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Don't confuse the new Atlas Book with EQ AtlasAug 19th, 2002 at 3:14 PM by Allakhazam

Just copying over what I posted on the update page so you can comment: Muse sent me this note to post for you: "SOE recently began promoting their new book, the Everquest Atlas, and some of you have expressed to me some confusion regarding this. Despite the similarity between the name of this product and their use of "EQ Atlas" to advertise it on the Everquest Live site, the product is not related in any way to my site, EQ Atlas (www.eqatlas.com). While we both offer maps and descriptions, the specific content is quite different. I hope that this announcement will clear up any confusion." I'll go a bit further. /rant on. It seems pretty rotten of them to be using the good will he built up over the past three years to sell their book in a way that would clearly confuse players into thinking Muse is involved with it. Muse is a friend, so I may be prejudiced on this one, and yeah it is Sony's game, but I can easily think of a dozen names they could have picked that would have been just as good and wouldn't have suggested a connection with his site. The only logical conclusion to draw is that they are hoping people will go "Cool. EQ Atlas has a book" and buy it based upon that. Shameful, really. Moreover, having looked at the example pdf file SOE lists and compared it to the information on Muse's site, I'm not sure why anyone would buy that book when EQ Atlas offers far superior maps and information for free, and has been serving the community for years. Yeah they're pretty, but who wants a map without locs and camp information? /rant off.

Tags: EverQuest, News

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Copy right violations

# Aug 20 2002 at 1:19 PM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

To the person advising Muse to seek legal action against SOE. I am sure Muse is aware of his legal rights in respect to copy rights on his maps. He has NO legal rights. His maps are a "derived" work, meaning they are based on another existing copy written work (ie Everquest). Therefore if SOE was feeling particularly nasty they could, legally, publish his map and not acknowledge his work at all. This would not be nice but the law is not known for being nice.

That said I agree SOE is being fairly stupid in using the EQ atlas name. I also have no intention of buying their book and (now that I am back playing EQ) am considering getting a premium subscription.

I just wish people would stop telling people to run to lawyers without having some knowledge of the topic.

RE: Copy right violations

# Aug 20 2002 at 2:49 PM Rating: Good

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Anonymous

Uhhh, SOE can't take his maps and sell them. That is like saying that if someone paints a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge, that the mayor of San Francisco has all legal rights over it. He doesn't. The original artist of the painting does.

The only way it WOULD be legal for Sony to do that is if it consisted of pictures. Such as taking a picture of the entrance to Lower Guk, then taking a picture of the direction you are supposed to go in. Otherwise, SOE has NO legal rights over the maps on Eqatlas.com

Advertising this site...

# Aug 20 2002 at 1:17 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591778555024

37 posts

Team,

Why not print a copy of your own? If it does not infringe on any legal witchy-poo from Sony/Verant. Anyway, whenever I see a question regarding "where is this" or "how do I get there" I just /shout www.eqatlas.com.

Whenever I see a question about quests, NPCs, loot info, etc...I just /shout everquest.allakhazam.com.

You guys are the greatest. I have not intention of purchasing anything more from Sony/Verant, except for access to the game. You provide a wonderful service, especially for those of us with limited time in-game. I would not play EQ without getting through the clutter using sites like yours.

End of soapbox.

Who Rules ?

# Aug 20 2002 at 1:14 PM Rating: Decent

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3 posts

Money...

Support EQATLAS, better than a Book.

www.eqatlas.com

n00b

# Aug 20 2002 at 1:07 PM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

I have been playing EQ for about 3 months now. At first I found myself lost and confused and asking other characters how to get started with quests, where NPCs were located, and how to find my way out of one zone. But then EQ Atlas, Casters Realm, and this lil beauty called Allakhazam's came into my life.

I am already forking over way to much to play the game in the first place, why fork out another 20 to find out just a general idea on where a Zone line is. Where is the meat to this book I ask you? The answer is there is none. I myself (like many of you) will stick to the Colored Pencil drawings of zones, specific locs of NPCs, dangers, and walkthroughs that is provided by EQAtlas.com.

I find this book to be a joke … IMHO. EQ Atlas is the bomb ... nuff said.

I say “Hat’s off to Muse and his wonderful site and dedicated work to improving the life of n00bs and veterans alike.”

Muse RULES

# Aug 20 2002 at 12:59 PM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

I for one am shocked that sony would do this,although with rate increase and all the changes that they see as important(completely useless)it should not. It's a terrible shame that Muse and so many others have done so much work to then have a cheap,no quality knock-off to make MORE money book come along and try to take credit where credit is not due.EQ Atlas(website) maps have saved my ranger butt so many times i could never count iand i will continue to support and encourage others to support the site as well.IMO
EQ atlas the book can go blow. MUSE RULES keep up the good work!!!

