"The gratitude of every EAW
player, throughout the world, goes out to those who, undaunted by odds and
unwearied in their constant challenge, are turning the tide of EAW by their
prowess and their devotion. Never in the field of 'virtual' conflict was so
much, owed by so many, to so few".
With respect, a
parody of an extract from the speech by Winston Churchill in the House of
Commons, August 20, 1940.
The reason for the creation of the 'Society of EAW Contributors' (SEAWC) is for our group of members to state our guidelines for the development use of our files created for the flight simulator 'European Air War' and to provide a central 'Safe Haven' for the developers. Within the SEAWC environment we will encourage and foster the further development of new EAW add-ons, tools, graphics, art, and various other creations through open collaboration, and by the encouragement of fledgling contributors through allowing the use of the works of the SEAWC members. This site will be the SEAWC home base.
Since its release some years ago, individuals throughout the world have sought to modify and thereby enhance the basic game files. These modified files have then, in most cases, been released to the EAW community, for anyone to use. Over a period of time the experience and skills of our EAW 'modders' and 'skinners' has evolved, resulting in the release of not only aircraft, but terrains, campaigns, vehicles, trains, ships, sounds, effects, utilities and much more, all to the highest standards possible.
These enhanced files are much sought after and have also led to an increased interest in the art of modification. This in turn has unfortunately, on occasion, led to 'heated debates' on the rights and wrongs in the subsequent modification and use of these files. It has been generally accepted that once released on the 'open Internet', these files are free to be used or modified by anyone. However, not all creators agree with this logic. Out of courtesy to the originators of all of these files, regardless of their viewpoint, it seemed logical to present some order to the chaos, and in doing so promote a better understanding between us all.
To this end, members of our SEAWC community have agreed to make it known their standpoint on these issues. This page lists these points in order that everyone is left in no doubt regarding the permitted use of their work. This is in no way intended to be a 'band of elitist brothers' set upon 'mutual ego trip'. The opposite is true in fact. It is intended to encourage the use of their work for the benefit of everyone and to entice more to the art of creating, 'modding' and 'skinning', without fear of being 'flamed' for their efforts.
If any member of the EAW community wishes to have their name added to SEAWC, please feel free to contact me from the front screen link (typewriter). However, we do not view this as mandatory to do so and anyone who wishes to remain off the list is in no way held in any less regard by the members of SEAWC.
The members of SEAWC agree unconditionally to the following:
Please Note:
The term 'file', as used below, refers to 'any
type' of input to EAW, including aircraft/ground object 3DZ models,
aircraft/ground object skins, terrains, special effects, sounds, campaigns and
tools/utilities.
1) All those members of
SEAWC, singularly or as part of a group effort, agree that any new or old
files, created and posted/released by them, can be freely used or modified by
anyone, without the necessity for verbal permission or written authorization
from the originator.
2) All those members
of SEAWC would ask that if any individual changes/amends any of their files and
subsequently releases these files as their own work, that the individual gives
due credit to the originator(s) in the readme file. If those involved in the
history of the model/skin cannot be established, then a statement to that
effect should be placed in the readme file. This would allow future updates to
the readme file, should the information become available.
3) All those members of SEAWC agree that any work
created by them is in the hope of enhancing EAW for the benefit of everyone and
that no self importance, self esteem or financial gain is sought or
inferred.
4) All those members of SEAWC
agree that if only a modification has been carried out to an original file, the
readme file should say that it is a modification, and the file should not be
released as 'new'.
5) Last, but by no means
least, all those members of SEAWC agree that, regardless of the level of your
involvement, EAW should be enjoyed for what it is, a flight simulator. We are
all here to have fun.
