Can I go into any mod and extract modder resources that were used?

[bbstrobls]

Hello, this is question to moderators. Is it acceptable to take a resource out of a mod knowing that resource was originally freely available/modders resource.

 

I read on this site that copyright is maintained and users who use a certain resource cannot change the copyright. If the resource was free to use to begin with that means even if the mod has certain set of permissions that one piece of the mod (the resource) remains with that specific permission and should or could be removed out of the mod and re-used using the same permission/copyright.

 

Please advise. Thank you!

 

I am trying to build a creature mod and I find that there are a number of modder resources that were deleted but still available in other mods and the mods even specify that piece of the mod was a modder resource.

[AGreatWeight]

If it can be proven that the particular asset you want to use is a freely-distributable resource (and you make sure that you're only using that resource, as it was originally distributed via the host site, and not using any additional work that the mod author made to it) then the answer would likely be yes.

However, how you'd go about proving that a particular asset is actually a freely-distributable resource, when that resource is no longer available via it's original source, is another matter entirely, and is the proverbial fly-in-the-ointment of this situation. Could you actually prove it, if challenged by the site moderators?

Perhaps site admin can advise you better.

[bbstrobls]

If it can be proven that the particular asset you want to use is a freely-distributable resource (and you make sure that you're only using that resource, as it was originally distributed via the host site, and not using any additional work that the mod author made to it) then the answer would likely be yes.

However, how you'd go about proving that a particular asset is actually a freely-distributable resource, when that resource is no longer available via it's original source, is another matter entirely, and is the proverbial fly-in-the-ointment of this situation. Could you actually prove it, if challenged by the site moderators?

Perhaps site admin can advise you better.

 

In this case it can be proven by 3 ways:

1. the description specifically states that component is a modder resource

2. the resource will have a date on it like a timestamp if unmodified that will be different than the rest of the mod files showing that indeed this content was used as is.

3. alternatively you could compare each files manually (nifskope, sounds, textures) between 2 or more mods that use same resource and if changes are very minimal it should still be usable. legally you have to change something enough to be considered new work. if you simply change the texture location is not really an asset modification but more like adapting/transforming the asset to your project. if you add a new texture, new sound or new pieces in the 3d mesh then is modified.

 

These 3 points would be very strong indication that the asset was created before the mod and the asset was free to use as a modder resource

 

Still need advice on this though

Edited August 4, 2019 by bbstrobls

[Rabbit1251]

This probably does not answer you question, but to clarify you are pretty much free to do with the mods whatever that you want to just as long as it's for your own use and not to be posted on the Nexus or els3ewharer.

 

 

The Rabbit

[Thandal]

@bbstrobls; The "fly in the ointment" as @AGreatWeight pointed out, is proving that permission to use and, most importantly, redistribute the resource in question was in fact granted by its original author. A statement by another claiming that the item in question is a free-to-use "modder's resource" is not sufficient. If the original, (with its associated permissions statement) is no longer available, then perhaps you could contact that author another way to gain permission. Not what you wanted to hear, I know, but we're very particular about authors' rights here

 

Extract from our TaP:

 

Usage and Accreditation

User submissions which include copyrighted content, be it game files or images, are prohibited unless proper permission has been granted by the property owner or appropriate representation. Such content may be removed from Nexus Mods websites and services and the infringing user account might be subject to administrative action as described in our Moderation Policy.

Submissions must conform to the following guidelines:

• Submission of existing user-submitted content without obtaining permission from the original author(s) of said content is strictly prohibited.

 

For this discussion, the key word in that last sentence is "original".

[Rabbit1251]

One time I used a mod that I kinda liked. Over time I came to recognize that the rooms were exactly the ones used in the Creation Kit tutorial. I merely removed all of the offending stuff that he had added, altered the layout a little, and ended up wit a really smashing home for my Avatar!!

 

Didn't post it, of course.

 

 

The Rabbit

[bbstrobls]

This probably does not answer you question, but to clarify you are pretty much free to do with the mods whatever that you want to just as long as it's for your own use and not to be posted on the Nexus or els3ewharer.

 

 

The Rabbit

Thank you Rabbit,not what I wanted to hear but that clarifies things. :)

[Rabbit1251]

"els3ewharer".

 

 

The Rabbit

 

Damn my eyes. Here I go spelling like a Third Grader!! My apologies.

 

 

The Rabbit