I have a question regarding asset use and compatibility patches

[mysteriousman121]

Hi I have recently published a fallout new vegas mod called Armor matters an Armor overhaul which alters the DT and DR on pretty much every piece of armor in the game both vanilla and added by other mods.

Unfortunately due to it's very nature, it's incompatible with JSawyer Ultimate Edition which is a rather popular mod.

 

So I would very much like to address this by publishing an optional patch that let's users use my DT and DR balance, but keeps all of JSaywer's other features in tact. The problem is that the patch that I have created(but not published) relies on modifying some of JSawyer's scripts(which are mod assets right?).

Now I have tried contacting the mod's author to ask for permission but it's been 3 days and I haven't gotten a reply.

So while I understand that I am probably being very impatient, I am going to ask anyway is there some kind of community guideline on asset use when all you are doing is creating a compatibility patch?

Or are my only options to wait for a reply from the author or figuring out a way to create a compatibility patch that does not modify(and therefore use) any of JSaywer's assets.

[M48A5]

The answer is very straight-forward.

 

You cannot upload any files of any kind that uses assets of another author's mod without said author's permission.

[mysteriousman121]

The answer is very straight-forward.

 

You cannot upload any files of any kind that uses assets of another author's mod without said author's permission.

 

Thanks for the answer, I should have figured as much.

[dubiousintent]

While M48A5 is not wrong, this situation appears to me to be a bit more nuanced. A "patch" is not exactly the same thing as "using" assets from another in one's own mod. It is providing a separately published, individual option to modify such asset in the original. That is what patches do. As long as you are clear that the patch is your own work and not supported by the original author, they tend to be acceptable to the community because their use is voluntary.

 

I suggest that:

1. You wait at least a week (or however long the author suggests on the mod page) for a response. (If it were you and you had moved on to other projects, you would want more time to consider and perhaps do some investigation, before responding wouldn't you? And JSawyer is a professional developer with work commitments.) Two weeks is more reasonable. The world has waited this long for your idea; it can wait another couple of weeks.

 

2. PM a moderator with a description of what you have "patched" and how you have gone about it, to get the official response from Nexus. They are the ones who have to protect the site from legal hassles, and if it passes muster with them you are probably good from a legal standpoint. (But only "probably", as lawyers make their money from splitting hairs.)

 

-Dubious-

[mysteriousman121]

While M48A5 is not wrong, this situation appears to me to be a bit more nuanced. A "patch" is not exactly the same thing as "using" assets from another in one's own mod. It is providing a separately published, individual option to modify such asset in the original. That is what patches do. As long as you are clear that the patch is your own work and not supported by the original author, they tend to be acceptable to the community because their use is voluntary.

 

I suggest that:

1. You wait at least a week (or however long the author suggests on the mod page) for a response. (If it were you and you had moved on to other projects, you would want more time to consider and perhaps do some investigation, before responding wouldn't you? And JSawyer is a professional developer with work commitments.) Two weeks is more reasonable. The world has waited this long for your idea; it can wait another couple of weeks.

 

2. PM a moderator with a description of what you have "patched" and how you have gone about it, to get the official response from Nexus. They are the ones who have to protect the site from legal hassles, and if it passes muster with them you are probably good from a legal standpoint. (But only "probably", as lawyers make their money from splitting hairs.)

 

-Dubious-

 

Thank you for the reply.

On your first point I was referring to JSawyer Ultimate Edition which is a complete recreation of the original JSawyer mod by PushTheWinButton. Not that it changes much in regards to me needing to be more patient.

So I will wait for at the very least the 1 week threshold to pass.

 

If that ends up not working I will try to go with your 2nd suggestion.

Edited February 18, 2020 by mysteriousman121