I recently got into an argument with someone over steam over fair use. I downloaded someone's weapon pack, removed the lua scripts, the models that weren't used in his weapon pack, the textures that weren't used in his weapon pack, and the sounds that weren't used in his weapon pack, and then uploaded the remaining assets to the steam workshop as server content so my clients don't have to download 20MB of content that they don't need to download.
To be clear, server content is the FastDL equivalent of garrysmod. Instead of paying for FastDL or having to purchase a server host, you could just force people to subscribe to the addon ( This isn't a malicious thing, see: [url]https://wiki.garrysmod.com/page/Workshop_for_Dedicated_Servers[/url] ). If you're using FastDL or a direct download from the server, it's pretty much the same thing except it's displayed on the workshop.
The owner discovered that this server content pack, and started complaining that I stole his addon. He's claiming that he owns the assets in that weapon pack that that I "should remove it now". This is a conundrum considering that online modding is a complicated thing, and the whole situation is hypocritical.
His weapon pack contains:
- An uncredited m9k weapon base, with small edits.
- An uncredited weapon model pack download from the garrysmod.org workshop ripped from a game company.
- Multiple Uncredited sounds ripped from a game company.
My server pack contains:
- All of the above.
Here's a visual diagram for visual learners of where his content (Person A) and my content (Person B) came from:
[t]http://i.imgur.com/bPvf4Rw.png[/t]
My defense towards him for having his assets is that it's a server content pack. I argued that he should also complain to anyone who's installed his addon for their server because they might also be distributing his assets without his permission via FastDL or direct download. His lua files are also being distributed when the client is connected to the server. I don't have those lua files in my server content pack, anyways. Without the lua files, it's effectively useless as a content pack unless you want the models he ripped from garrysmod.org or the viewmodels that really do nothing (unless you make your weapon pack and suffer a potential steam workshop takedown).
Not a good argument on my behalf, to be honest. I'm arguing that "Ripping off of content is fine, if the average person can't use it and that it's meant for server content."
So what's everyone's thoughts? Doesn't have to be on this specific situation, could be thoughts on what should be considered fair use.
I think the only people that have any "rights" are the people that actually created the assets, and I think that people who make derivatives of those assets have a right to ask the derivative work not be distributed, but you have a right to not comply because that's just the nature of modding. They didn't create the original work, and I very much doubt they have the original creator's blessings for themselves.
I'd credit them though.
[QUOTE=man with hat;50687296]I think that people who make derivatives of those assets have a right to ask the derivative work not be distributed, but you have a right to not comply because that's just the nature of modding[/QUOTE]
it depends on the license, sometimes this is not okay to do this.
however, this is a garry's mod addon we're talking about. nothing is going to happen to you, except it being removed from the workshop from a false copyright or something. worst case scenario.
if you are really that concerned though, just use his unedited addon. it's just 20 megabytes.
In this scenario OP, person A has no rights to take down your content.
Firstly, your content, while being 100% derived from his content, does not contain all of his content nor any of the functionality of his content.
Secondly, none of the content was his in the first place. If he wants to pull the "this is mine" card, ask him who made the models he downloaded from garrysmod.org. Ask him who made m9k? Ask him what sort of microphone he used to record the gunfire from (insert weapon name here). As you've already told us all he did was make some modifications and filled it with unused content, if he says that "He" made any of it, just ignore him.
I doubt he created the original assets so I don't see how he has any say in it.
Strictly speaking content packs (combining or stripping addons into one or multiple parts) are actually against the gmod workshop rules, but it isn't enforced so no one cares.
[url]http://wiki.garrysmod.com/page/Steam_Workshop_Rules[/url]
I have a lot of custom content on my servers and when people try to rip it off and steal I will have it taken down without hesitation, but I also don't put it on workshop for anyone to find. I wouldn't say there's any right answer in your situation other then it's best to just avoid it.
[QUOTE=unrezt;50687758]I doubt he created the original assets so I don't see how he has any say in it.
Strictly speaking content packs (combining or stripping addons into one or multiple parts) are actually against the gmod workshop rules, but it isn't enforced so no one cares.
[url]http://wiki.garrysmod.com/page/Steam_Workshop_Rules[/url][/QUOTE]
What does this mean for server content?
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/browse/?appid=4000&requiredtags[]=ServerContent[/url]
It would be fair to say that more than 75% of content under this category is stolen from addons.
I would argue that you should be able to do what you did even if the workshop host of the original addon you did this with is 100% the author:
The addon is available for free on the workshop, meaning it can be used for free. What you did was download the addon, removed the things you don't need and then installed it on your server. For the addon to work, content must be sent to the client. You chose to not send the original addon, but your stripped version. The reason is clear and valid: less for the clients to download, with all the benefits that that brings.
You have no intent of re-releasing it, and that's an important factor. You don't try to claim credit, you aren't trying to "steal" subscriptions from the original addon. You merely use the workshop to send content to the clients. This is exactly what the ServerContent section on the workshop is for, iirc. If you were to publish the addon on under any other label, you would be in the wrong, but with this merely being ServerContent I don't think you are.
If I'm right and the case is as clear cut as I make it out to be, then the whole "who made what" hypocrisy argument would not even be needed to defend your case.
Would it be wrong to have a huge box around all of that labeled as "Garry's Mod" and another around that labeled "Half-Life" and another around that labeled as "Source Engine"
Only the TRUE creator of something or those authorized to use said material should have the rights to remove someones content. The workshop is meant to be a free place for users to download mods.
This is one of the reasons why Steam removed their "paid-mods" system on the workshop...
I reuploaded a SCars model that that Jesse guy had made but he removed his from the Workshop for some reason. It used models ripped from Stalker and some lua code, I used the same ripped models he did and modified the lua files to my server needs and he filled a Steam DMCA against it and I lost.
So take what you want from that with a pinch of salt.
(one of the reasons I no longer support SCars in my addons)
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