Well as emu expert i know how complicated this discussion is for some people... i will make it verry clear here...
1st part: Ascent Code/program and the development of it
ascent does not copy any of blizzards code or what so ever so dont talk about DMCA and reverse engineering cuz this has nothing to do with it!
why?
Ascent on its own (without DB, DBC, Maps) works also and does NOT use any stuff created by blizz or does not steal any of blizz codes, its fully custom made program!
well this part was for the ascent CORE/CODE ONLY so i did not talk about the use of it yet !
As for this part the following is clear:
-> Ascent code/program = legal
-> Ascent development = legal
2nd part: Use of ascent
This part gets more complicated but is also verry easy to understand!
-> When you use ascent for a public server you are doing illegal stuff!
why? you are hosting stuff that blizzard owns (copyright etc)
What stuff? the DB, DBC, map files are illegal now cuz you use them public wich makes you host blizzard content!
-> When you are using ascent for private use there are 2 things to know
--> using ascent with DBC,map,DB when you bought the game client is legal!
Why? Becuz since you bought the client you have the right to take it appart (dbc, map extracting and use of models and other client stuff with DB) You are not hosting blizz content and by law you are allowed to play a game in anyway you like... you are not stealing stuff from blizz cuz you bought it!
NOTE: letting friends play on LAN makes it illegal again !
--> using ascent with a illegal copy of wow (warez) is illegal!
why? you are now violating a lot of copyrights, hosting rights etc etc! (read the answer on previous why? question and take the opposite of it
Extra
ever noticed when you send blizzard questions about getting a emulator for private use? or if you ask about private servers....
They always say stuff like:
-> if you play/use private servers you are violating our terms!
> they can only ban you from blizzard for that
-> Private servers can steal your wow account! they can install keyloggers blablabla
> scaring you so you wont use the ascent or whatever
there are probably much more stuff like this... but NEVER they clearly mention that private servers are illegal
for example here is a email i found on other forums:
-----Original Message-----
From: ******@******.com
To: [email protected]
Sent: 11/14/2007 10:55:45 AM
Subject: Support - World of Warcraft - Other
Name: Stupidfool
Email: ******@*****.com
Region: United States
Account Information -----------------------
Account Name: n/a
Character Name:
Realm: *Unknown
System Information ------------------------
System IP: 198.108.189.2
System ISP:
System Cpu Model: PC AMD Athlon XP
System Cpu Speed: 2200+
System Operating System: Windows XP Service Pack 2
System Ram: 1024+MB
System Sound Card: Other
System Video Card: ATI Radeon x800
Request ------------------------------------
Product: World of Warcraft
Category: Other
Description:
I was interested in ascentemu.com emulator, that creates a World of warcraft private server. im unsure if i was to install one of these servers would it abide to your leagle agreement?
and the reply:
Stupidfool,
These emulators are not only against the Terms of Use and Toerms of Service, they can actually install keyloggers onto your system and steal you WoW information and get yout account permanently banned, not to mention the havic they can pull on your personal indentity. I would suggest contacting out Hack Team at [email protected] . I hope this answers your questions.
If you have any further technical questions or problems, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Regards,
Dan M.
Blizzard Entertainment Technical Support
Customer satisfaction is a top priority here at Blizzard Entertainment, and we would like your feedback on the level of service you have received. Please feel free to provide such feedback at the following web address: <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/support/survey.xml?...****@******.com" target="_blank">http://us.blizzard.com/support/survey.xml?...****@******.com</a>
this could be fake tough... but well all the other stuff are facts and real
Now we conclude simply:
-> Ascent code/development = legal
-> public use of ascent is illegal
-> private use of ascent with a illegal copy of wow is illegal!
-> private use of ascent with a legal copy of wow is legal
i even added green and red color for good and bad lol
I hope this cleared up some messed up minds, discussions, ...
This discussion is on so much emu forums and it is useless cuz things are clear!
grtz