Of Porters and Modders

[dieangel68]

Then start from the original mod material itself and add the sight node yourself.

 

No it doesn't become the property of the porter if he modify something, but he still become the "owner" of the part he modified. If you want to avoid the hassle of asking permission to the porter, then don't use the ported mod and redo the porting yourself.

 

Because something took no time or skill in your eyes doesn't mean it doesn't deserve credit. To go again with the music analogy. On a Mozart piece, the composition has been in public domain for a long while now, buy you still have to ask permission to those who hold the IP rights of the interpretation, they didn't create the piece of music, they only "play" it. You are free to do it too, but their work being based on something you are allowed to use (or don't need autorisation to use) doesn't mean you get to use their work without permission too.

[buddah]

The original creator of any asset, is always in control of that material. Most like myself create just for the joy it gives us and do allow almost unrestricted use.. While others want complete control of their work.

 

Generally speaking if you are making it for yourself you are free to do as you will, as I will not show up on your doorstep and physically remove it from your hard drive.

 

If you do create something that you intend to share publicly, there are a few things to consider and things that I do when I an creating a new mod. Here is a short list of how I do things.

 

1. Select assets that are free to use, where the permissions for modification and redistributed are plainly stated in the description/permissions/readme.

 

2. For those assets that are not specifically stated as being modders resources, I obtain explicit permissions to use the said work, or if unable to I don't use it. Why waste my time for something I cannot share with the community.

 

3. Keep a list of what was used and from whom the original work came from, this I include in the description and readme.

 

4. What I create myself, I know that the intent is to share openly and freely or I don's include it in the release.

 

As for porting the work of another from one game to another....this can get rather sticky and there are some things that have special considerations that should be considered.

 

1. If the material was created by author "X" and he/she gives permission in the description/permissions/readme for modification and redistribution then all is good.

 

2. Here is the hard part, is the asset in question from another game.....If the work is from another game, it is a violation of the EULA and the rules of the site to port that content [even modified] over to another game. Any DLC content is best left alone as it did not ship with the original game and is a paid for extension of the base game and cannot be redistributed, it is best to just make your mod dependent on said DLC rather than including the assets themselves.

 

In general no matter what you do, if you used some one's work just put them in the credits, link back to the original work in your readme...throw them a little thank you and even if called on it later. You did the proper thing and did what the community expects you to do, keep everything open and above board so if you miss a credit, it will be viewed as an oversight and not theft.

 

Use common sense and the approach, how would I react to seeing my work elsewhere with no permissions or credits. IF it would upset you, it will probably upset them.

 

This is how I do things, and it works for me.......if some one uses what I create, good for them and I am honored they found my feeble attempts worthy of being included in their work.

 

Respect of others is not possible if you have no respect for yourself, if you respect yourself you will respect the work of others as a matter of course. It is the golden rule personified; "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

 

Have a good time and game on my friends.

 

Buddah aka MIcky

[Shazbot85]

Thanks Buddah. :)

 

Ask the original modder for permission and give credits to both. I think I got it. :)