Copyrights on mods

[DragonRider]

This is something I've been wanting to get a clear answer for a while now.

Short story:

Can I post my collection of Freelancer graphics mods here?
The content is not made by me. Some files are modified by me. I will give credit to the original creators* and I will not claim ownership of anything.
Can I only give credit or do I have to seek approval from the original creators?

*there are some files I have no idea where the heck I got them from, so I can't credit those


Long story:

Over the years I've played Freelancer and Discovery I've collected a lot of mods. Textures, effects, interfaces, sound. Nothing is made by me, however some files are modified by me. I've made it into a pack, so I can easly back it up and install it. I haven't made any attempts to actually post it because It's not 100% my work.

However recently I've seen a number of people asking for a "HD Freelancer pack". Something good looking and easy to install - just like the swag pack. I have no problem recommending the swag pack, but I thing that my collection is somewhat special. At least to me.

I've spent so many hours trying to perfect every last detail, the way I like it. Eventually what I ended up was a remastered collection of mods, modified in such a way that it looks like "the best" Freelancer can look like.

What I want to do is just share it. Without claiming anything as my own.


Final note

I want to avoid any conflicts. I don't want to be the buy that "posted my mod as his own!".
I also do not want to compete with The Swag pack. I see that as it's own thing and respect the work that got into making it.
Let me know if you, the community, is ok with this.

Make sure none of the graphic mods edit INI files, if you want to use them here!

---

Ultimate Freelancer Graphics and SFX Pack

[The Savage]

It's tricky question, because mods, due to their nature, cannot be copyrighted - it would meet with sues from creators of the game.

Or CC License is in use here?

[jammi]

When people talk about copyright on mods, it's usually less in terms of legality and more in terms of displaying common decency to the authors / not being blacklisted from the relevant communities for plagiarism.

I'd recommend trying to contact the relevant mod authors and asking for permission to rehost their work. If you've taken reasonable steps and they're no longer able to be contacted (left the original communities where they produced the work), it'd probably be fine to rehost it provided to give explicit credit to the original author.

If still in doubt, make a thread on The Starport.

---

News article library, feedback and content requests.

[Malmsteen]

I'd recommend trying to contact the relevant mod authors and asking for permission to rehost their work.

Best thing to do sir

[Alestone]

Original content is automatically copyrighted in the USA; the fact that it is derived work means that you need to be explicit that the work is derived, and what the source is.

As a pertinent example, any models that are CREATED for the game by an individual are copyright to that individual. If they distribute that model for a specific purpose, such as creating the necessary data to use the ship in Freelancer, then the documentation should state explicit copyright information relating to the various content producers. Your relationship to the people that you distribute, such as an unrestricted license, are between you and the people you distribute to.

TL;DR - You own the copyright of your original creations, Microsoft owns Freelancer.

---

Alestone Enterprises

The Power To Get You There!

[Swallow]

M&B Gekokujo mod has a sub-mod which is a compilation of many different neat small mods, and author states that he ONLY compiled (and polished everything to work together) them, giving credits to the original authors.

I think that if you put everywhere the credits to original authors then it is okay.

---

FL MOD(EL)MAKING: TOOLS, RESOURCES, TUTORIALS AND MY SHIPS (OLD)

I am on discord: Roal-Yr#5994, I don't log on forum more than a few times a year.

I am not making ships for FL anymore, I am making my own space game instead:
https://github.com/roalyr/GDTLancer
https://roal-yr.itch.io/gdtlancer
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5HQB...cdH45LZgjj

[TheShooter36]

i made a mod with ship models taken from different authors. I credited them and there isnt any problem for 1.5 years in swat-portal.

---

[DragonRider]

I'd recommend trying to contact the relevant mod authors and asking for permission to rehost their work.

Yeah. I think that's the best course of action.

---

Ultimate Freelancer Graphics and SFX Pack

[The Savage]

Original content is automatically copyrighted in the USA(...)

The problem is, server is in France, so it falls under French law right now.

[Alestone]

The server falls under French law, but the copyrights of individual creators falls under the country where they claim citizenship.

Copyright law is applied through the residence of the creator, then through the treaties between nations. As a result, the application of French law is secondary to the law of the nation that the creator of the content resides in.

This being the case, unless the creator completely relinquishes their rights to Discovery, they remain the owner. Therefore, the use of their material on the server is a matter of licensing. That license may be nothing more than an agreement of use, or may be more convoluted, but it does not abrogate the creator's rights under the law of the country where they claim citizenship.