Railworks America

You know what I find the most annoying. Steam blocks access to certain DLC relating to BNSF for those of us outside of the US. The SW1500 DLC has other locomotives including CN. Chris and Jerres have a nice CP repaint for that DLC but we can't use it without the original from Steam. If they allowed the non BN content plus maybe a replacement locomotive that would be more fair. All that content used to be available to us. anyway that's my beef.

suzukisk

Really? Even Canadians don't have access to BNSF skins?

Question for the forum members; I don't live far from the US/CAN border so if I brought my laptop across the border and played Trainsim in Canada with several BNSF DLC I own from the states. Would I be breaking the law?

Probably no problem because you purchased the content in the states. I have BNSF DLC that i purchased before the ban was in place and I am entitled to use them.

suzukiski

There is a solution to the problem, I believe. Use a program like ipVanish to mask your actual location. Get the trial version and see if it works. If you live outside the US, select a VPN server that is located in the U.S. and it will appear to the folks at Steam that you are located in the United States.

Jim

I am not willing to pay a set fee in order to just obtain payware. Are there free alternatives to this program that do the job?

Probably but you'd need to track them down. I've used ipVanish for a couple years now. So really haven't followed other similar products.

susikrisk - You may find this post where I already raised the Asset issue of interest as well.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19777

Bottom line - it stems from BNSF's approach.

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My personal opinion is that if BNSF does not want little me running a model of their locos because of their valuable logo I will oblige.

Authors of software using BNSF assets, just need to aware of the fact they are also applying BNSFs restrictions to their software and intellectual property.

That's fine too - but then if the software is payware they will not get the sales - DRG will not sell the item outside of the USA.

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Jim - thanks for your suggestion. It is good, but I really cannot be bothered with the effort just to look at a BNSF loco they do not want me to see! It is also bucking BNSF and DRG's wishes and given the latter may not be legal?

I appreciate the argument as well, that we are just "hobbyists" but that does not give us special rights. BNSF and DRG are well aware of what they are doing.

Well just so we all understand there is a easy workaround. You make it generic like the Racetrack Route and let some enterprising citizen (pat on own back) make up the double secret signs and such to bring it to life. I think someone is offering a generic loco to people outside the US and then a freeware brand x to make the thing labeled.

Thanks Buzz - your input is appreciated and valuable....................

My comments above are - as I indicated, my personal take, opinion, and stance on this - nothing more.