May your sow never fail you,and your enemies fall swiftly under your blade.

Allorion Manasponge
50th Season Ranger of Tunare
Erollisi Marr
Inner Circle of Norrath

Everquest atlas and other gimmicks

# Aug 20 2002 at 12:10 PM Rating: Decent

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2 posts

I have played eq for about a year and a half and done many searches on the web for info. There are lots of so called spoiler sites on the web and guides for about $20 more or less with package deals for 100... I've purchases a few out of curiousity and what i have learned is allakhazam castersrealm and eqatlas combined are worth 10 times as much information wise and it's free. Verant and other organizations are going to try to make profits wether it be as novelty items (which this can be nothing more than that) or basic knowledge and stratigy of the game... i've seen a few people post that eqatlas and allakhazam are cheaters sites? how is communicating with other players on the web about methods and quest info cheating? I mean hell verant encourages groups and such this is just like a HUGE FRIGGIN group of people working together to help each other understand the game... if that is cheating then i'm just glad it doesn't cost as much as verant would like it to... no sense buyin the book unless you want it just to say you have it

RE: Copy Rights!

# Aug 20 2002 at 12:06 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1593965997183

Scholar

76 posts

ORIGNALLY POSTED BY: lzadrozny
"You may have grounds for Copy Right violations. Since you have long held the name EQ Atlas as a site for many years now. If SOE INTENTLY titled their book to give the impression that they are associated to you...you may have grounds for Copy Rights Infrigment.

If I was you I'd be seeking some Legal Advice in this matter. If sony is trying to use your good name to sell your product then it is Infrigment."

Well, that may sound fine and dandy, but you've got one little problem. Everquest or EQ is a trademarked product that belongs to SOE. With that being said, everything about the game, including all maps and characters are in a way SOE property.

Now, I'm no legal expert; but from what I understand is that SOE owns everything that is associated to the game. That means naming rights, maps, characters, items - everything that dealt with the game Everquest. EQ Atlas never had any ownership to the maps. They were, strictly speaking, a fan site for EQ. And granted that it is a popular fan site, they still don't own the maps that are being posted on their site. So, in a way, EQ Atlas has been advertising for SOE for free all these years and providing a service to the community at the same time.

Yes it sucks that SOE is going to try to profit off of EQ Atlas's name. But it you really look at it, SOE already owns the name and the products. EQ Atlas is just a fan site promoting SOE's products.

They can't be serious!

# Aug 20 2002 at 11:52 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1592250618579

11 posts

I totally agree... My first impulse was "COOL! All the maps from EQ Atlas available in one book! I won't have to worry about finishing off my 3-ring binder of maps." I eagerly pursued the links on SOE's site to check out the book and see if I could get a glimpse of what was inside....

Pu-leeeze!

Sure, it's pretty. Sure it boasts "maps" of every EQ zone - but the detail is sketchy at best. You can't follow zone locations and the beastiary is very general. The equivalent would be using the cloth "world map" they included in one of the box sets as your "zone connection map".

Sorry SOE, but I won't be spending my hard-earned bucks on this book. My money will be MUCH better spent on my premium membership to Allakhazam's and EQ Atlas (the REAL one!).

Edited, Tue Aug 20 12:41:16 2002

It IS called Everquest Atlas

# Aug 20 2002 at 11:08 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1592255191429

22 posts

Just checked out Amazon's site about it - according to their picture, it's called Everquest Atlas - but otherwise I agree - It could have been called by any number of other Titles.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000069K5R/qid=1029858959/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/102-0347586-8146500?s=videogames&n=507846

Bleh!

# Aug 20 2002 at 10:58 AM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

EverQuest Atlas has pretty pictures and amusing background stories, but no useful information of any kind. It's a coffeetable book. When I'm playing the game and need to find something, I'll go to my EQAtlas printouts every time.

Copy Rights!

# Aug 20 2002 at 10:41 AM Rating: Default

__DEL__1591780647206

108 posts

You may have grounds for Copy Right violations. Since you have long held the name EQ Atlas as a site for many years now. If SOE INTENTLY titled their book to give the impression that they are associated to you...you may have grounds for Copy Rights Infrigment.

If I was you I'd be seeking some Legal Advice in this matter. If sony is trying to use your good name to sell your product then it is Infrigment.

