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View Full Version : I don't know what I've done but I feel like I should tell someone.


AndrewTaylor
21 Mar 2007, 18:42
Since i have been temp banned and can't contact thomasp. I will send you this and you can forward it to him. Since the UK also has laws againts racism and the game as a racist flag the game should therefore be band and soon will. I do not know if you remember a game called Mortyr which is a Nazi theme based game it was BAND. Doing so to this game would not be hard. Thank you for your time.
I'm quite proud of what I did next. Normally I just accept things people say and try to counter them, but recently I've taken to actually checking them, and I'm finding an alarming number of them turn out to be lies.
It isn't possible for a flag to be inherently racist (except perhapsthe old South Park flag). Mortyr is something of a special case. It was banned IN GERMANY for containing Swastikas (and in Greece as part of the blanket ban on all games). The Nazi symbol has been illegal in Germany since the end of WWII, and has only recently been allowed to be reproduced, and then on the condition that its use is unambiguously anti-Nazi. W:A does not include a swastika flag and so would not fall under the same ban. Interestingly, I believe games featuring violence against humans are also illegal in Germany, so Worms is one of few games that ARE allowed there.

The UK has laws against racial hate crime and racial discrimination, but to my knowledge there are no laws here or anywhere else against reproducing symbols used by racist groups other than the Nazis -- heck, we allow the BNP to run for government -- so given that you can't spell the word "banned" (which is probably going to become very ironic very fast), I'm going to have to ignore your legal advice for the time being. And I'm not going to waste Thomas' time by bothering him with this nonsense either.

Now be honest:

Are you Jack Thompson?

No I am not Jack Thompson. Mortyr was banned from almost every country with racism laws. The Rebel flag is also in the same classification and can only be used in educational things and in the privacy of your own home. Since in this case none off those apply, therefore making the game illegal. And as far as legal advice just mentioning Torrents, there is no difference between that and saying p2p because they have the same concept. I did not mention how to use them, where to get them or anything else about it. I also mention that you should check in your country to see if it legal and that you need proof that you originally bought the software such as a reciet. Now if I gave links and/or saying how to use them or names of the programs, then I would accept the infraction points, but since this is also not the case I therefore did not violate any forum rules.

He seems pretty sure of this Mortyr stuff, so I decided to do a bit more checking.

I can't find a single report of Mortyr being banned anywhere other than Greece and Germany -- look, here it is for sale on Amazon http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-7217543-7850465?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mortyr&Go.x=0&Go.y=0 and here's the sequel on play.com http://play.com/Games/PC/4-/509438/-/Product.html?searchstring=mortyr&searchsource=0 -- so if you can, please send me a link. But even if it was, it's hardly comparable to having the confederate flag in W:A, is it?

I assume that's the "rebel flag" you mean? rebel.bmp? The Confederacy's flag from the American civil war? The one that's still part of Mississippi's state flag? It's controversial, but I don't think anyone would ever even try to ban a game for featuring it, especially as an entirely incidental option you don't have to ever see. Especially a decade old game. I'm pretty sure I've seen cartoons with that flag in them. I'm not sure how else I'd have recognised it.

And the fact is that the phrase "no you can download a wa.iso off of a torrent" is discussing illegally obtaining free copies of W:A and that is against the forum rules -- common sense should tell you Team17 wouldn't like you discussing that -- and, if you choose to download such a file, it is also against international copyright law, no matter what misinformation you may have read on warez sites about it being legal if you own the game or it being legal if you delete it within 48 hours. The fact that you could, theoretically, have provided fuller instructions is utterly irrelevant. You told people -- you told a MODERATOR -- how to illegaly obtain W:A for free. That's is not acceptable. You'd have to be insane to think it was acceptable!

If there's a problem, your best bet for sorting it out is simply to wait it out. I don't think me or Thomas have the ability to revoke infractions (if we do I don't know how and can't be bothered to learn), and Team17 are between webmasters at the moment and I doubt the main network administrator has the time to be chasing up petty complaints from annoying forummers. The fact is that you can still post and there are only about three weeks left on those infraction points anyway, after which they will simply vanish and you'll have full posting rights again. (Well, provided you don't clock up any more in the meantime.)

Just let it go.

Andrew
Watch out, subject, you're in for a total changing!
You still never ansered the question about what's the difference between p2p and torrents. they both have the same concept and also p2p is more widely known. so y is it ok for one and not the other.

