yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] ogami_ito:
I'm a board-game publisher, not a lawyer. I have talked to lawyers about IP issues. Funny thing is, the IP of game rules become more protected when they are put into a software design rather than on paper. BUT, the fact that this game supposedly takes place on an Island lending a "Story" to the game is... ridiculous.

"place the game on an island and have the players trade for goods to built settlements etc., the game rules are manifested in a certain virtual environment. Courts then say that the game rules have received a fable. This fable is copyrightable and of course our client has the copyright and all rights deriving from that. It doesn’t matter if you use the exact wording of the rulebook or not, the fable you use is the same as our client’s fable. You infringe the copyright."

I don't know where you live, but I'm pretty sure this does not hold water in US courts. If it did, then Catan would have legal standing against many games, including Warcraft and other RTS games.

Also, by this lawyer's own reasoning, the fable is about players on an island trading for resources. Now you just call the game "Highlands of Bakayama, and change the sea into deserts.
[Android Apps and Games] berkley:
... here you go! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] brack11:
sad, very sad, hate those copyright issues. Catan should make something for android first, and then speak about rights. In fact you are doing great service for catan by popularization of their game in android community.
[Android Apps and Games] ogami_ito:
FYI, I saw the board game and wanted to play it, but have no one to play with. So I downloaded this game and played it for the last month. But now I don't think I need to buy the game...because of the actions of the company.
[Android Apps and Games] polstein:
Not to defend the company, but I seem to remember reading of similar stories with other games. A lot comes down to protecting the IP. If they knew about this game, and did nothing about protecting their IP, then it would be the same as giving up their copyrights for the game.

I need to go look up the laws on it, but basically once they know about the game, it's cease & desist or lose rights to their IP.

(and somehow I don't think they're about to grant anyone rights to go ahead and create a version of their game)

And now we all suffer - no version of Catan & they won't get off their butts & make one themselves.
[Android Apps and Games] closedchannel:
Game is/was great thanks for posting the apk!!!
[Android Apps and Games] CaptInane:
What a shame.

I too considered buying the full board game, I actually had it in my shopping cart ready to order, but I hasn't placed it yet. By chance I saw the post about Island being shut down and that gave me second thoughts. I doubt I'll buy it now. People who love board games, like myself, will buy them because we like to get together with friends and play. Playing on a phone is not the same experience. They should have commended the author for bringing there game more to the public eye (even my not so geeky friends thought it sounded fun) instead of threatening him with legal action.

I hope you can change their story our whatever it was they called it enough so we can keep enjoying your hard work. I don't know if you changed the setting if that would be enough to get then off your back, but how about some portal in space. Trade points are dimensional gates or something like that. I really am not bothered by details like that. But good job and good luck to you, sir.
[Android Apps and Games] netrunner7:
linux version

there exists already a linux versione called pioneers, here the link. Maybe it is possibile to continue the game as a new app that is the "Pioneers for android" ?

maybe ?

the netrunner / Mike
[Android Apps and Games] brack11:
+1
[Android Apps and Games] Juzzyqld@gmail.com:
This is what i sent to them. I hope they drop this stupidity

Dear Catan,

I recently heard that you took Threatened to take Legal action against these two developers who both made FATASTIC games and probley opened up YOUR game to a whole new market. Instead of taking Legal action i beg of you to take these guys on board and create a game for android with them!!!

Obviously these guys like myself have the real game at home and love the game. why would they create the game otherwise? no one goes out of thier way and spends months in development simply just to breach copyright.

Are Catan going to release an official vApp of the game? or just looking for a fight? If your not going to release your own App, then why pick on some dedicated fans of your game with a clear passion to share this game with everyone!?

i also own Carcassonne. another great game.

but due to your companys behaviour and lack of realisation of the potential customers these games created. I will now think twice before buying ANY of your games and just get something else. Futhermore i will tell everyone i know not to buy your games

By the way your online game has nothing of the games created by these two wonderful Developers.

it has annoying sounds, annoying AI, and the in game graphics communicate to the user that you don't care about the quality of the game and the copyright and furthermore looks and plays like crap .

