I don't know what exactly goes into an EULA, but the setup I have at the moment just doesn't seem to be decent at all. This is what I have now. I'd rate it 2 stars at best and I know I'm missing a lot more.

Quote:

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End-user license agreement for:
The Supernatural Olympics

Last updated: Jun 30, 2006

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Definitions
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Software product - Software product refers to any software product from Ulillillia City Software. This includes The Supernatural Olympics.
Update - An update is a collection of new features, bug fixes, and other updates, of which are provided only by Ulillillia City Software. An update is when version 2.5 is released when the last release was 2.4.
Upgrade - An upgrade is the change of the game version's generation. That is, an upgrade is going from version 2.x to 3.x, 4.x, and the related where x is anything.
Free edition - The feature-limited edition of The Supernatural Olympics.
Full edition - The free edition combined with the full edition access key which converts the free edition into the full edition.
Full edition access key - A "key" file used to unlock the features of the full edition.
License - The permit to use the full edition access key on a single computer. For using on 5 computers, 5 licenses are required.

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Installation
============

The free edition may be installed on any number of computers. The full edition key file can only be installed on one computer per paid license. That is, to install the full edition license key on two computers, you need two paid licenses. In a network setting, you will need one license for each computer that uses the software product. That is, if you have ten computers networked together, even if the software product is installed on one computer, you will need ten licenses for all computers to use the software product.

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Using the software
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You may not decompile, disassemble, hack, or otherwise attempt to reveal the source code. Modifying the software in any way, except through updates and upgrades released only by Ulillillia City Software and game save files, is not allowed.

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A good way to help is asking various questions that need to be covered in the EULA. It's the only tricky part left before I can sell my 2D game.

Check out Nolo. They have various reasonably priced legal guides with forms that may (or may not) be helpful. Also, you may wish to consult a lawyer and, at least, ask how much it would cost you to have them review your final document.

Before I can even get that, I'd have to wait until at least July 20 for my debit card's spending limit to reset and I don't want to wait that long. Adding in the cheaper version, the ebook, would put it way too close to the spending limit (less than $5 to spare). From what I've heard and read, it's costs several hundred dollars for a lawyer, of which I don't even have close to enough money for. If it was $300, I'd have to wait at least 4 months to save up for that, and that's assuming a rather high $75 a month saved. I'm definitely not going to wait that long!

I have to use another method for this and the forums are the best method I have at the moment.

That's one thing that's nice about Nola; their forms are pretty reasonably priced. Another approach would be to download several games, study the structures of their EULAs, and model yours after theirs.

As for legal advice, there are lawyers out there who do pro bono work for folks just starting out. For example, some years ago, when I had a whopping big contract to sign, and no clue what was going on (some things never change), a local attorney was kind enough to review the contract at no charge. You may or may not wish to look for the same, but working with lawyers is good practice for -- well -- when you need to work with more lawyers.

When I looked at the site, they tend to have the fancier RTF and DOC files. I don't need anything fancy - just plain ASCII formatting is all I need, 8-bit text like HTML documents use. All I only need is just what needs to be covered and that sort of thing. The only thing on that website is just ordering an Ebook (possibly with a circular disk (a CD)). I just want one form, one for software licenses, the one mentioned just below the center of the fourth group. I don't care for PDF files or anything, just the basic information in it:

What do I have to include? What should I not include? What optional things can be included? How should the information be stated?

Also, I don't have any PC games, except Midtown Madness 2, of which I don't know where the CD is. The only other things I have are just console games, of which don't have EULA's in them. I never download any games either as they are either flash games (of which I dislike) or in that I have absolutely no interest in it. At least 99% of them are of no interest and 70% of what remains have too much adult content (T, M, or Ao rated). These are games I'll likely rent or buy, just 3 out of 1000. Then, about 70% of these lack being able to do side quests or play around for the fun of it leaving just 1 good game out of 1000. It's this that caused me to lose interest in playing games, except only classics that I've played several dozen times (even a few hundred times).

