Subject:
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Re: Lego Good, SONY BAD!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Fri, 2 Nov 2001 21:25:11 GMT
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Original-From:
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Chris 'Xenon' Hanson <(xenon@3)AvoidSpam(dnature.com)>
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Reply-To:
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XENON@3nospamDNATURE.COM
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Viewed:
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602 times
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One key difference is that most (all?) Mindstorm third-party software does
not include _any_ intellectual property of TLG, but is a complete rewrite of
something. The Aibo mods mentioned are patched versions of Sony-owned Aibo
code. This is apparently the only practical way to make Aibo mods, as it is
not feasible to rewrite all of Aibo from scratch, and it may even be more illegal
for one to create programs that alter (patch) an Aibo's code, as to do so
requires breaking the Aibo's encrypted protection, which is also prohibited
by DMCA.
I can see Sony's point that they're upset that someone is distributing
modified version of their code and IP, but that someone is not doing them
any harm (quite the opposite) and Sony has made it difficult for anyone to
follow the routes available to Lego hackers (of either distributing completely
clean reimplementations or at least of providing cleanly redistributable 'patches')
so I think they ought to consider being more accommodating of their loyal users
and find a way to make these activities legal, since they obviously benefit
Aibo owners and Sony alike.
And anyway, you can't run Aibo code without an Aibo and Aibo expansion sticks,
so I wonder who Sony thinks is benefiting from this piracy and violation of IP
anyway? ;)
spitz wrote:
> An article in the LA times mentions the Lego company stance on Mindstorms fan
> software development, as a counterpoint to the Sony stance. Sony is cracking
> down on fans' who modify or make competing development environments for its
> robotic dog, Aibo. As we all know, Lego has taken the opposite view,
> encouraging fans to make their own Mindstorms environments (as long as they
> follow the fair play guidelines).
>
> Story at:
> http://www.latimes.com/business/la-000086726nov01.story
>
> excerpts:
> "Sony Corp. is using a controversial U.S. law aimed at protecting intellectual
> property to pull the plug on a Web site that helps owners of Aibo, Sony's
> popular and pricey robotic pet, teach their electronic dogs new tricks."
>
> "Last week, Sony executives sent a letter to the operator of a Web site, http://
> www.aibohack.com, alleging that much of the site's contents-programs and
> software tools that can modify the Aibo's behavior--was created and distributed
> in ways that violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act."
>
> "MindStorms, as the kit is called, offers users the ability to add motors and an
> onboard computer to control the creation's behavior. Almost as soon as the toy
> was introduced, enthusiasts rewrote the software to allow for more complex
> operation. After much consideration, Lego decided to endorse such hacking,
> provided that nobody turns their software into a commercial product and that
> Lego trademarks aren't used."
>
> -Alfred
>
>
Chris - Xenon
--
Chris Hanson | Xenon@3DNature.com | I've got friends in low latitudes!
New WCS 5 Demo Version! http://www.3DNature.com/demo/
"There is no Truth. There is only Perception. To Perceive is to Exist." - Xen
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Lego Good, SONY BAD!
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| (...) There may also be a practical reason for objecting too. Lego is *designed* for people to pull apart, put together different ways - to stall motors, short-circuit outputs and otherwise abuse. However, the Aibo could conceivably be damaged by (...) (23 years ago, 2-Nov-01, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Lego Good, SONY BAD!
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| An article in the LA times mentions the Lego company stance on Mindstorms fan software development, as a counterpoint to the Sony stance. Sony is cracking down on fans' who modify or make competing development environments for its robotic dog, Aibo. (...) (23 years ago, 2-Nov-01, to lugnet.mediawatch, lugnet.robotics)
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