A Question About Copywritten Materials

[Skinjack]

So quick question.

 

I've done a number of weapon models (now approaching 100) that I'm going to put in a mod. However, a dozen or so of the models were based on designs I found online. These were online art only, whereas I made the models myself (most of the latter I altered to my tastes). I can no longer find some of these drawings (some are 5+ years since I made them), or have no idea how to contact the creators, some are in Japanese, etc.

 

My question is, should I include these in the mod I am going to create? I figure I have several options.

1. I can include them and take them off if the creators contact me and say they don't like what I did.

2. I can put them in a separate mod and upload it with the acknowledgement I will remove them if the author contacts me.

3. I can make them available only upon specific requests from those interested in them, thus keeping them out of the public venue and made available only privately.

 

I don't want to step on anyone's "creative toes", so I'd really appreciate some input on what course of action I should pursue. Again, the artwork I found online (and may have modified somewhat or not at all), but the models and textures I created on my own or found on free sites. (I guess finding them on a free site is no guarantee these days either.)

 

I missed a good part of the Skyrim "ettiquette" development over the years due to a stroke and trying to heal in the intermittent years, so I'd be very greatful for any opinions I can get.

[WastelandAssassin]

so let us divide this into two questions , one about the assets that you made yourself , which are based around images you found online , and the other being assets you found on sites

 

for the first , as far as I know (and don't take this as an official answer , just what I know) there should be no issue with you uploading these assets , since you made them yourself

I've seen mods that contain models based on big franchises like LoTR or Star Wars , and as far as I know there was never as issue with these , so long as the assets weren't ripped from games , or used without permissions from the creator of the assets (since you are the creator in this case , that won't be an issue) . so for these , I don't foresee any issues

 

as for assets you found on free sites , these aren't necessarily free to use (as far as I know) . you'll need to check where you found the assets , and verify that these assets are under a creative commons license or something like that , or that the authors allow for usage of their assets

 

again , this is based on my limited knowledge on the matter , and is not an official statement , so you'd have to wait for that (I'll try to ask an admin in the morning , maybe I could get you an official answer)

[Rabbit1251]

Check the mod's 'readme' file for the author's permissions. Sometimes they will include it. If there is no permission then you may assume it is refused. You must contact the author and ask their permission first posting their work. It is not up to them to ask you to take it down after you publish their work. Otherwise in your readme state that your mod requires their mod to work and include a link. I hope that this helps.

 

 

The Rabbit

[TairaNoritsune]

Depending on where Thou plan to upload.

 

Putting this simple and straight, this site and it's administration favours the view, that copyright applies to everyone's creatons by default and there is no consent given to reuse assets, unless explicitly stated otherwise (more or less it is stated in the rules of this website).

 

However rules are written by owners of every place, be it land, society or website, thus are very local thing and my vary from place to place.

Edited July 29, 2018 by TairaNoritsune

[Skinjack]

Thanks for the quick reply Wasteland Assassin. Hopefully yours is the correct/current rule, I'm just putting out feelers so I don't mess with anyone's creative copyright. The biggest issue I have with checking any textures for free use is I no longer have any idea where I got them. I've spent the majority of the last 2-1/2 years trying to "reclaim" my life after the stroke, so to speak.

 

As far as I know, Rabbit 51, these weapons have never been created in-game. But who knows for certain. I've missed a lot in the world of Skyrim. And their models as probably better than mine if they have been. Since they have never been mods and I created the models, there are no readme's for me to check. I plan on being pretty liberal with the model's use after I release them as I have pretty limited skills (i.e. I don't really care what you do with them because I don't know how much help I can be outside of what I know). That's why I have been going between releasing them as a resource and releasing them as a mod. I'm aware of the "ask the creator" rule, and I would always do that, I was just concerned with converting someone else's artwork into a model and using it. But I appreciate the response. The more knowledge passed along, the better I'll feel about whatever my decision is.

 

Edit: Hmmm. Based on TairaNoritsune's reply, I may have some more looking to do as I planned on uploading them here.

Edited July 29, 2018 by Skinjack