So no wonder someone created a better one.

From another one of your fans gone,

Justin Sturdee
[Android Apps and Games] Penguissimo:
This is a common misconception based on confusion of copyright and trademark, at least in the US.

What you say is true of trademark, which is a name/logo/symbol/other identifying mark of a brand. Trademarks must be defended lest their owners lose their rights to exclusive use; if the owner does not defend the trademark, it becomes a generic term. See Xerox, Kleenex, etc...

Copyright is applied for a specific, fixed term. Any creative work is automatically copyrighted upon creation (no registration is necessary), although registering it does make defence of the copyright easier later on. Regardless of whether the author defends it in any given case, full ownership still rests with them until/unless they sell, trade, license, or otherwise reassign the copyright. Catan could easily have ignored this one (and the next ten) and it would have had no legal bearing on their ability to defend their copyright in the future. This smells a bit more like a company acting like dickheads just because that's what everyone else does these days.

The guy who pointed out that their claiming of a copyright on the "story" created by the game is weak sauce has a great point. I wonder if that's a concept in German copyright law (with no parallel in US law), or if it's just a bad excuse to throw their weight around.

You're unfortunately dead right about this part though :(
[Android Apps and Games] schiff81:
Hey,

I think the lawyer just wanted to scare you. He only tells crap! There are plenty of catan-clones in the net like pioneers, sea3d an some other. These programs have the same rules, the programs are still online.

It's like filesharing in germay, the lawyer just write lots of letters to scare but it never comes to hearings.

Island Settlers is a great game and it shoudn't go offline!
[Android Apps and Games] Zoon0n:
berkley, a million thanks to you for uploading the latest apk! I had updated the the latest, loved it, but switched roms and forgot to do a backup - I've been itching to update for a week and I'm so happy I found your post!

theeil, I'm so sorry about the whole situation, but know this: you did a kicka** job with this game, I seriously play upwards of 15 times a day, it's by far the most used and most loved game on my phone <3
[Android Apps and Games] polstein:
Around here, I think most people use copyright, trademark & other terms to all mean the same thing. I sure don't have a clear grasp of the differences (but doesn't really apply to me anyway). I wonder how it works on a worldwide level like you mention, like when a copyright/trademark in one country conflicts with another. Is there some sort of worldwide office to settle disputes?

--

Agreed, no version for quite a while. I actually d/led this early on & kept updating, but haven't gotten around to playing (I never played the board version either). Is the final version playable or should I not waste my time?
[Android Apps and Games] XlAfbk:
Knowing a bit or two about german Urheberrecht laws (≈ german version of copyright) the following should apply:

The term "Die Siedler von Catan" and the box design are registered trademarks. The design registration (=! trademark) for the board design expired in 2003.

Thus you should be safe if you do not use "Catan" anywhere in the name or description of the game. As just "Settlers" is often used when talking about the game and most people will associate Settlers of Catan with that term you shouldn't use just that term either. But in connection with another term, in this case "Island Settlers", the likelihood of confusion should be pretty low and thus the use is ok.

The lawyers statement about using the island theme is imho wrong as their design registration already expired and you should be free to use the design.

If there's a design registration for this that I didn't find (you'll have to check your countries register but for Germany, the origin of the game, there's no other registration) you'd still be on the safe side if you themed the game differently while keeping the gameplay, eg use a space station as setting and uranium instead of wood. But you should really contact that lawyer about the expired design register and tell him that according to this you should be allowed to use the theming.