Everquest is a very complex game and I admit that if it wern't for the resorces available from Allakhazam and EQAtlas then I would not be giving my money to Sony for playing the game. In that right if both of you were to discontinue your service I know Sony would lose ALOT of gamers who also continue to play for the same reason. Sony should be supplying both of you with a little reveneu for your hard work and service.

To then advertise a book that lets us think that it is a product from you is them gaining financially from your hard word. Which is why there is Copy Right Laws.

RE: Copy Rights!

# Aug 20 2002 at 4:34 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591766597950

12 posts

I would be pretty confident to say that Sony has hired a staff of lawyers that investigated the aforementioned arguement.

Unfortunately, I am also sure that they have found enough loopholes to completely destroy any chance EQAtlas.com has of winning.

Down with the injustices of the legal system.

I wonder what would happen if 100,000 players petitioned GM's at the same time?

I'd laugh too hard to see it.

Regards,

SOE has gone low with this...

# Aug 20 2002 at 10:18 AM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

This reminds me of the stupid strategy guide they put out. WHY??? Allahkazam and EQAtlas gives us ALL this stuff free, why? Because they kick **** like that.

The strategy guide doesn't even come CLOSE to anything on Allakhazam's info, I know, my friend bought it.. and me and all my other friend's proceeded to kick his butt for it lol.

Can we expect this from their atlas? By the sounds of it yes *nods* This is all another way for them to get more money for when games like Shadowbane come out. Which I will be playing along side eq to see which I like better.

Truth of the matter is they've gotten greedier over the years or need more money for game changes et cetera. Seen it before with many other companies, will see it again. Only way to make them feel it is to not buy stupid stuff like this atlas ;) hehehe

yep.

# Aug 20 2002 at 10:14 AM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

http://gucomics.keenspace.com/d/20020612.html

same name, different content...

# Aug 20 2002 at 10:02 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1593362161379

43 posts

I've been using EQAtlas.com for about as long as I have played EQ (about a year) and I havent found a source yet that compares to it. The best maps for the game anywhere are found on Muse's site IMHO. I believe SOE's upcoming book is probably more background information than anything. Lot's of PnP rpg's have done the same thing, putting out books more for background than actual gaming use. As far as SOE using the name EQ Atlas to promote it...IMO it's really tacky of them to do so, but the rights belong to them. Any money that Muse makes off of his site go right back to it, and that probably isn't even enough to run it on it's own, certainly not near enough to make any profit. We as a community could probably petition SOE to change the title of thier book, but I personaly don't see any need in it. Players, even new ones, will know the differencr between site and book. Muse has graciously posted on his site that niether are affiliated, so that should cut the confusion there.

Edited, Tue Aug 20 10:51:21 2002

rawr.

# Aug 20 2002 at 9:42 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591781221253

Scholar

52 posts

I'm with the people who don't buy this book and continue using eqatlas.com. Muse rules.... you'd think SOE would give 'em some credit or something..

BBB

# Aug 20 2002 at 9:40 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591750303082

64 posts

Here's something that hasn't been mentioned yet, BBB (Better Business Bureau) http://www.sandiego.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=11000350

I'm not sure if there is a legal aspect against ripping off EQ Atlas, and certainly not one Muse can afford to win. But, a complaint to the BBB might be possible.

tka eit with a grain of salt

# Aug 20 2002 at 9:10 AM Rating: Decent

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Anonymous

This isn't that big of a deal. Even if SOE is playing off Muse's site, Muse already posted on his site, as well as probably most of the other major EQ sites that the SOE book and his site have no relations. Any Eq player who has even taken a gander at the guides, handbooks, or even game manual that came with the original CD's will know that SOE references are next to useless. Even if someone is foolish enough to buy the SOE book they will end up comming back to Muse's site to find the real improtant information (loc's, spawn info, and dangers of transversing the zone). So don't worry, I am sure Muse is confident that this SOE book will not cause EQ'rs to stop using his site, just in the same way Allakhazam isn't threatened by any SOE game guides.

Hybro 58 Druid
The 7Th Hammer

SS, DD from SOE

# Aug 20 2002 at 8:39 AM Rating: Excellent

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Sage

208 posts

First of all, the trademark to EQ belongs to SOE, and they can call their Atlas what they like. It may be unethical for them to refer to it as the "EQ Atlas", considering that Muse has used that name for the past several years, but it's not likely to be illegal... and even if it is, chances are, SOE can pay their lawyers for a lot longer than Muse can afford to pay his.

I've not seen the Atlas yet, so take this with a grain of salt. However, when I bought EQ originally, I saw EverQuest's "The Official Player's Guide" on a nearby shelf, and thought "Great! Something with more information to help me learn the game!"

