Hi I use mods a fair bit and tinker a small bit myself.
But I was just wandering if there is a mod out there whether just a mesh or texture and I wish to use or alter some of its content for something else.
Or even fixing a problem that pops up myself using oblivions CS.
What is the etiquite am I stepping on peoples toes, or as long as its for personnal use and not public is it ok?

As well as the fact do I need leave by the creater to do so, and if so what happens when or if I fail to reach them due to the mod / s being dated?

I know I'm going to get afew answers here pro and against any of these questions but, I just felt I should know the playing field before scoring an own goal here.

As long as it only for personal use, there's no issues. It's only if you'd like to upload it that you need the author's permission. As for whether you can find the author, unless he/she has given express permission to use the work, you just don't make the changes then upload.

If you want to tweak a mod you are using for personal reasons, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that (apart from the CS attaching garbage data to the plugin). The only time the mod community will bite you on this one is if you attempt to upload someone else's work with out their consent.

Thank you a lot for the infomation, I really did not want to PO someone, or pull a fast one on someones work.
Since most seem to do a fantastic job already, beyond my capabilities its not likely to occour, but on the off chance of wanting to change something to fit the characters build I thought it best to ask.

Thanks again.