your PC is your own business, it is the distribution and display of illicit material at the event that we are worried about. As such here are the key areas we'll be checking:

1. The display of pornographic material at the event is strictly prohibited. Anyone found doing so will be asked to leave the event.
2. The transfer of illicit material (most notably pornography and pirated software/videos) is strictly prohibited at the event, by any medium.

At present we plan on running checks on network neighbourhood for open shares for such material, and scanning various FTP ports for anonymous FTPs. If we catch you sharing this stuff, you will be asked to leave the event.

I hope this is the last post on this matter, as I'm getting pretty fed up having to be all "doom and gloom", when we should all be getting hyped up about the unadulterated gaming weekend that is i3!

Cheers,

------------------
Craig "Wizzo" Fletcher
Multiplay UK

wizzo@multiplay.co.uk
http://www.multiplay.co.uk
ICQ: 3170276

[SquireMuldoon]

Answers to some of your questions:

Q1 - How do we prove we own the original?
A1 - You will need to either bring the disk(s) or proof of purchase. Its a thorny issue, but if you have the original you'd be advised to bring it.

Q2 - Are cracked games (so i dont have to put the bloody CD in every time)illegal?
A2 - Yes and No. If the crack involved decompilation of code (backward engineering) it could be considered a breach of the license agreement. However, you are allowed to make backup copies, so it can be argued that provided the crack only enables you to make and/or use backup copies, it is legal.
It is a grey issue. Just make sure you still own the originals.

Q3 - Do inspectors show up?
A3 - I have not known this to happen, but if they were to do so I think that all they could do would be to observe, unless they had specific cause, ie a person had been reported.

Q4 - How private are our computers?
A4 - Depends on how open you make them! In the end, you are not very secure at all. Anybody who is adept at hacking will almost certainly be able to check out your system while you are connected to the network, but that in itself is illegal and so wont be a method used by MPUK.

Bottom of the line, DONT BRING ANY ILLEGAL SOFTWARE.

[Say_Ten]

In regards to bringing the originals. It's recomended that you bring all your originals, after all you never know when things are going to go haywire and you could have your entire system go down. Not a pleasent thought but a possibility and if you don't bring any disks then what ya gonna do? So bring them to be on the safe side!!!



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With regards,
Say_Ten

[TheGuyver]

hmmm my 2 cents worth.

It would be impossble to check everyones machine for illegal software.

If you the Player tell us the Organiser that the gold "backup" u are using is a true backup of an orignal u own, then we have no way to prove it.

Bringing originals is a very sore point.

Quote from wizzo
"We can't check whether you own the originals for the games your playing. The content of your PC is your own business, it is the distribution and
display of illicit material at the event that we are worried about. As such here are the key areas we'll be checking:

1. The display of pornographic material at the event is strictly prohibited. Anyone found doing so will be asked to leave the event.
2. The transfer of illicit material (most notably pornography and pirated software/videos) is strictly prohibited at the event, by any medium."

So there you have it. You do not have to bring your originals with you. be nice if you did.

We are simply more worried about people looking at this event as "a Warez event" to get the latest games etc. We cannot legally check your machine, as your machine is your own business. If u chose to use illegal software then bare in mind if you are caught it will be you who would recieve the fine.

The software licences are for you the end user only (unless otherwise stated i.e SIte Licence) If you chose to violate that licence then that is your risk.

ATM we are working on the premise that if you get caught by us, DISTRIBUTING, WATCHING etc, then we will eject you from the event.

We really really do not want to do this. Trust us.

This is a gaming event NOT a warez distribution event. If you want to distribute warez, then setup a CD Mail List!

Note: I AM NOT IN ANYWAY SUGGESTING OR CONDONING THE ABOVE STATEMENT!

[7ths0n]

too right, it's about time people started cracking down on "warez" and **** at these type of events... is there anything you can do to get rid of 15 year old munchkins who think its kewl to spam on irc about their latest "l33t h4x0ring exploits" ?...

i would die a happy man if you could http://www.multiplay.org/ubb/smile.gif

Look people, warez stuff is bad m'kay ?...

^7th^

[Idylla]

Thanks for all the info, i wasnt worried about myself as i will have all legal stuff on my computer but just making it clear as to what is acceptable...

BTW: If we do set-up a passworded share would you
a)leave it alone
b)ask us to show you whats in it
c)kick us out of the event...

on the network card thingy i have actually found a 10/100 card with both RJ45 connectors as well as BNC you can find details here on the Microdirect Website: http://www.microdirect.co.uk/products/NetworkCards/3com/3com10-100PCICombo.htm
Hope that it's useful to u!, problem is that it costs £34 MORE than a normal 10/100 card!

Oh well! Looks like i might need to buy two net cards, one 100mbps one and one 10mbps BNC one, cos i dont have enough money to either a)Change my network to RJ45 and b)buy the combi card...

[bvark]

"too right, it's about time people started cracking down on "warez" and **** at these type of events... is there anything you can do to get rid of 15 year old munchkins who think its kewl to spam on irc about their latest "l33t h4x0ring exploits" ?..."

Don't think there have been too many of them @ Insomnia events - it was pointed out that most people would be too scared to l33t h4x0r the network when the admins are 20 meters away from them and very scary :-)

O'course, there's still the arp-of-death problem at LANs, but there was only one person doing that at I1.

[TheGuyver]

All File And Print Sharing will have to be disabled. IF u want to "share" anything legal then thats fine, but Thats why the FTP server is up.... So if you require to upload/share a file...

And as i said if its legal then theres no problem.

If we find that you are transfering Files privatly by any means other than the HUGE FTP server avalible, that are legal, You will be warned Once.