Sure, it was another 20 dollars, but if it was going to help me understand how everything worked, so what?

Imagine my anger when after reading this book, I found that aside from some pictures and thumbnail story vignettes which added nothing as far as useful content was concerned, the information in this "OFficial Guide" was EXACTLY the same as the manual that came in the EQ box, FOR FREE!

Where was the information on what spells did? What weapons were available in the game? What kind of armor choices were there? Where were the REAL suggestions on how to create characters?

It was an absolute waste of paper, and as far as I'm concerned, SOE stole $20 from each and every person that bought it.

Even the Prima guide was far less than it should have been. The higher level spells had no details about their effects, only the log message that would be displayed. "I hear barking? So what?" How much damage does it do? How long does it last? Why would I want to cast this on someone? More to the point, WHO would I cast it on, my friends, or my enemies?

Based on those experiences, I'll never again buy any game guides from SOE without first going over them VERY thoroughly first, to make sure they actually provide me with some value for my money.

Heck, considering I've got a huge three-ring binder that has Muse's maps of pretty much every zone I've ever been in, SOE's version is going to be way too little, way too late anyway.

Edited, Wed Aug 21 07:04:54 2002

Maps

# Aug 20 2002 at 8:26 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591766402853

25 posts

Well, I won't be buying it because I already have one... and it didn't cost me a thing.

I've been collecting maps from EqAtlas.com for years. I've been recommending the site to newbies for years.

my 0.002 PP

-Archy

Apricots

# Aug 20 2002 at 8:16 AM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

Actually, i think SoE's official title for their atlas is "Everquest Atlas: Maps of Marzipan" or somethin' like that. At least they made some sort of effort to distinguish it. Besides, how were they to title it, "Sony's Big Honkin' Book O' Everquest Maps n' Fun!!!" ?

I don't think so.

I'll still be using EQ Atlas because I don't have 19.95 to shell out. It looks like a neat product but i'm broke. Keep up the good work yall

Simple enough...

# Aug 20 2002 at 8:06 AM Rating: Excellent

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101 posts

If you don't like Sony's atlas.. don't buy it.
If you feel absolutly outraged that Sony did anything wrong here send Muse the $19.95 instead.

Atlas

# Aug 20 2002 at 7:59 AM Rating: Decent

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Anonymous

If memory serves me correctly, Muse went to Verant quite some time ago to see about partnering up for a book such as this. It is being called Everquest Atlas. At least that's what I've seen on the website anyway. A lot of people are not going to make the distinction between Everquest Atlas and EQ Atlas.

Been there before

# Aug 20 2002 at 7:29 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1592347126605

Scholar

32 posts

/ Rant on... I must admit, I'm supprised that this hasnt been available before. Verant / SoE are doing what so many roleplaying game providers (Wizards of The Coast, Games Workshop etc) have been doing for a long, long time. They have a very large pool of players which to sell products to. Take a look at the AD&D everquest version if you need convincing. The ONLY thing these companies are concerned about is making money. Thats it. Bottom line. I only need to look in my book shelves at the 50 or so AD&D manuals or the 2,000 lead minatures from my misspent youth to know how effective it is.

/rant off..

Muse's map site has been a truly game enhancing experience for me. I will not visit a zone without a copy of a map from eqatlas.com... There is however, a single major advantage that a web site has over a book, no matter how good that book is....

IT CANNOT BE UPDATED DAILY !!!. If you buy this, expect it to be completely wrong within 6 months. I hope you plan on rebuying it on a regular basis. You'll soon be matching my AD&D manuals.

I dont care what the publishers of this book call it. It will never match www.eqatlas.com for content or accuracy. Unless of course they are planning on thier own web site for book updates.. oh well, we'll see..

Tellmir - Druid 40th, global traveller and owner of several ring binders.

Bad maps

# Aug 20 2002 at 7:29 AM Rating: Default

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Anonymous

I agree about the maps, I checked out the sample map and was disappointed. Eqatlas has MUCH better maps!!!

Thanx

# Aug 20 2002 at 7:04 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1592758858076

6 posts

i could care less if your both brother, wife and husband, working for sony online ETC...

Both sites are equally awsome and well worth the money to pay for the services. i would have charged sooner if i was working both sites.

Time it takes to organize the info and do the research(allot of it coming from the plaers i'm guessing as well). hands down job well done. I use the site religiously. i would go insane tring to memerize every thing about this game. so both sites come in handy all the time.

I would just like to say thanx and my charge card will be updateing my renewal soon :)

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