Copyright questions

[XTR3M368]

Hi,

 

I recently made a mistake and used an existing morph as a base to make another morph. In my mind, I didn't see the difference between that and using an existing shield mod and just retexturing it some like some others have done. I think you can see that I made an honest mistake. I have since fixed the issue by just removing the morph and creating a new one from the HF base in the toolset. I guess I want to know, where is the line? I highly doubt all people using a mesh and texture base and just modifying it some have asked for permission from the original author. For that matter, has anyone asked BioWare to use their models? I made a mistake.....and I hate making mistakes. Could I have some parameters with examples on what is OK and what is not? I don't want to make any more mistakes and this thread might help others from making the same kind of errors in the future.

 

*EDIT* Doh! my fingers move faster than my brain....the topic should read "Copyright question" lol

 

Thanks,

"X"

[DarkeWolf]

Heyas XTR3M368-

 

First off, gotta say... I've seen some of your work, and it's Good. Keep it up :)

 

Essentially, anything that is brought over from, or contains content from, another game, is considered a port, and is not allowed here. (You already know this, I've seen a comment about it on one of your images).

Anything that contains content from another modder must have permission to use (keep that on file, you may be asked to show it) as well as credit given for their work in the description and included readme file (prefereably with a link to their mod)(if a readme file is included), and of course must be acknowledged for their work.

 

Thats not the full list. The full description for the rules regarding this can be found here-

http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules#uploading

 

 

Keep up the good work, and we appreciate you being concious of other's work :)

[XTR3M368]

great, that is good information.

 

Here is a question. Do you have to ask for permission to import a model that is completely custom from Oblivion to DA if the author has stated that it is a modder's resource and can be used with credit given? And did not state "for Oblivion/Bethesda only"? I understand about the ones that use vanilla resources as a base like the LPotD armor and the Highlander katana I made now, (thanks LHammonds) but what about the ones that are completely custom?

 

Here is another one....If you had permission to use some custom work for your own mod in Oblivion, Do you need to ask the author of the original custom work to import your permission-ed Oblivion mod into DA and release it on the DANexus if they had already given permission to release your mod on TESNexus? Personally, I am asking that author anyway because it is polite, but if they had already given permission to use....what is the etiquette and/or policy about using it for another mod or importing it into DA? The reasoning for this question is in case they go MIA for the import request but had already given the first permission.

 

Sorry for all the bother on this, but like I said....I hate making mistakes and what the heck...this might be helpful to someone else sometime.

 

*Edit* Dark, is there anyway you can change the topic title from Copywrite to Copyright so that I don't look like such a dork lol?

[DarkeWolf]

LOL thread subject line changed, as you requested ;)

 

If its released as a modder's resource, then yes... it can be used and distributed at will. A resource file is basically given out as something that anybody can use. Just make sure to credit them for the work ;)

 

As long as part of it doesnt come from a game (copyrighted material) (GEEZE! I just made that same typo that you had in the subject line! :laugh: ) its all good :)

 

Well, I'm sure that the author will appreciate knowing that his work is getting some use. And how it's going to be used. Tho it's not a necessity. As you've said, he's given distribution permission.

 

Hrm. LEGALLY speaking, permission to use work for Oblivion is not free distribution grantage. Its distribution grantage for Oblivion. Not a grant to distribute for Dragon Age.

You have already been given permission to use the artwork, so the original author may, or may not take offense to it being used in another game. But... that just comes down to their own individual personality.

In short, I'd ask. ;)

[RustyBlade]

I think DarkeWolf has covered it well but I would add this piece of advice: It is better to ask for something that is not needed to be asked for than it is to not ask and be found wanting. (When in doubt, err on the side of caution.)

[XTR3M368]

Ok, I have a new question. I have the ME2 version of the Dragon Armor and a retexture posted on the Bioware Social Network and the DANexus. I use the original mod found here: http://social.bioware.com/project/2611/

and the retexture of that found on the DANexus here:

http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1151

 

What I am curious about is whether or not porting ME2 things into DA is allowed by the DANexus. They allowed it on the BioWare Social Network and the DANexus has the retexture with the link stating the original port was a requirement. I think there is some interesting armor and clothing that could be retextured for DA in ME2 and ME1. Is this allowed?

[Thandal]

IANAL, (and these sorts of questions are better directed as PMs to the site Moderators) but the key is, (as always) PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. Many (most?) BioWare-developed materials have been provided for "the use of the community", but the specific retextures, meshes, etc. that OTHER modders created should (can... must!) not be used unless specifically authorized.

[XTR3M368]

While pms are fine, it is my opinion that since "porting" is becoming more common, that the general public will benefit from such questions. With that logic, posing this question in "open forum" is completely appropriate. I will leave the question of whether or not this is actually appropriate to the staff. This question is NOT about modifying other modder's resources so I fail to understand why that statement is even applicable. Those mods I listed are for reference to what I perceive as precedencts pertaining to my question not about using or modifying those specifically. Could we have a staff ruling on this?

[DarkeWolf]

Bioware is not the nexus. The administration here has Zero Tolerance for ANY material which is used without expressed permission.

So in other words, just having it allowed on bioware and them being ok with it, for it to be hosted here, the staff would ask to see the permission for use, in writing.

So even tho that armor is "Ok" with bioware, there's never been permission to use that model, and thus the administration here views it as an illegal rip/port. Its actually been removed from this site for that very reason.

 

As for models and textures used in other games, such as oblivion to da, fo to da, no. not at all. illegal port, upload here = ban hammer. If a person were to do a mod that included music from one game, and included it in their mod... no proof of permission, out the door.

 

Short answer on the site's view is this: If it has ANY content from another game, better safe than sorry, don't upload it here.

Edited October 13, 2010 by DarkeWolf

[XTR3M368]

Bummer....but good to know for sure. Better to have asked a stupid question, then to have made a stupid mistake. ;)

 

*edit* for the record, I wasn't trying to compare BioWare's social network the the Nexus, nor was I implying that the Nexus should allow the upload simply because BioWare's own social network does. Since that is BioWare's social network and they have allowed that to stay up, you can see why I would ask that question....no offense was intended.