If you need any help with communicating with the lawyers feel free to send me a pm, after all it can be quite hard to understand a different countries laws and communicate about those in a tertiary language.
[Android Apps and Games] mle86:
I don't know about the German Urheberrecht (I'm Swiss), but be careful with the space theme, there is already a space themed game by Catan, called Sternenfahrer von Catan / Starfarers of Catan.
[Android Apps and Games] XlAfbk:
Didn't know about that game, if it exists you should of course not use that theme. I just picked some random theme quite different from the settlers one.
[Android Apps and Games] Vanquish46:
Don't you see? The makers of Catan simply need to make a game in every imaginable setting and then troll small developers who try to make similar games!

Sarcasm aside I think you bring up a good point. One can't possibly copyright gameplay mechanics so a setting change is all that is needed.
[Android Apps and Games] combatdan:
Keep your chin up!

Wow, that sucks. I just got back after the holidays, and was confused as to why the update wasn't working. I am SO glad I didn't go with my instinct and uninstall it. Really sorry man.

Had I been the Catan CEO I would have offered you a job!
[Android Apps and Games] brack11:
Whatever we say here, the great and unique game has gone. Let's hope that the author do something similar with different name and story...
[Android Apps and Games] robinsonj:
Oh No!!!

I just flashed my phone and Titanium can't find the backup files!

I used Island Settlers to teach my daughter to play Catan... as soon as she was winning consistently against the AI she started playing with us... now I've lost it and can't re-download?

I'm very sorry to hear that development has been discontinued... no "grandfather clause" so I can get back the last version?

Always enjoyed the chance to kill a bit of time with a game.
[Android Apps and Games] berkley:
Just go a few sites back or click the link... ;)

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=10075552&postcount=97
[Android Apps and Games] theeil:
Thanks for the continued everyone!

While I don't agree with the lawyer in many respects, I'm kind of powerless here. If he threatens to sue, regardless of who's really right, I created this as a hobby and haven't got the cash to defend myself. And if I did have the money, he also threatened to sue in any jurisdiction, such as Germany, that would take the case. When I asked if I could remove the parts he's complaining about (island scenario, etc) he told me to seek legal council. Of course he knows this isn't viable for me, but my question contradicts his client's interests.

They clearly don't want to be undercut by someone else offering the same game for free, but are playing a bit dirty to get their way. Even where the laws alone may not protect large companies well enough, their advantage of affording the leverage of the legal system compensates.

It's sad to see so much effort go this way. I hope you all enjoyed it, and those of you who still have it installed continue to as well.

This was my first non-trivial Android application, but I've learned a lot which I can apply to my next project. I haven't started anything yet, but I've got some vague ideas in mind.
[Android Apps and Games] finsmaniac02:
man if someone could carry this on and figure out how to add playing against someone online with push notifications... that would be AWESOME

Even if you can't put it on the market lol
[Android Apps and Games] ex1no:
And if you change the setting to something else which won't be mistaken with the original settlers?

Maybe something like an underwater-theme, a postapocalyptic scenario or something crazy like bee-settlers (bee-hive has also hexagon-shapes) or bacteria-settlers (settling a colony of virus-bacterias into an organism)..

And making the game setting flexible via Theme-Plugins maybe somebody creates something like an "classic" Theme ;)
[Android Apps and Games] brack11:
+1

Maybe this community can help the author in developing new scenario? And of course, maybe author can accept such help? Maybe even make open source with gpl license?
[Android Apps and Games] CYDVicious:
Instead of Settling an Island, put a religious spin on it...about gathering worshippers...

It's not an island, it's a new world (or old world, i.e. Pangea)

Filled with different races, five Races...that correspond to each of the resources...

Each player is going in as a "God" building Chapels and Temples....that help them get more Worshippers...(For Victory Points and more Troops) Certain worshippers pray for spiritual connections (roads) that you the God needs to remain spiritually present within the temples/chapels, You need 4 races to build a chapel (Settlement) and 5 races to build a Temple(City)...

It would be too similiar having the same default map layout...I suggest take up the task of making it a "sea farers" level design. Which means waterways and islands. This eliminates the obvious "Catan" Hexagonal island design. Instead you have a main continent and minor outlying countries etc...