If you get caught transfering Illegal files then you will be removed from the event.

The Buck Stops With You the player. I.e its down to you NOT to download it. If someone else is sharing it, then it is NOT an open invitation to download it.

I know this sounds all arsey and high and mighty, but haven spoken to "some" people they seem to think its some kind of joke!

Also if anyone does not have a FTP Client or the MIRC client, the yellow Shirted MPUK Staff will be carrying a CD with a Free Client and Mirc, so that No one has any reason to

a: not have access to patches etc.

b: that they will not miss any touranments. (as the irc will be the mainstay of comunication for players)

[Honkie[USA]]

Oh for the love of god people, use some common sense. Don't flaunt your illegaly copied games, if anyone asks if its legit, which they wont, says its a backup of your original which you like to keep at home, where its safe. What are they going to do, ask you for your proof of purchase? Come on, this legality crap has been brought up numerous times when it shoulden't have even been mentioned.

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If your balls hang and you bang with the gang then tell me how your down with the clown....

[Big Giant Head]

I have to agree with everything that's been said so far (on the anti-warez side)
But can't we transfer files privately at all?
Eg. sending a set of hl maps I've designed to a friend (I wouldn't like the world to see them)
I can understand why you wouldn't want it to happen as it could easily be warez instead.

And what was that about desk space?
I have a 21" monitor
Will it fit?
I can trade it with my mum for a 17" before I come but it would be cool if I could bring it.

[Frostblade]

I always bring my 21" Monitor and it's always been fine. I had to keep it on the corner of the desk at i2 because the table was bending in the middle, but other than that I've had no problems.

Frostblade
ICQ - 15855546

[Idylla]

You table wrecker!

[Wizzo]

The jury is still out regarding what level of file transfers we're going to allow at the event. I expect you'll be able to have password-protected shares for the transfer of stuff like maps, etc. or setup private FTPs, but we need to check out the legal side of this, i.e. that we're not liable if you're caught sending illicit material by these methods. Watch this space http://www.multiplay.org/ubb/smile.gif

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Craig "Wizzo" Fletcher
Multiplay UK

wizzo@multiplay.co.uk
http://www.multiplay.co.uk
ICQ: 3170276

[Rpmansell]

Firstlt id like to say I splelt my damn name wrong when i registered but never mind... On another note..

About File Sharing Privatly
Are you saying if we have some files on our hard drive that are legal , that we will not be able to share them privatly????

About Warez copies of programs - (which I honestly now dont own since i got a new Hd). Its an issue which everyone is aware of - what if you had an original copy of the Cd bought, but a cracked copy so you didnt have to put in the cd. And if so , what if you didnt bring the cd?

If some one "Looked over your shoulder" and saw this what would happen?

[TheGuyver]

Sorry the point i was tring to make was why do u need to do "private" shares?

The map one is a good reason, but there is no reason why you cannot use the FTP server, that way you are not waiting on 20 people to download the map off your machine...

It is also very easy to create an Intranet page that will pickup all the files in the FTP site.. so downloading will be a lot easier.

If ive missed some reasons why private sharing is nessacary, then i appologise and please could you post your reasons.
Thanks

[Say_Ten]

That £65 pound network card you found, the 10/100 with RJ45 and BNC connections. It's listed as a server NIC, I'm not sure if there's a real difference but I do intend to find out...

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With regards,
Say_Ten

[Wizzo]

AFAIK, BNC doesn't work at 100 mbits. It probably could in theory but I've not heard of a 100Base-2 standard or anything similar http://www.multiplay.org/ubb/smile.gif

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Craig "Wizzo" Fletcher
Multiplay UK

wizzo@multiplay.co.uk
http://www.multiplay.co.uk
ICQ: 3170276

[Zenith]

It doesn't Wizzo.

You HAVE to have UTP cat-5 or BETTER cable for 100Mbit network.

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>[SS-04] Zenith
<LI>Captain of Stars to the 4th Strikepack of StarSlayer Tribe
<LI>http://www.starslayer.com
</UL>

[Say_Ten]

Nah, the BNC would run at 10 but at least when connected on RJ 45 socket I'd get a 100 Mb speed. 200 with duplex but could I use that card as a bog standard networking card?

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With regards,
Say_Ten

[SaL|ence]

How can i condemn warez then tell the bloke how to get away with it in one breath.
Well, I was just pointing out that it is risky and a bad bad thing, unless you know what you are doing, I mean my fserve would not still be up if i didnt know how to get away with it
-SaL

[SquireMuldoon]

Salence, I was calling you a hypocrite.
Piracy is wrong, and its wrong to help people get away with it.

[bvark]

Would everyone stop claiming 100mbits FDX is 200mbits!

It's like saying my metro does 90 going forwards and 35 going in reverse so it does 125.

In terms of one-way bandwidth, the fact FDX cards on switched ports won't cause collisions can squeeze about another 5% out of an ethernet, but try finding a full-duplex switch for less than 400 quid.

[TheGuyver]

hehe yeah

100 mbit Half duplex means it`ll do either 100mbit up OR 100mbit Down.

100 mbit Full Duplex means it`ll do a 100 mbit UP AND Down. (i.e at the same time )

note this is max therotical speed. depending on cables, length, Network card, positioning of the sun and/or moon you made not get that much.

100mbit * 1024 / 8 = approx 12.8 mega Bytes a second.

[Wizzo]

We are using 10/100 full duplex switches across the board, with SMC having confirmed support of up to 450+ connections.

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Craig "Wizzo" Fletcher
Multiplay UK

wizzo@multiplay.co.uk
http://www.multiplay.co.uk
ICQ: 3170276