Difference between revisions of "Mod Content Usage"

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(Created page with "== Using Content From Other Mods == It's a sad fact, but in some cases content is also being lifted from one mod to another. It's often a misconception that just because a mo...")
 
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{{warning|The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Instead, this article is for general informational purposes only.}}
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== Using Content From Other Mods ==
 
== Using Content From Other Mods ==
  
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It's a sad fact, but in some cases content is also being lifted from one mod to another. It's often a misconception that just because a mod is free to download, its contents are also free for you to take and choose from as you wish.
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Unfortunately in some cases content is being lifted from one mod to another. It is a common misconception that just because a mod is free, its contents are also free for anyone to take and use.
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Even if a mod is free, the creators of any original work included within it (sounds, models, story, maps) have the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright copyright] to their work. This is true whether you are a high-school student, an adult or a corporation. Every author gains these rights by default when they create their work. They also have the law behind them if they decide to take issue with anything being used without permission.
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The authors can decide who may use their work and how it can be used. If you see something in another mod that you want to use in your own mod, you should contact the mod creator and ask for permission.
  
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Even if a mod is free or not, the creators of any original work included within it (sounds, materials, models) own the copyright for their work. This is true if you are a high-school kid, a corporation, or just some other modder who puts stuff together for fun. Every author gains these rights by default when they create their work.
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== Attaching a license to your mod ==
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Despite owning the copyright to your work, you might want to attach additional licensing information to your content.
  
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The authors alone can decide how and who may use their work and have the law behind them should they decide to take issue of anything used without permission. If you see something in another mod that would be of use to you in your own mod or map, your first step should be to contact the mod creator and then specifically ask of the item your after. They and they alone can give you permission to use their work.
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If you create content for mods and don't mind other people using your content (which benefits the community), it could save you the trouble of answering requests if you release your works under a Creative Commons license. See the [http://creativecommons.org/choose/?lang=en official Creative Commons website] to select a license for your works.
  
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If you create contents for mods and don't mind other people using your content, then it could save a lot of trouble and benefit the community as a whole if you release your works under a Creative Commons license. See the [http://creativecommons.org/choose/?lang=en Official Website] to select a License for your works.
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Keep in mind that you can license elements of your work under different licenses. Unless you put something under a free license, it can be argued that it defaults to being copyrigted. For example, you give a free license to the assets you made, but the maps, writing and everything else is still copyrighted. If you want to be safe about this however, it might be worth to note that in your license file, e.g. ''"Everything else is copyrighted unless noted otherwise"''.
  
 
== Using Content From Other Games ==
 
== Using Content From Other Games ==
  
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Simply don't do it without a proper permission.
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Don't use content from other games without a proper permission.
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The copyright information from the previous section is just as much in effect with commercial games. More importantly however, you are also under an End User License Agreement(EULA). EULAs usually forbid decompiling/modifying/re-distributing the game's content.
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Keep in mind that most services (e.g. ModDB, Steam) will remove your work if it gets reported for containing infringing content (and actually contains it).
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This of course also applies to using assets made by Frictional Games in mods for other games or your own games.
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== Frictional Games' Stance on Content Monetisation==
  
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The copyright discussion above is just as much in effect with commercial games, and you are also under an End User License Agreement(EULA). EULAs usually forbid decompiling/modifying/re-distributing the game's content.
 
  
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If your mod has a forum where users can post models, make sure they don't post copyright infringing content. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), once a web host finds/is notified of infringing material on their site, they are obliged to remove it or they must face liability for copyright infringement.  
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{{warning|'''Any content made on the HPL engines must be non-commercial.''' <sup>[[https://frictionalgames.com/general-faq/ source]]</sup>}}
  
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So if you let your users post infringing content (such as content from other games), not only the users but you can be accused.
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The following seem to be allowed. Keep in mind that they are not ''officially'' condoned, however.
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*Accepting donations, for example one-time donations or ongoing donations on Patreon, or ad revenue from hosting your mod on a site. However, none of the content (made in HPL) can be behind a paywall, for example for Patrons/donors only, or providing additional in-game content to Patrons.
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*Paying someone to ''work'' on a mod. The key difference between selling your content and selling your services is that your creations are not being sold more than once.
  
 
[[Category:Modding]]
 
[[Category:Modding]]

Latest revision as of 18:28, 8 April 2021

Alert icon.png Warning: The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Instead, this article is for general informational purposes only.

Using Content From Other Mods

Unfortunately in some cases content is being lifted from one mod to another. It is a common misconception that just because a mod is free, its contents are also free for anyone to take and use.

Even if a mod is free, the creators of any original work included within it (sounds, models, story, maps) have the copyright to their work. This is true whether you are a high-school student, an adult or a corporation. Every author gains these rights by default when they create their work. They also have the law behind them if they decide to take issue with anything being used without permission.

The authors can decide who may use their work and how it can be used. If you see something in another mod that you want to use in your own mod, you should contact the mod creator and ask for permission.

Attaching a license to your mod

Despite owning the copyright to your work, you might want to attach additional licensing information to your content.

If you create content for mods and don't mind other people using your content (which benefits the community), it could save you the trouble of answering requests if you release your works under a Creative Commons license. See the official Creative Commons website to select a license for your works.

Keep in mind that you can license elements of your work under different licenses. Unless you put something under a free license, it can be argued that it defaults to being copyrigted. For example, you give a free license to the assets you made, but the maps, writing and everything else is still copyrighted. If you want to be safe about this however, it might be worth to note that in your license file, e.g. "Everything else is copyrighted unless noted otherwise".

Using Content From Other Games

Don't use content from other games without a proper permission.

The copyright information from the previous section is just as much in effect with commercial games. More importantly however, you are also under an End User License Agreement(EULA). EULAs usually forbid decompiling/modifying/re-distributing the game's content.

Keep in mind that most services (e.g. ModDB, Steam) will remove your work if it gets reported for containing infringing content (and actually contains it).

This of course also applies to using assets made by Frictional Games in mods for other games or your own games.

Frictional Games' Stance on Content Monetisation

Alert icon.png Warning: Any content made on the HPL engines must be non-commercial. [source]

The following seem to be allowed. Keep in mind that they are not officially condoned, however.

  • Accepting donations, for example one-time donations or ongoing donations on Patreon, or ad revenue from hosting your mod on a site. However, none of the content (made in HPL) can be behind a paywall, for example for Patrons/donors only, or providing additional in-game content to Patrons.
  • Paying someone to work on a mod. The key difference between selling your content and selling your services is that your creations are not being sold more than once.
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