It's not okay for you to talk about either. Sometimes people discuss one or the other and nobody cares; it's a fairly informal system and sometimes the mods don't notice or decide not to bother with infraction points or whatever, and of course it depends on context. If someone's describing a new way they'd like online play to operate and they use P2P as an example of a clever system or something then obviously that's fine, so there's a certain amount of flexibility. But discussion of either in the context of downloading Team17's games is wrong.

If you've been discussing downloading Worms from P2P networks then please send me a link so I can give you some infraction points for that as well.

I didn't say worms nor T17 i just said software

"Software" includes Worms.

well you can download worms off of p2p also just like anything else so like i said whats the difference. nothing

Alright, look, you've totally lost me now.

So what I'm going to do is, instead of attempting to respond directly to your point (because I don't know what it is and suspect it doesn't exist), is simply to explain the rules as I understand them and then you can tell me which part of them you think you have been unfaily accused of breaking. Okay? I'll number them so that we can refer to the list later, but the numbers are just something for this email and aren't official.

1. Do not insult other members.
2. Donot double post
3. Do ot swear of try to circumvent the word filter.
4. Do not post adverts.
5. Do not Post Details Regarding Hacking/Cracking Games

(Those are different categories of infractions you can get, so they're as official asit gets.) I think any talk of downloading Worms (aside from TryMedia versions) is assumed to fall under the remit of Rule Five and tends to be deleted and/or infracted.

6. Team17 can do what they like.

Rule six is a bit of a wildcard rule.

1. Do not insult other members.

hmmm people have against me on the forums and nothing happened to them, but anyways all evidence has been submitted to the authorities and legal action against T17.

29627

hmmm people have against me on the forums and nothing happened to them, but

Yes, well, after all that stuff abpout WACE that failed to materialise and after you threatening to have WA banned and after this lengthy debale are you really that surprised?

anyways all evidence has been submitted to the authorities and legal action against T17.

What? What evidence? What authorities?

Is this about your being given some infraction points on a privately run internet forum or is this your campaign to have a decade-old game banned because of one 240 pixel image that you have decided to object to, despite the fact that you previously appeared to like this game enough to produce a third-party patch for it?

I mean, I notice that you've apparently chosen not to answer my question. I simply asked you what your grievance is, so that I could better try to address it, and instead you have made vague allusions to legal action which I presume will also fail to materialise.

I think you're trying to waste my time.

Stop it. If you email me again, you'd damn well better say something.

Andrew

So er, yeah. If you guys get sued then that might kinda be my fault. Though I have no idea how or why or what I did.

thomasp
21 Mar 2007, 18:58
Tell trippenz to start digging upwards :p

Ta for handling that - you did a much better job of it than I would have :) Now, you should live up to your other "promise" of blogging them!


I also liked how he totally forgot what he posted that warranted the infraction points in the first place.

MrBunsy
21 Mar 2007, 19:05
That guy makes me laugh, we need people like him just to keep things interesting at their own expense.

Lex
21 Mar 2007, 19:08
I am not sure. If anyone gets sued, Trippenz won't win. No worries. Besides, wtf. Just wtf. Trippenz is absurd.

FutureWorm
21 Mar 2007, 19:12
I only wish you had carried on this conversation in public rather than via private message.

Ah well, it's great either way. Will you be posting this on ApathySketchpad, then?

SupSuper
21 Mar 2007, 19:14
...so, Team17 is getting sued over a confederate flag on torrents now? :p

thomasp
21 Mar 2007, 19:20
I only wish you had carried on this conversation in public rather than via private message.

Ah well, it's great either way. Will you be posting this on ApathySketchpad, then?
Not PM, since Being Watched users can't use private messaging. Nor can they create new threads.

FutureWorm
21 Mar 2007, 19:22
Not PM, since Being Watched users can't use private messaging. Nor can they create new threads.
Okay, e-mail then. It's mostly wishful thinking; obviously he couldn't make an actual thread about it.

Squirminator2k
21 Mar 2007, 19:24
Oh, this is delicious.

thomasp
21 Mar 2007, 19:30
Luckily, the original post that I gave him the 10 point infraction is copied into the Moderation forum - not only does trippenz state the name of a game (which just happens to be a Team17 game), he states where it can be downloaded from (a place beginning with and ending with a 't') and then briefly explains how to get it working "like an original copy" - then he justifies his post with loads of legal mumbo jumbo: "but like i said you have to check to see if its legal to do so in your country. like I said also that you need some sort of proof that you have owned the game such as a reciet [sic]."

He seems to have totally forgotten posting that in the earlier e-mails


Obviously, I'm not going to quote the original post, because then I'd get infraction points :p

Xinos
21 Mar 2007, 19:52
Andrew, I think you should have realised after the second or third reply that he is incapable of understanding what you write and just given up. At least I wouldn't have the patience to continue like you did. More fun to carry it through though I suppose.

