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Showing content with the highest reputation on 03/11/2024 in Blog Comments

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    I don't know what was in the full original description of your mod, so I'm assuming the permission consisted only of what was written in the post. You're right in saying that 'using the work in a mod' does not mean that 'uploading the work unchanged by itself' is okay, and that the person in question misinterpreted your permissions. But speaking generally about permissions, I think there may be a flaw in your logic, SH. Since there are no universal written rules and explanations about what proper modding etiquette is, different people may understand it differently. For example, my experience with permissions comes mostly from using models from Sketchfab and similar sites. Many models are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CCA). In the Comments section under models, in addition to discussions, advices and screenshots of a model ported into the game, sometimes polite people also ask about permission to use the model in video, games, etc. And I noticed that some authors responded with something like “Yes, that’s why I specifically published the model with a free license. Why are you still asking? Just use it already however you like". And it’s easy to understand why: the authors release dozens of models, hundreds of people download them, even if every 100th asks for obvious things (about permissions when they are written on the page), it will become annoying. At the same time, I've seen some modders (retired and active) respond that they don't care/are not interested in what people do with their old mods as they move on. Some authors ask to inform them about the use of their work in other mods because they are interested, but others do not specify anything at all and I wonder if they will be bothered if I write to them about some years-old model? Since then, I've taken a stance: if the modder has allowed everyone to use the mod/model, then be grateful, respect the author and their time, and don't bother them unless you have something to say/to show. In my opinion, it would be better to thank the modder and show them how their work helped create a great new mod, than to ask for permissions (which are already given in the Readme), waste the person's time, create expectations and then fail to produce anything. Modders in the KOTOR community usually don't publish mods under licenses, but the terms 'You can use/modify the mod, just credit the author' written on the mod page or in the Readme file can be considered the equivalent of CCA license. It does not impose any obligations other than “attribution.” If the mod author does not specify additional requirements/wishes, then the user (especially if he is not an active member of the community) may not be able to know their preferences and will have to rely on his own inner judgment. Whether he contact the mod author before or after the release, or not at all, depends on the user. To avoid misunderstandings about 'permissions', modders should write their requirements as clearly as possible, so that there is no potential ambiguity, and expect users to do only what is written in the permissions.