Copyright Rules (UPDATED: Jan 12, 2018)

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Culvar
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by Culvar »

Maveritchell wrote:
Culvar wrote:Would borrowing 2 parts the armor texture(The main torso piece and that backpack thing) from the Halo CE marine be violating the terms?
It is against their EULA, I'm sure, and it's also against our rules. A good rule of thumb for future questions like this is this: "If you're not sure about it, don't use it." I promise you that you won't break any GT rules if you follow that simple one.
Alright. Seems that Boba's FP view texture looks better than a dated 2001 one anyways. =P
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by mswf »

Culvar wrote:
Maveritchell wrote:
Culvar wrote:Would borrowing 2 parts the armor texture(The main torso piece and that backpack thing) from the Halo CE marine be violating the terms?
It is against their EULA, I'm sure, and it's also against our rules. A good rule of thumb for future questions like this is this: "If you're not sure about it, don't use it." I promise you that you won't break any GT rules if you follow that simple one.
Alright. Seems that Boba's FP view texture looks better than a dated 2001 one anyways. =P
See, that's the spirit! :thumbs:
Hidden/Spoiler:
Honestly, you found a great alternative.
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Is it legal to use these files?

Post by linksith »

Is it illegal to use targa files from a model that was ripped from another game and use them to re-skin an SWBF2 model? Thanks for the help.
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Re: Is it legal to use these files?

Post by DarthD.U.C.K. »

take a look at that it will answer your question
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by linksith »

Teancum wrote:Commercial Games (non-Star Wars)
  • Leave it be - There are too many "What If" questions when we talk about other intellectual properties (such as Halo or Half-Life). If you want to make the model/map/texture/sound yourself and put it Battlefront that's fine. Don't take commercial assets from non Star Wars games. Let's just leave that hornet's nest alone. Little bitty stuff here and there (a few sounds, part of a few textures) we will overlook. More than that might raise a red flag.

Could I use things if I got the company's permission?
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by Teancum »

Nope. Mostly becuase all too often rumors circulate that a company already gave permission --or-- people try to get permission, but the company never replies. If you have to use anything, (and you're encouraged to find free alternatives first) it's gotta be Lucasarts/Star Wars.
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Re: Is it legal to use these files?

Post by CressAlbane »

Little bitty stuff here and there (a few sounds, part of a few textures)
So if you use only as much as needed then you're probably fine.
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Re: Is it legal to use these files?

Post by RogueKnight »

CressAlbane wrote:
Little bitty stuff here and there (a few sounds, part of a few textures)
So if you use only as much as needed then you're probably fine.
Which really isn't even needed, there is ALWAYS an alternative.
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by CommanderFixer »

So is my map a good example of copyright? I have Darth D.U.C.K.'s Nar Shaddaa buildings, which are the souls of my map, I am very sure it's Ace or AQT who owns the Storm trooper legions skin pack, and I don't know who to credit for the BF1 Tatooine and Bespin assets, because it was uploaded by a member of GT, and created by Pandemic. Should I credit both? Oh, of course, Rend's assets are going to be a lifesaver. I might as well give thanks to all of you for the support when I worked on my first map, and welcoming me here. Let's hope I can remember all your usernames. :eek: :bowdown:
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by lucasfart »

You only need to credit people who were directly involved in making the models/textures/whatever you used. You can credit a GT member for uploading it, but i honestly think that's totally unnecessary, although there's nothing wrong with thanking them. It sounds like your map is totally fine, as you only used models which were on this site.
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by Frisbeetarian »

lucasfart wrote:but i honestly think that's totally unnecessary
You can think what you will, the rules are still the rules.
Respect the original authors, whether they be professionals or a community member
...
ALWAYS credit original authors - And do so in a thankful way. For instance: "Thanks to Lucasarts for the Concussion Rifle sounds. I couldn't make it without their hard work." You'll find kindness will grease a lot more wheels.
Side Note: I'm just making sure this clear. I could have misinterpreted your meaning.
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by lucasfart »

I actually meant crediting people who reupload the assets is unnecesary, not creting the creator :wink:
Sorry if my original post sounded like that, and its definitely NOT what I meant, and i guess most people got that since nobody corrected me.
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Using non-sw/game music in a mod

Post by jdee/barc »

I've been pondering this idea for a bit and I haven't started it yet because I want to know if its okay to do or not. Is it okay to take music from a released album and use it as the soundtrack music for a mod?

