Mod Permissions Question

[Baixinhu]

Hi there!

 

I recently uploaded a mod which is a modified Underground Hideout to help it blend in better with FWE. All with the author's permission. I now intend to make some more changes which implie the use of FWE textures and meshes. I will not upload them with the mod of course, but I want to make some links to some, namely the weapons, so they look like the FWE ones instead of vanilla.

 

So my question is:

Can I make use of those textures/meshes and simply acknowledge it in the credits, since the mod only works with them installed, or do I have to obtain permission from the authors to do so? I don't know to what extent the wording "use of assets from this mod" goes in the mod permissions since I am simply linking to assets, and not providing them with my mod.

[Ghogiel]

I would have to see the permissions and judge for myself.

 

Technically, I think you would be within your rights to go ahead without permission. I think only BGS would be the authority that would disallow you to make a new unique GECK record, you are for all intents creating all your own content. So long as you aren't using scripts, textures, copying other peoples GECK entries, repackaging it, making copies, or modifying the original content, then no one can really say anything besides "I don't like that you didn't ask first" and that is about it. it's not copyright infringement,,maybe it is breaking a kinda license agreement? though that is relienet on the GECKs license, which basically strips them, and you of any ownership of content created inside the GECK. So again, I think it falls to Beth being the final judgement.

 

This is exactly like modding for a DLC. You cannot include the DLC content but you can reference its content in your own mods.

 

IMO it is just modding etiquette to ask though. Why not just ask? :unsure:

Edited May 31, 2011 by Ghogiel

[Baixinhu]

 

This is exactly like modding for a DLC. You cannot include the DLC content but you can reference its content in your own mods.

That's what I was thinking. I was just wondering if it's the general opinion.

 

IMO it is just modding etiquette to ask though. Why not just ask? :unsure:

I did, but I'm having some problems reaching the mod's authors. The only tech support comes (sparingly) from Delamer, but as far as assets are concerned, he makes no decisions. I really don't think they would mind, but without knowing for sure, I'm not uploading a file that uses another person's assets.

 

My question was really about the "modding etiquette" regarding this particular issue, since the permission rules aren't clear - at least to me.

 

Thanks for the speedy reply!

[Ghogiel]

I gathered you weren't using the assets..? if you were actually doing anything to the assets or redistributing them, then it would be straight up: no go without explicitly expressed permission to do so.

 

but yeah, proper etiquette around here is to ask and get thumbs, it's even nice to shoot pms, comments and the like even when the permission is freely given for your intended purpose. I would at least try in this instance, but no one should really be freaking out if you make your own esp and all it's content, regardless of what other mod requirements it needs. imo you are only increasing their DLs and mod popularity or whatever.

 

but this is all IMO, I am no authority, there isn't such a thing, and no doubt other people disagree.

Edited May 31, 2011 by Ghogiel