You can do the same with a military twist...recruiting troops/armies...and the player being a general...
[Android Apps and Games] brack11:
Interesting idea, but I wouldn't advise to digg into religions area, just to be safe and not lose any potential players among some conservative believers.
[Android Apps and Games] jab51270:
Or among us Wiccan, Pagan, liberal players either :-)
[Android Apps and Games] magickiller9:
:o Could't download
[Android Apps and Games] Jasper_Ward:
Ya know going the "Themable" route worked for BeautifulWidgets with their issues with HTC and sense... I don't see why it wouldn't work here, I'll keep my APK backed up anyway, but I hope to see more of this in the future, I really enjoyed this
[Android Apps and Games] Oraclebones:
how about the gsettlers apk? I had both versions proir to the games being taken off.
[Android Apps and Games] theeil:
The developer told me he got a similar threat.
[Android Apps and Games] theeil:
Settlers of Catan Makes Legal Threats: Can it Back Them Up? (Hint: No)

Michael Weinberg from publicknowledge.org wrote a great blog post about what happened to Island Settlers. Check it out here:

http://www.publicknowledge.org/blog/settlers-catan-makes-legal-threats-can-it-bac
[Android Apps and Games] emelie:
Did that article change anything with regard to the status of Island Settlers from your perspective?
[Android Apps and Games] ogami_ito:
I don't know why...but I still play this app. The AI just is not good. Yet, I find this to be a fun game. Best played as a 14 point game to make it more challenging though.

I really hope the author tells the lawyers to stick it, and continue work on this game. And then, I really hope that the author creates an save game feature. Then works on the AI a little more.
[Android Apps and Games] tmirage:
This game is/was very promising and good to play indeed. I came across it a while ago already. i understand it is of the market now which is to bad. I hope someday something good rolls out of this still.
[Android Apps and Games] theeil:
Some people here may be interested in some new code I added on github based on this project:

https://github.com/neilisaac/AndroidSettlers

If you're a developer and have a chance to dig through this, I'd like to hear back from you. Some code is quite good, some is less good, and some is just there for brainstorming.

It's meant as a starting point for anyone who wants to make a new "theme" or "story" out of it.

I suppose this is long overdue... Enjoy!
[Android Apps and Games] XlAfbk:
nice! maybe i should get into coding after all...
[Android Apps and Games] emelie:
Thank you very much!

I really appreciate your work and your effort!
[Android Apps and Games] Parastie:
I realize this is no longer in development, but I want to point out that the program FC when dpi is lower then 200. Anyone know how to fix that?
[Android Apps and Games] MaluNoPeleke:
Any new development?
[Android Apps and Games] playrock:
very nice app!
[Android Apps and Games] Repartee:
Very nice app, it would be awesome if development started again as the official app's development seems to have ceased and they still haven't got the dynamic resizing right :/
[Android Apps and Games] theeil:
New game: Pharaoh's Lock

Hi everyone. First off, many thanks for the support and encouragement on my previous title. Anybody still subscribed to this thread may be interested in my new game.

Working with the same artist who previously overhauled the graphics of Island Settlers, I developed an original puzzle game for Android!

Our goal was to make a unique puzzle game that is beautifully designed and highly challenging.

Download Pharaoh's Lock via Google Play

The first 15 levels are free to play with an in-app purchase available for 45 more levels. Anybody providing feedback is welcome to join the "beta test" via Google+ to get free access to the full version. Send me a PM if you're interested in testing.