And if it's not illigial to put such flags in the game in the first place there is no way he could win such a case. If he even could figure out HOW to sue.

thomasp
21 Mar 2007, 19:54
I actually think he wants to sue Team17 for removing a post from their own forum and then restricting his access.

Unfortunately, his profile doesn't give a real location, but I bet he's american (no offence to any Americans here!)

FutureWorm
21 Mar 2007, 20:04
Luckily, the original post that I gave him the 10 point infraction is copied into the Moderation forum - not only does trippenz state the name of a game (which just happens to be a Team17 game), he states where it can be downloaded from (a place beginning with and ending with a 't') and then briefly explains how to get it working "like an original copy" - then he justifies his post with loads of legal mumbo jumbo: "but like i said you have to check to see if its legal to do so in your country. like I said also that you need some sort of proof that you have owned the game such as a reciet [sic]."
Oh man, that's hilarious. He should have just gone all out and posted a 1000-word disclaimer after his instructions.

Obviously, I'm not going to quote the original post, because then I'd get infraction points :p

I know you're joking, but I think there's a difference between responsible discussion of BitTorrent here and stupid discussion of it outside of OD. Most of the rules are lax enough as is (circumenting the swearing filter, for instance, isn't a big deal here), and I can't imagine that anyone would get infracted for mentioning a BitTorrent website or something.

Besides, it would show up in the log of watches; aren't those publically visible?
Unfortunately, his profile doesn't give a real location, but I bet he's american (no offence to any Americans here!)
What makes you think that? Just curious.

Xinos
21 Mar 2007, 20:10
Blizzard distributes WoW patches via BitTorrent. Am I allowed to discuss that? :p

Pigbuster
21 Mar 2007, 20:56
HAHAHA oh god.

It's just a case of internet "I WILL SUE YOO LOL".

I wonder if he realized that they recently released a Dukes of Hazzard movie, and they had a confederate flag decal on the car.

Confederate flags aren't illegal. It can get some complaints, but it isn't illegal.

thomasp
21 Mar 2007, 21:14
I know you're joking, but I think there's a difference between responsible discussion of BitTorrent here and stupid discussion of it outside of OD. Most of the rules are lax enough as is (circumenting the swearing filter, for instance, isn't a big deal here), and I can't imagine that anyone would get infracted for mentioning a BitTorrent website or something.

He didn't actually post a link - he just said to donwload it off a torrent.

And I'm still not going to post what he said.

Besides, it would show up in the log of watches; aren't those publically visible?

No - only to user mods (if done via the infraction system), regular mods and admins (via admin CP if done otherwise)

What makes you think that [trippenz is from America]? Just curious.

Because he wants to sue everything. For no real reason.

AndrewTaylor
21 Mar 2007, 21:24
I just got this email:
Many have even admitted that doing something like WACE takes time, so y would I release it to the public while it's still in the works. I pm Deadcode and offered to send him what's all been done, but yet to my surprise he never once replied nor said anything on the Forums about it. Cybershadow offered to help with WA CE, but since word got out that I was making CE on the forums a lot of people including him said that its impossible. So I turned him down, but since time as gone by me and CS have been getting along pretty good over msn most likely I will take him up on his offer and send him a copy.

As far as evidence and authorities go that is none of you concern.

I'm debating whether to reply with "Yeah, I don't think that's any of anyone's concern".

Obviously, I'm not going to quote the original post, because then I'd get infraction points :p

Oh, it's much better than that: we can't get infraction points. Try it. Infract me. Go on.

(I confidently expect volcadmin to rise out of the shadows just to stick some points on my profile for being cocky now, but whatever.)

thomasp
21 Mar 2007, 21:30
I'm debating whether to reply with "Yeah, I don't think that's any of anyone's concern".

Or make out that you're a law student or qualified lawyer and explain that he doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. Or at least try and get him to give more information about why he's suing T17

Oh, it's much better than that: we can't get infraction points. Try it. Infract me. Go on.

Ah, how cunning. Then why doesn't the infraction icon disappear???

(I confidently expect volcadmin to rise out of the shadows just to stick some points on my profile for being cocky now, but whatever.)

Nah, that's more of a Luther-type thing ;) Maybe Spadge.


*runs*

Pickleworm
21 Mar 2007, 22:20
Blizzard distributes WoW patches via BitTorrent. Am I allowed to discuss that? :p

No. As stated in the thread, even the MENTION of the word B*ttorrent is ban-worthy.