(The music is from Earl Sweatshirt's album/mixtape "Earl"
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Re: Using non-sw/game music in a mod

Post by Noobasaurus »

As long as it's for non-commercial use, sure.
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Re: Using non-sw/game music in a mod

Post by Marth8880 »

Play any Dann Boeing maps lately? ;)
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SOE Replies to SWG model uses in other games

Post by icemember »

SOE replies to using Star Wars Galaxies models in other games.
Here's the exact wording of their email.

REPLY 1
Greetings icemember,

Thank you for contacting Sony Online Entertainment. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow in-game content to be given or to be used outside of the original game. This violates copyrights for Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please let me know.

Answer Title: Contacting Customer Service
Answer Link: http://help.station.sony.com/app/answer ... a_id/10404

Regards,
TSR Tim A.

Contact SOE Account, Billing, and Technical Support
Phone, Chat, and Email: http://help.station.sony.com/app/answer ... a_id/28939
REPLY 2
Hello icemember,

Unfortunately they do not accept emails. You can send them a physical mail to the following address though.

Sony Online Entertainment
Legal Department
8928 Terman Court
San Diego, CA 92121

Phone: 858-577-3100

Regards,

Edward R
Senior Technical Support Agent
Sony Online Entertainment
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by Teancum »

New copyright rule posted, allowing access to many of Microsoft Game Studios' assets per their official stance:
Commercial Games (non-Star Wars)
  • Microsoft Game Studios - According to Microsoft's Game Content Usage Rules (see here and here) usage of likenesses and assets of characters/weapons/etc from certain Microsoft Game Studios games (including Halo, see second link) are free for use in non-commercial, non-profit settings
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Re: NEW POLICY: Copyright Rules

Post by Teancum »

I have reopened this topic for discussion. The following section has been added to our Copyright Rules in the first post.
Copyright Rules wrote: We have been asked to make a specific list of what Star Wars games are fair game to convert from, so here goes:

OKAY TO CONVERT (provided you credit the creators)
  • Anything released in 2006 and older - these games make very little money for Disney/Lucasfilm. Some are sold digitally via Steam, but these are largely off the radar for their publisher/IP holder.
  • Community created models from other games - please try to get permission
  • The Star Wars Battlefront III Alpha - abandoned game that Disney/Lucasfilm has no interest in
  • Star Wars: Galaxies and Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures - both MMOs are no longer active
  • Star Wars: The Force Unleashed series (PS2/Wii only) - The PS2/Wii versions were only offered on a disc and are no longer sold new, but the other version (PS3/360/PC) is still being actively sold digitally.
  • PSP-exclusive Star Wars games - Lethal Alliance, Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, and Battlefront: Elite Squadron. These are no longer available for purchase (at least brand new), and the PSP is no longer supported by Sony (in other words, it's a "dead" system)


DO NOT CONVERT
  • Star Wars Battlefront 2015/EA - It's too new. Companies are actively trying to make money from this game
  • Star Wars: The Force Unleashed series (360/PS3/PC) - EXCEPT where that model was in the SWBF3 Alpha leak. Again, these are still being sold digitally
  • Kinect Star Wars - too new, still being sold digitally
  • LEGO games - Due to the LEGO group probably holding some portion of that copyright, all games are still being sold digitally
  • Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC MMORPG) - too new, servers still online
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Re: Copyright Rules (UPDATED: Feb 16, 2016)

Post by giftheck »

If we were to make Lego models from scratch would that still be too much of a grey area to allow?

Also, I would assume mobile games/free-to-play games are off the table as being too new IE no Commander or Uprising conversions.
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Re: Copyright Rules (UPDATED: Feb 16, 2016)

Post by Maveritchell »

Almost nothing you personally make is going to step on toes.

If you're considering a game that's not explicitly listed, then use the general rule of thumb "Is it newer than any of the allowed games?" If it is, then don't use it.
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