can a mod be brought to the repo if the model is free/do whatever you want with it

I'm just curious...

 

If there is no copyright on the model and it isn’t blatantly badged and/or modelled absolutely idetically to a real car, it can be!

Basically, no real cars or models that have copyright on them and you do not credit them.

 

*sigh* people are going to go after over this

what I meant is that can I use a free model that it allows you to do what ever you want with it with real badges

and then re badge it later ex gavril etk ibishu

 

You may need to credit it if it has a creative copyright liscence (some distributors of “free” models require you to buy it if you want the copyright) but other than that I don’t immediately forsee any issues.

 

I guess if you have permission from the original creator, maybe. You probably can't just download a free model and expect the original creator to be perfectly fine with it unless they say otherwise.

If I used a free model for a BeamNG mod, I'd ask the original creator for permission first.

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But it seems like that's changed recently, because people are uploading Automation creations to the repo with real copyrighted names.

I've been wondering if I should try my Ghostbusters Roamer skin again, because if they can upload Automation cars using those names, surely I can get away with that too.

 

that is a must.

 

The only reason copyrighted Automation cars are allowed is because they can mass-approve them. The filtering of real mods is a lot more specialized because there are fewer of them.

 

Some free models allow personal use only, some allow non-profit use only, some allow any use. Only the last two are suitable.

 

When in doubt, just ask whoever owns the model.
That's what I do with SketchUp models, and if I can't find any way to ask them, I don't bother with using it. Not worth the potential troubles.

 

Copyright law is a pain, but it would get the devs in hot water if they let copyrighted content on the repo. No clue why they are allowed on the forum, but ok. I’m happy that they are.

 

But that still doesn't make sense. They made a pretty big deal about it.

If what they said about copyrighted items is true, couldn't big companies like Jeep, Ford, Audi, Volkswagen, and Honda go after them for the fact that there are Automation cars on the repo under the names of both their brands and their cars?

 

They could, but probably won’t. If they’re suing a small german indie car game company for somebody posting copyrighted content on their online service without profiting anything. Plus, the copyrighted content is hilariously different than the real stuff.

The more I write, the more it sounds completely rediculous. You could make a case, but the judge would probably laugh and kick it out of court. The devs would get a stern talking to, but nothing more.

 

You probably could but would need the creator's permission. Also, I don't see the point of rebranding to repo. The only difference between repo is that you can get mods ingame from repo. Just do a forum release and maybe make another thread for official badges.

 

The reason why people post on the repo with rebadged cars is because it gets more exposure to the greater Beam community. Most 12 year olds who bought the game after watching CrashBoomPunk almost never venture onto the forums to get mods, so reposting the mods on the repo helps gain downloads, even if just for satisfaction,

When the 12 year olds do venture onto the forums.... ugh.

 

Yeah, being 12 isn't a good time for some people. I remember and hate my 12 year old self.

 

If you upload something on the forum, only you are responsible for it since the forum is not a part of the game. The repo is a part of the game and the devs are responsible for everything there.

The small indie company does receive profit from someone posting copyrighted content on their service, since this service is a major marketing point for the game.

 

Free to download doesn't mean free to modify and/or redistribute, also there are two copyrights you have to be wary of the model creators and the copyright holder of the vehicle nameplate(ie I imagine dodge charger copyright would be owned by FCA).



Touching on the nameplate copyright on the repo, a company wouldn't likely have to pursue legal action, as a multi billion dollar car maker asks you to stop copyrighted material or face a lawsuit chances are beamng will not want to go against them in the courts, its just hundreds of thousands of dollars in court costs and delayed development. Neither company wants a lawsuit really but a company like beamng would likely face ruin because of it.

 

To be honest, I'm surprised copyrighted designs are allowed on the repo after just some quick rebadging.

Even before brand and names, car companies file blueprints and patents over exterior and interior designs. Just saying...

 

This (I beleive) is called making something “In the patent’s likeness” and would create some issues, but it’s harder to come up with a case against it.

 

also, considering it's not really being used for a major profit, unlike those chinese companies making ripoff smarts and BMWs, the legal fees and general effort required is probably too great for them to be bothered