Ok, it has been brought to my attention that certain content that I want to use for my map (pine trees from HL:EP1) would be infringement on the copyright since I cannot be guaranteed that everyone owns EP1.

I can understand that...but...how can it be guaranteed that everyone owns a copy of CS:S, since a lot of content from that is used. Wouldn't that be the same thing? There are quite a few maps out that use content from HL2 or CSS, along with content from DoDS.

Is it really that big of a deal if I make a map and it contains content embedded in the .bsp?

its a shady topic
but its a rule that doesnt seem to be enforced much at all
if it causes problems, just politely ask someone to extend the trunks on the trees you are currently using. or is just more than that?

its a shady topic
but its a rule that doesnt seem to be enforced much at all
if it causes problems, just politely ask someone to extend the trunks on the trees you are currently using. or is just more than that?It would take more than just extending the trunks. I just want to see what some of the people think around here. It seems that it wouldn't be an issue, others tell me that it is, and I would rather not get sued for trying to help the community.

The thing is that when you buy dod source, you gain access to the source base files also (Basically most of the hl2 material files etc), I'm not entirely sure about the CS Source stuff, but I'm sure it comes under the same thing ie it shouldn't be used as you don't get CS source with Dod source.

Overall Valve proberly doesn't have a problem with it, but be warned it is in breach of the EULA etc and if they get their pants in a twist over it you could be in trouble.

You might as well delete 95% of custom maps and sue all mappers....

Although I said it's technically illegal in the map topic, we've been releasing stuff from other Source games (and porting stuff from other games) for years on another forum I go to with no consequence. There is the one-in-a-million person who'll get mad and say they'll contact the original author, but it never turns into anything whatsoever.

my advice would be to not create threads drawing attention to the fact :D like furyo said, if they wanted to be picky, about 95% of customs would be gone. as long as the content borrowing is within reason, not used for-profit, and done with honorable intentions i don't foresee it ever being a problem

my advice would be to not create threads drawing attention to the factDamn, good point. :p

This is the same arguement I encountered about people losing their minds because I never credit Valve in my credits.

If you were making a mod for a game outside the Valve network, I could see the real problem. Technically you are NOT spreading anything beyond the Valve network. Yes many would argue that you are revealing content from another portion of Valve's pay-for games. But then there is reality. Take dod_pacific for example. The mapmaker borrowed the palm trees from CS:S. Did his map in anyway TRULY reveal, steal or mimic the CS:S feel at all? Did anyone ever look at that map and think "wow this reminds me of CS:S?". If you are just using 1 or 2 simple prop models, I cannot see the owners of Valve having kittens over you using them for making maps or mods for one of their games thereby furthering their games' popularity. One of the keypoints of Valve's success is it friendly and cooperative attitude towards modders and such.

Heck, we've had people port AN ENTIRE MAP (de_dust) into DOD:S and not a word was said.

I'm sure they don't worry about this sort of thing much, but at the second you attempt to make money off something like this your ass will be gone!

The only reason I brought the original comment up was so the person who asked knew that if Valve did go on a aggro trip and sue some people then he will know what he did was 'technically' illegal.

Personally I don't care if there is CS source, Dod source, EP1 based models etc in other Source based games or mods. But you all need to be aware that it could backfire on you if Valve was that was inclined (Doubt they ever would).

I can see they would be angry if;

1. you took a whole level and made a map out of it and tried to pass it off as your own work.

2. tried to take credit for the tree models as your original work.

If you choose to keep them, and I hope you do cause I like the map, give them credit/recognition in the map readme. And special thanks to the VLAVe for the tree models.

JCC

I personally didn't think that it would be an issue, but I just wanted to get more information. I wasn't trying to point anyone out or try to discredit anyone, I just wanted to make sure I had all my eggs in one basket before I released anything or starting reworking my current project.

I appreciate everyone's input and should be moving forward here in the near future with my project.

Why not just ask in MSA for some pine trees?...custom models = problem solved.

There are quite a few people that I would ask to do it, but many other busy working on other projects. I will eventually learn to make my own models, but I have 3DS Max 9, and there isn't a .smd importer available yet.

I see.

Well formo I can't honestly say Valve would say much. It's all internal valve content. I think everyone there works together on stuff, it's not like taking from another mod and if you used the EP1 trees it's not like you are releasing the entire game. I ported de dust and de dust2 into dod, I used some stuff from cs, some from dod, but was very very clear that I take no credit whatsoever for the maps, they belong to valve, and it wasn't done for profit, no one said anything to me about it so I am sure it's fine. I think Valve collectively is fine on anything that supports their products.