Those of you who have uploaded files: have you checked your files the last couple days?
Apparently, there's a new category in the attributes section; where we're supposed to fill out legal stuff. Reuse/reupload, "credit", and other such.
So... I guess now just having it in your readme isn't good enough. Best part?
"If you have received permission to use someone elses assets in your files you should always credit them.
If you don't credit assets you've used from other users you will be considered a thief and you're likely to be banned; so it's very important you credit the work of others that you have used."
So if you uploaded companions that include custom hair or eyes? Best get on that.
If you can actually get to your files to update them, anyway. Seems that yet again, the Nexus is overloaded and about three out of every four attempts I make to load or update a page result in a server timeout.
Not that anyone will actually pay attention to your permission settings when they're stealing your work and reuploading it someplace else as their own.
See, I saw that junk popping up as I was DLing things yesterday, but it doesn't stay visible long enough for me to really read it.
ReplyDeleteNow that I know what to look for, I see it under the "file options" heading, but I'm still trying to figure out what to do to actually add this information to files I've already uploaded.
And yeah, it's kinda goofy that things like Ren's Hair Pack that have been around almost as long as Oblivion itself and are used by virtually everyone now could cause our files to be yanked.
Next thing you know, the Nexus will require that we get written permission from Bethesda Softworks themselves before we upload mods of their copyrighted game...
Actually the Bethsoft thing has come up before, and as I recall, we're allowed to upload modified forms of original game resources; provided they're uploaded for the original game ONLY.
ReplyDeleteThat is to say, FO3 meshes are fine for FO3, but not for Oblivion, and so on. That said, there are some Oblivion parts floatin' about for FO3... so I'm not sure. Mods are supposed to be specifically OK'd, as well.
I'm pretty sure it's covered by the labyrinthine EULA, but my legalese isn't very good. I personally believe the world would be a better place if we handled legal challenges like Mongols - with sharp pieces of metal and a celebratory banquet for the survivor.
You edit the settings for your files on the attributes page - the same one that has file version, author, details, and such. Scroll waaaaay down to the bottom; you'll see a bunch of pink boxes.
According to the Nexus notice thread I was reading earlier, apparently they've had to take these steps because non-modders are ripping off FO3 mods and "converting" them to NV constantly; then uploading the files as "new" mods. One guy even pronounced that permissions didn't matter - there were files that had to be converted, no matter what their authors thought.
Also seems to be a large number of people that think if you aren't around to answer their PM, your work is fair game.
Found it under "edit attributes". I guess now I have to take time to deal with this nonsense for each of my uploads. The bright side I suppose is that doing so should bump them back up to visibility on the "recently updated" list and maybe earn them a couple of new DLs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I went through and did all of mine in one go. Figured I may as well get them all before I forget.
ReplyDeleteNot that I care much whether they get deleted at the moment, but that may presumably change someday.
Well, it seems a simple enough task to copy the credits and thanks from my readmes and paste them into the little boxes, so I guess I won't gripe too much about it even though, as you pointed out, all that info is already in the readme anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd I suppose it's a good thing in the long run so that when "Joe Cool's RR Scouts for New Vegas" eventually pops up I can be a beotch and get Joe Cool banned. Great fun, that is...
You both know as well as I do that a lot of people (okay, most people) don't bother to even ackowledge that the readme file exists, let alone read the freaking thing; why else does Nos get all those blasted complaints about things not working "properly".
ReplyDelete@Michelle:
ReplyDeleteTrue, but we keep on dreaming...
Actually, my point Miss Michelle is that people who ignore readmes aren't likely to read the legal/credits section of a file either.
ReplyDeleteThis move is going to prevent two things: Jack and Shit. It doesn't change ownership; or crediting. The process will still be exactly the same when something does get stolen.
The only difference now is that people who have uploaded multiple files already have to go through their old documentation, and dig up credits and ownership to enter into boxes or risk getting banned.
It's a colossal waste of time that's going to benefit exactly no one.
Hanging around the Nexus is beginning to feel like dealing with the Federal Government.
Shhh! Don't give them any ideas! Next thing you know I won't be able to upload any files without three forms of ID and a signature from a Notary!
ReplyDelete"I'm sorry, but your request to upload those companions has been denied due to your inability to produce a valid modder's license and your proof of insurance has expired..."
"I'm sorry, but your request to upload those companions has been denied due to your inability to produce a valid modder's license and your proof of insurance has expired..."
ReplyDeleteI'd laugh, but give it five years and I can totally see that happening.
Have you fine folks looked at the forum thread regarding this subject lately?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/254361-new-distribution-permissions-options-for-all-files/
There are members writing nearly full-page essays on the subject, but as is the usual they type a lot to say very little. IMHO it's just another hoop to jump through, and getting used to it is our only choice...
...that, or a coup, and unfortunately my personal militia is a bit under-staffed at the moment...
I read it early this morning (~0600PST) while setting the permissions on my files.
ReplyDeleteThere was an interesting set of arguments being bandied about. There are a huge number of people on the intarwebs who seem to believe that copyright and ownership in general is wrong. All information is free, etc. We appear to have evolved E-Hippies. Joy.
See, this is why I hate the digital age. We all sit around, trying to type over the top of each other; no one makes any headway, and in the end it's the same thing: Mod goes "Because we said so." Haters bitch, nothing gets done, life goes on - people either accept the new rules, or leave.
Much as I like your idea to solve the matter with swift and brutal violence, there's the minor detail that Dark0ne and crew own the hardware that the Nexus sites exist on, and so can quite literally do as they please - even if that means yanking the plug and telling "the community" to sit on it and rotate.
I look at it this way:
As stated before, I don't get paid for this. It's a hobby. While that means that I'm not obligated to do anything for anyone... it also means that if you "steal" my work, I'm not out anything. You're not taking my livelihood, cutting into my profits, or anything else. Worst case? You get credit for something I did, and I don't get the E-ego boost I might otherwise have.
Then again, my perspective may be a bit off since other people have been getting credit for my work since I starting uploading files...
It's been the rule pretty much since DarkOne and company had a run-in with the IP holder for the J.R.R. Tolkien Middle-Earth stuff over a mod they were working on for TES Morrowind. It's just come to more of a head than usual with FO3 and FONV being nearly identical under the hood.
ReplyDeleteGranted, but doesn't make it any less annoying for us or more effective for them.
ReplyDelete