Square Can't Use any of your ideas. Legally. Why do they ask for our advise?

[Neversleeps]

General ideas for game mechanics vs the ideas for a movie or a plot for a game (where we start getting into Intellectual Property Law) are slightly different, Mog.

The person who submitted their idea to Square probably involved certain FF characters, a plot, etc. We're just giving general feedback (such as ideas to improve game playability, enjoyment, etc...) that doesn't necessarily jump into the purview of IP Law. Basically, we're not really creating the story or plot behind FFXIV. I suspect the person involved in that letter was, though not necessarily about XIV itself.

There's probably a better way to phrase this, but as I am not really an expert on Intellectual Property, that is pretty much the best way I can explain it.

[Coombah]

Well from DEV posts it shows they have recieved ideas and plan to use some of the ones they like.

[DoctorMog]

Well from DEV posts it shows they have recieved ideas and plan to use some of the ones they like.

This is what I was thinking about.

[Tsukino]

They can use our wishes in general to shape the game to something we want to play, as a service and not as intellectual property. They're not using one specific person's ideas, but the general consensus on what people want in the game to form their own decisions. That's how it works.

The people who post things like "this is exactly how the job system should work and here's what every job gets at each new level" are the kinds of things that get ignored. But when 100 people say they want classes to have more definition, that kind of general stuff they can use.

[Xaimera]

well tbh i feel like all of us are test drivers lol or product testers. Though i realize that shouldve prolly been happening more when beta was out. But i dont mind us giving them input at all, MMORPGs change all the time it grows, and keeps developing for ages, I'm glad they listen to us.

[origamikitsune]

Just read the terms of service and the forum rules. The forums are subject to the terms of service outlined for the game in addition to a few other prohibited activities. The key point being SE owns all material related to the game, including any written communication used on their services. So yes, you could outline something very specific, and they could use it exactly, and it would be legal.

[Geesus]

Well from DEV posts it shows they have recieved ideas and plan to use some of the ones they like.

This is what I was thinking about.

Right and it seems logical but no one person is giving an idea(s) and they aren't getting this info randomly. When someone asks you for assistance or w/e it happens to be and you "freely" *key word there being free* you can't turn around and expect or request monetary or other compensation. They asked, we gave end of story.

The moment we do or anyone does... I would bet SE would shut down those Devs sections and the progression of what we would like in Eorzea will slow or end completely. Maybe not...enough info is here. lol We are all currently live Beta testers and I for one don't care. it's been fun since I came back, though a tad lonely. But overall, this game might just pull it out and be another great MMORPG such as XI and i will play it for as long.

[Geesus]

Just read the terms of service and the forum rules. The forums are subject to the terms of service outlined for the game in addition to a few other prohibited activities. The key point being SE owns all material related to the game, including any written communication used on their services. So yes, you could outline something very specific, and they could use it exactly, and it would be legal.

Then there is this. ^ haha

[Delsus]

I would also say its because they asked us for feedback while they own all the copyrights to the games, I could write a script, copyright it without mentioning its copyrighted and if SE use it I could sue them for stealing copyrighted material. Suggestons on a forum, especially when specificly asked by the devs cannot be copyrighted so anyone can use it.

[Nuru]

This is why the forums have a separate sign-up than the game and square enix account. Secondly, this was in 2001, why should it be relevant 10 years later? I'm sure things change over the span of 10 years.