In short, all I want is to know what needs to be included into an EULA, what shouldn't be, any optional things, and otherwise how the information should be stated. Since I don't want to wait clear until July 20 at the earliest (two weeks from now), nolo is not going to be an option, unless I can get just that form separately.

The only other things I have are just console games, of which don't have EULA's in them. I never download any games either as they are either flash games (of which I dislike) or in that I have absolutely no interest in it.

Sure, but you'd be downloading them to take a look at their NDAs, so it may be worthwhile. Many are available on the Web, as well:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=game+eula
http://www.epicgames.com/ut2k4_eula.html
http://www.eve-online.com/pnp/eula.asp
http://www.chikka.com/eula.html

That gave me a good start and the fourth attempt at it seems much more legitimate than my past versions as a license agreement. What do you think of the first version of this fourth attempt at it?



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End-user license agreement for:
The Supernatural Olympics

Last updated: Jul 8, 2006

By installing, using, or otherwise having the software stored on any storage medium you own, or having it stored on any part of your computer, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree to these terms, you must discontinue use and destroy all copies of the software. Thus, you should read the license agreement carefully.

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License grant
=============

Ulillillia City Software, "the licensor", grants you, the "licensee" the right to install and use one license key on one computer per paid license. The free edition can be installed and used on any number of computers. For use in a network setting, additional licenses are required for each computer that will have access to the software using the key files.

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Usage limitations
=================

You may:
1. distribute the free edition as provided by the distributions section of this EULA.
2. modify save files only by using the software that created it to do so.
3. make one (1) copy of the key solely for backup purposes and that you are the only one who uses the key.
4. copy the free edition any number of times provided all terms herein are met.

You may not:
1. create derrivative works of the software, including translations or localizations without prior written approval.
2. reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, reproduce, or otherwise attempt to reveal the source code. Modifications are not allowed except from updates and upgrades provided only by Ulillillia City Software.
3. rent, lease, sell, sublicense, or barter the software. This includes key files.

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Updates and upgrades
====================

Updates and upgrades are changes to the software made only by Ulillillia City Software. These new releases may be distributed under the distribution terms.

Upgrades require a special upgrade license. Upgrades do not work with older key files. Upgrade licenses require the old key file to work. The full version license does not require a previous key. For each older key being replaced, one upgrade license is required.

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Distributions
=============

If you want to distribute the free edition, you can to a limited extent. If you do not distribute any component of the game, whether the save files, the manual, or the software program itself, this section does not apply to you.

The free edition can be distributed as long as these distribution terms are met. The distributed version:
1. must not be modified in any form (including copyrights, watermarks, and this EULA) except modifications made only by Ulillillia City Software.
2. must not include any key files.
3. cannot be sold for any commercial purpose (it must always be for free).

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Termination
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You may terminate the license at any time. However, if you do not follow these terms and conditions, your license to use the software will be terminated. Upon termination, all copies of the software must be destroyed, including any backup copies whether as distributions on your webserver/webhost, on your hard drive (including all past versions) and on any other storage media you own or use.

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Warranty
========

The software is provided as is without any warranty.

=======================
Limitation of Liability
=======================

In no circumstance will Ulillillia City Software be held liable for any incidental, special, or consequencial damages from misusing the software.

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Copyright
=========

The software and any logos, trademarks, or other intellectual property are owned by Ulillillia City Software. The software and other intellectual property must be treated like any other copyrighted material.

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Looks much better. :) You still might want to ask around if a friend of a colleague or family member knows a lawyer who'd be willing to glance at it for free.

I would say that it does indeed look much more authentic as an EULA. Given that this seems much shorter than that of many other EULA's, I have a feeling I'm leaving out important details. Rather than 5 KB of text (unformatted), there's only about 3 KB.

Oh, and how to I find such a lawyer? I don't know of any around and short of paying $40 or so for a taxi to get into town during the weekdays, I don't have any other ideas for this thus the forums are the best help I have at the moment.