Steam, VPN and geo-blocked content

[ozinoz]

Hi,

I have a question. So many user created content (routes) are using assets that are contained in geo-blocked routes. For some strange reason, BiN SniF has copyright issues with some of the trees on Marias Pass - I am really not sure about copyrighting geography, but that is a conversation for another time.

The question is, if I use a VPN, with the server located in the US, will that defeat the geo-blocked routes issue, and will I get to keep them into the future.

The CimPac rebuild looks stunning and I want to be able to run it. It is not as though I am looking to pirate the content or anything, I would purchase the dependencies, just to be able to enjoy it.

[Chacal]

I heard that it is not enough, as they can tell where your credit card is from.
But that's a vague recollection.

[DanSSG]

Some years ago I've heard, that you could get these routes if someone inside the US send it to you as a gift. But I don't know if that still works.

[mindenjohn]

You need a credit card with a US bank and a US address. I tried all ways but found these the final “frontier”...I t is a stupid situation as if I buy an Athearn, Walters or Kato HO model of a BNSF ( or subsidiaries) via a US outlet there is no problem with the purchase or copyright as they get their pound of flesh (royalty) in the US. I have pointed this out to DTG and with the expected result........ignored.

[ex-railwayman]

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but, I don't think BiNSniF would be too bothered with DTG about the licence as such, as they don't hold much sway in a British Courtroom, however, I think Steam is the main issue here, as the Valve Corporation, being American based, in BiNSniF's own back yard, don't want to risk anything, reputation/financial penalties, etc, as they are the easier party to be sued in an American Courtroom and I don't think they want to get involved in licence spats, so, have just said no to outsiders, which to be fair, you can see their point of view, even though it doesn't help us as a community.

Cheerz. Steve.

[mindenjohn]

Steve, I agree but cannot see how Steam can be sued if they sell an item in the US and the customer takes it out of the US.

[AmericanSteam]

I think the caveat here is. If you don't put a regional lock on it you can't sell anything with our name on it in the US. Some is better than none. At least a few content creators have found a workaround to supply this content.

[buzz456]

Someone really should ask Warren and the boys to change the policy respectfully.

[trev123]

Why don't DTG bring these routes out without the logos on the assets and sell them that way and as a free download bring out a branding patch file that the user runs which puts the logos on the assets? This could be done for route and standalone locos.

[AmericanSteam]

Why don't DTG bring these routes out without the logos on the assets and sell them that way and as a free download bring out a branding patch file that the user runs which puts the logos on the assets? This was done on Clear Creek. This could be done for route and standalone locos.

This is what Eyen does. BNSF probably has a no no on that as well.

[mindenjohn]

I suggested to DTG that they even consider releasing the routes without ANY rolling stock but the usual response.......It is a mystery as to how they can release “The Racetrack” and not do Stevens Pass and Marias Pass in the same manner, inconsistent or what.

[buzz456]

I suggested to DTG that they even consider releasing the routes without ANY rolling stock but the usual response.......It is a mystery as to how they can release “The Racetrack” and not do Stevens Pass and Marias Pass in the same manner, inconsistent or what.

It makes no sense what so ever. I just wish someone could get a coherent answer out of them. At least maybe they could put out a package of the generic assets from these routes so all of you folks from outside the US could at least have them available for all of us to use in our route building. We used to be able to do that by getting us in the US to buy the routes and then gift them to people in other countries but for some reason known only to lawyers and other useless bureaucrats someone decided that was forbidden. A long time ago smart people figured out that you shouldn't try write laws that wouldn't be obeyed. Stupid people are still writing laws that won't be obeyed.

[trev123]

As someone said to me many years ago, "All laws are made to be broken."