Hi folks,

I've a question: Is it legal if I use oblivion models (just the model) in morrowind? It must be possible if I import the NIF and make an new texturing with morrowind textures and export it as morrowind NIF (I guess, it's just a theory if haven't tried yet).

Maybe someone of Bethesda could reply and tell me if I could do it or not...

Greets Lestat

As far as I'm aware it's illegal

Of course not, what a silly question.

A model? No.
A texture? No.
A music? No.
A sound? No.
Anything? No.

Simple, really.



More precisely: it is illegal to DISTRIBUTE any copyrighted content to which you do not have a copyright license. Technically, this includes, for example, retextures of, say, Morrowind stuff even for Morrowind itself. Bethesda permits it anyway because there aren't any other practical way to distribute mods using modified textures.

That Bethesda allows you to release modified meshes or textures for the same game they're from is already something you can only do with permission. You do not have the right to do it.

Alternatively, you can get a modeler to make entirely from scratch a model that looks a lot like one from Oblivion; but it needs to be made from scratch. Again, this is a special permission you are granted since technically, even if made from scratch, it is a derivative work (as it is modeled after something else and meant to resemble it) and thus potentially liable to be sued about for copyright infringement.

But for personal use, you can use. But only for personal! Not for public.

From the pinned FAQ on this page:

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=106063&st=0&p=1772979&#entry1772979

O.k., guys,

thanks for your statements, now I know more...

Greets Lestat

About this, your allowed to re-make anything from Oblivion, you just can't directly use any of it's resources. For example, MADW will include many meshes from The Shivering Isles, but not conversions, re-made meshes.

You can use modder-made meshes provided you have permission, but anything that Bethesda made is a no-go. At the same time, I know there's a mod that puts Oblivion's night sky in Morrowind, but it requires both games to work. Maybe you could make your mod dependent on both games? :shrug:

Yeah, that's a theory that has been put to the test before. Search these forums for the word "Morroblivion" if you wish to know the outcome.

That still breach the copyright. And Gez pointed out a really good example as well.

It's been done with the Oblivion sounds though-some kind of program that detects if you have the files and ports them over. Last I checked, it wasn't being shut down. I guess it's a matter of scale or something.

Yeah Bethesda isn't very consistent when it comes to those things

Oh is that what it was? I thought it was just a TC for Oblivion...

I can't find any C&D orders? The download site is still up etc.

pointing out the inconsistancies and little things that are being overlooked is a surefire way to draw official attention to the subject where there currently isn't any. in other words, continuing with this conversation here on the Bethesda forums is a terrible idea, at best.

there are a couple gray areas where they've allowed modders to stretch what's allowed a bit. be grateful for it.

One question I've always had though. Is why is it illegal?
That's the question that I've never got an answer too.

Bethesda is not EA, They are also not run by the Costa Nostra, (the Mafia) so again, why is it illegal?

Because you would be distributing someone else's copyrighted work. It's like if you took samples from someone elses music and stuck it into yours without giving credit or anything, you need permission, and Bethesda has already gave the no, so that's a no.

Where in the OP did he say distributing? Morroblivion, for example, didn't distribute anything.

Here

That is distribution, even if it's converted, it's still copyrighted Bethesda property.

Don't ever... ever defragment your harddrive. Ever. You would be distributing files. Oh, and loading it into an internal format in your system ram, I wouldn't do that either. Also distribution.

;)

Nobody has heard about Galadrielle for more than a year now... His fate is a mystery. Rumors said a black van with a symbol on it not unlike that of Star Wars' galactic empire had been seen in the vicinity of his house on the day of his last post in the "Terres-Cendres" forum... I'm just sayin'.

I agree, Defragmenting svcks.

How come Defragmenting svcks?

Asked and answered I think.

So do I.