Starting funds

RWingfield · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

Hello,
Does anyone know how to change through the .dat files the amount of money you start with?

rdklein · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:50 am Post subject:

its encrypted.

RWingfield · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

Anyone have the method of getting throught the encyption then? (not my area of expertise)

rdklein · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:39 am Post subject:

This is an attempt to crack my code, dont answer! This is illegal by law.

To get more start money, you need to buy a platinum license.

RWingfield · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

Sorry didn't realise it was illegal. Not very savvy with computer copywriting.

Rhys · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

Hmm...

Changing a piece of software that is the intellectual property of someone else is NOT illegal.

Although it could be argued that someone is avoiding the 4 Euro registration fee by changing the code to give themselves more starting credits, it is HIGHLY unlikely that this would be considered in any country as an illegal act. With a very good lawyer you may be able to sue for 4 euros in damages but there is no way that this would be considered as an illegal or criminal act.

You would have a better chance of suing someone for damages if they released code that directly circumvented your registration process, which in many countries would be considered as "piracy" or "software theft" which IS a crime in some countries.

Sorry if I sound negative - I think POC is brilliant and I have paid for a platinum registration and I guess you guys have the right to be annoyed that so many people played POC on cracked Amiga versions, but please try to avoid saying things like "changing our code is illegal" - this is not true.

Sparky · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Rhys,

Rhys · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

Well, I have worked with IPR in many european countries as well as America and South Africa.

Many authors of public domain software make it a CONDITION of their public domain license that it cannot be distributed in modified form and thus would be able to take a civil action against any persons who break that condition but this is still NOT ILLEGAL.

Something ILLEGAL is a criminal act that the country/state would prosecute a person for commiting.

I can assure you that in Germany a person who modified the code of POC simply for their own entertainment would not be commiting a criminal act.

You would be able to take a civil action against that person (i.e. sue them for breach of contract) but to say that it is "Illegal by law" is wrong.

Sparky · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

OK - I see your point ...

Rhys · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

But anyway, I shouldn't have said anything, because I love your software and think you guys are very talented.

So please let me apologise for beoing so grumpy, perhaps I did not have enough beer at the weekend Laughing

I hope people will continue to support you by registring the product, I believe that paying for something you enjoy is very important so that it encourages people to keep doing more great stuff.

Good luck and keep developing this great game!

(by the way, I am registered platinum, but it will not show on my profile for some reason - I entered the serial number from the email that you sent)

rdklein · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

you need to enter the special code, which is displayed when you click on "license " on the main screen of pocxxl.

St.Paddy · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

Hi I am the same as Rhys - can't get my platinum licence to display.

Have tried what you suggest RDK but it didn't work for me

Tim

Rhys · PoC Visitor Unlicensed Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

Ah, ok, I will try later, I haven't tried the XXL yet, I'm having too much fun with classic.