Star Worms
21 Mar 2007, 22:25
Hahaha, priceless. It won't even get past a lawyer.

AndrewTaylor
21 Mar 2007, 22:26
Who are we kidding? It won't get to a lawyer.

Edit: But yeah, if an awkward looking eleven year old turns up at T17HQ unexpectedly one afternoon and hands you a napkin with illegible crayon scrawlings all over it you should probably consider yourselves served.

philby4000
21 Mar 2007, 22:33
Wow.

just wow.

Or make out that you're a law student or qualified lawyer and explain that he doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. Or at least try and get him to give more information about why he's suing T17

I get the impression that he's trying to sue whoever he thinks insulted him on this forum, on the grounds that they broke the first rule Andrew mentioned.

Obviously his faith in the infractuion point system has been shaken to such a degree that he feels that he must take matters into his own hands.:-/

AndrewTaylor
21 Mar 2007, 22:34
I get the impression that he's trying to sue whoever he thinks insulted him on this forum, on the grounds that they broke the first rule Andrew mentioned.

Oh, I do hope so. The classic defence against libel being what it is.

(I.e., proving the statement was true.)

MonkeyforaHead
22 Mar 2007, 07:10
Unfortunately, his profile doesn't give a real location, but I bet he's american (no offence to any Americans here!)

I can honestly say that Canadians have equal potential for online idiocy. I'd guess that just about any country with easy internet access probably does. Idle hands are the devil's playthings.

And you know, your inquiry as to whether this fellow is actually Jack Thompson seems more and more justified the more I read this.

SargeMcCluck
22 Mar 2007, 07:38
Can't you trace his IP to find out where he's from and settle this argument? Plus, I want to know!

thomasp
22 Mar 2007, 08:45
Can't you trace his IP to find out where he's from and settle this argument? Plus, I want to know!
User mods don't get access to IP checks :(

Would be quite useful if we did tho'

MtlAngelus
22 Mar 2007, 08:59
Who are we kidding? It won't get to a lawyer.

What, no, it has to. Just so that the lawyer can laugh in his face. D:

Glenn
22 Mar 2007, 14:35
Ban him on the grounds of violating rules 1 and 5 via PM.

What? I want to see what would happen.:rolleyes:

And yes, he's from the US. It's the only place in the world I know of where idiocy could be cultivated and nurtured to such an art form.:rolleyes:

Luther
22 Mar 2007, 15:17
The confederate battle flag is not illegal in the US. He's talking nonsense.

Interestingly this is not the first accusation of racism I'm seen leveled at Worms. A poster on the IGN forum once asserted that the game was racist because the worms were pink. Who knows, maybe it's the same guy!

Team17 have the right to ban whoever they please from their own forum. We even ban ourselves occasionaly, so there is no discrimination.

Nice thread AT. Made me laugh.

M3ntal
23 Mar 2007, 11:31
Would it be out of line to change my avatar into a confederate flag, with the caption "sue me trippenz"?

bonz
23 Mar 2007, 12:17
Would it be out of line to change my avatar into a confederate flag, with the caption "sue me trippenz"?
Hehehe! :D I like that!
I actually think we should switch from the current "I'm a Mac" avatar fad to a new one, but everyone uses the same rebel flag avatar with "sue me trippenz" on it.

bonz
23 Mar 2007, 23:57
http://forum.team17.co.uk/showthread.php?p=570017#post570017

AndrewTaylor
24 Mar 2007, 00:08
Hehehe! :D I like that!
I actually think we should switch from the current "I'm a Mac" avatar fad to a new one, but everyone uses the same rebel flag avatar with "sue me trippenz" on it.

I certainly won't stoop to that level, so instead I've reverted to an old Lemmings Versus Worms avatar.

bonz
24 Mar 2007, 01:17
I certainly won't stoop to that level, so instead I've reverted to an old Lemmings Versus Worms avatar.
Oh! Very nice and much more subtle.

AndrewTaylor
25 Mar 2007, 00:45
You know, since he got those infraction points, he's not posted. This is a whole new method of forum administration: make users think they're banned...

thomasp
25 Mar 2007, 11:40
If he thinks he's been banned, that's his own stupid fault. All he has to do is post in a non-locked thread :p

He probably tried creating threads and failed, after we kind of locked all of his other threads...

Run
25 Mar 2007, 12:07
I certainly won't stoop to that level, so instead I've reverted to an old Lemmings Versus Worms avatar.


http://www.nanacide.com/images/SA_Run/seewhatyoudid.jpg