Enjoy!
[Fascinate Themes and Apps] keith.mcintyre26:
As stated in the title...I would like to keep up with everything when I'm not at home or work. Any suggestions?
[Fascinate Themes and Apps] NKT:
Andchat

http://www.appbrain.com/app/andchat-(free)/net.andchat#
[Fascinate Themes and Apps] neyenlives:
+1 same here
[Fascinate Themes and Apps] AlgorithmX:
I use IRC Radio, I haven't tried any others yet so I don't have any pros or cons to list.
[Fascinate Themes and Apps] keith.mcintyre26:
I appreciate the input guys.
[Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini] iphonepimp:
Anyone know where I can get a larger buttoned toggle settings widget (like the one with wifi, BT gps, brightness widget by default)

kinda like the one in 2.1 for the x10 at around 57 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlVBmJqwmP0&feature=player_embedded#at=57
[Android Themes] thecoard:
Instead of having to go through each app from DVR or bettercut, is there a way to quickly or easily change the icons from a computer? one of the best things about iPhone theming is that it's super easy to change the icons, but on android, they only show on the homescreens.

My question is basically this, is there an easy way to change app icons from a computer (Mac, preferably)?
[General Questions and Answers] Kireki:
Hi, I'm sorry if this question doesn't belong here, I can't find the marketplace, maybe because I'm a newbie :) I've the following question, is Samsung Galaxy S i9000 available in US? I'm not talking about the US versions of Galaxy S, I'd like to buy the International version. Can you recommend me reliable online or retail store? I'm currently near Atlantic City, soon to go to NY, so I need your advice fast.Where can I get the phone without any plan, unlocked? As I'll be soon going to Europe and I really would like to buy the phone from the US. Please, no spam, I really need the advice on this one, ASAP. Thanks.
[General Questions and Answers] Kireki:
Anyone...?
[EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Aerodynamix:
Just curious, when I hold down the power button in CM I get options for Power Off, Recovery, and Bootloader. What exactly is bootloader? I'm afraid to try it since I don't think I have any sort of bootloader installed. Also, I'm pretty sure this isn't the bootloader people are talking about with a linux script and stuff.
[EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drmacinyasha:
Bootloader is just the fastboot/hboot, where you did the Toast's Pt. 2 rooting, and load stuff like PC36img.zip and all that good fun stuff.
[EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dkdude36:
ok, so i am fully rooted and tricked out, but my dad is still running a stock evo. he wants free wireless tether, but doesnt want to be rooted. i used a temporary root version of unrevoked that runs directly on the phone to do this when i first got the evo, and i am trying to do the same for him. i used the unrevoked mobile app located at www.unrevoked.com/m/ to do this for myself when i just got the evo, so i downloaded it and put it on his phone. when i hit the root button, it says it cant find the marker or extract the marker or something like that. i am aware that this uses the rageagainstthecage.bin exploit, and i know how to do it manually, but this would really be a good tool for my tech-deaf dad. does somebody know if there is any way to use this, or does it not work on the newest ota? thanks

dk
[EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] crookedtrails:
As far as I know, you can't use the wireless tether program without being permanently rooted. Or are you planing on temporarily rooting every time you need the wireless tether program?
[EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dkdude36:
i am planning on temporarily rooting every time. i know for a fact that this worked on the original evo 2.1 rom. i am just asking if it will work on the newest ota, and if it does, how can i get it to work for me, because it is not. thanks for responding.

dk
[Touch Pro2, Tilt 2 Windows Mobile ROM Development] cajunflavoredbob:
I'm putting up this thread because there is a good bit of questions that get asked about the difference between the SYS builds. While Microsoft and its partners don't give us a real breakdown of them, we can at least get results on which one is faster than the other. That is the purpose of this thread. If you have any relevant information for me to add to this, let me know. If I add your suggestion, I will, of course, credit you. This is relevant to pretty much all WM6 devices, but I'm making this specific to the Rhodium as that is the only device I plan to support with benchmark results. I'm following the same pattern from the benchmark thread that was started HERE by daeron.be.

To start off, Da_G, a1d2catz, and Cotulla originally posted about the different builds. OndraSter posted to elaborate on a couple of the builds.

Updates:

14 March 2011: Finished benchmarks on 21689, 28245, 29011, 29013.

09 March 2011: New builds have begun rolling out. Testing begins tonight on 21687, 29008, and 29009.

...trimmed every month...