So I´m sure we all know id considers buying or otherwise acquiring custom maps legally problematic, as summed up in this quote from the start of the month

<cityy_> there are enough mappers out there which are able to produce maps
<esr> exactly
<esr> they're just being stubborn on not considering them
<SyncError> No, that's not what is happening.
[...]
<SyncError> Many things, but a lot of out is rooted in the fact that its difficult for companies to integrate custom content when they are also the ones that would be distributing the content.
<SyncError> Its a legal issue mostly, and one that I hope should be worked out soon.
<SyncError> Furthermore, once we begin having premium accounts, its complicated by the fact that
[...]
<SyncError> Its not just threewave.
<SyncError> Its content that WE don't own, and we didn't create.
[...]
<esr> ok
<esr> so i create a map
<esr> give you the rights
<esr> theres a further problem after that?
<SyncError> but then what if you stole your map
<SyncError> or used textures that someone else made and you didnt have proper permission
<SyncError> or there was a model file included, and somone else made it
<SyncError> There's a liablility issue for us, especially when we're distributing the map to millions of people across the globe
<SyncError> so it is very different than how maps worked in Q3
<SyncError> where if a custom map was made, we weren't distributing it. (<---- THIS IS THE POINT)
[...]
<SyncError> I'm just explaining that there are legal issues and worries
[...]
<SyncError> and thats the greater challenge.
<SyncError> We want additional maps, including custom content.
<SyncError> I'm not, I'm just relating what their concerns are.


What I don´t understand is why this isn´t a problem for valve, which has been doing pretty much the same thing routinely for two years - that is, they buy a custom map and it´s resources and send it out to a whole lot more people than play QL. Almost every major update they release has one, sometimes several bought out custom maps.

I´m not trying to call BS on id´s explanation (although I don´t discount the possibility), I just don´t understand what the difference is.