Allowing real-life content on the Repository?

Heyo,

I was recently wondering why the BeamNG repository doesn't allow mod-makers to upload copyrighted content. Does this mean that you can't directly upload a copyrighted 3D model? Or that you can't upload a car made by a manufacturer that copyrights its cars?

I'm also wondering why such things are not allowed? Farming Simulator allows their users to upload real mods on their official repository.

I believe that the decision to ban ANY copyrighted from the repository seriously limits mod-makers in what they can do, and in term reduces accessibility to modding for BeamNG in general. I'd love to hear more about why this decision has been taken and if we could possibly re-think it through and change it.

I'd also love to hear about what you guys have to say in regards to this. Do you think it's a valid reason? Would you like to see this restriction removed?

 

yes i agree, if I remember correctly there used to be a high quality mustang on the repository, now it got removed, I had to search through these awful russian websites to find it again and I did eventually find it. But mods on the repo are high quality and shouldn't deserve to be downloaded on russian websites.

 

As far as I know, it mainly started from the latter, essentially for the reason that car companies don't like the idea of their cars being misrepresented by some of the mods using the manufacturer's cars, hence why they're not allowed on repo. Copyrighted models seem to be only fine on the forums, if the modder using that model can contact the original source (most of the time not the case) and they approve of its use.

It is strange though because for some reason its completely fine to post either on the forums themselves, but not on the repository?

 

This is an extremely complicated subject that has been discussed many times before, but the basic idea is that:

1. 3D models that you didn't make but DO have permission from the original author (and proof of such) is fine.
2. Defunct manufactures that are not owned by any current modern day manufacturer would probably be fine (kinda grey area) So you could probably get away with a Duesenberg or a Doble, but something more recent or owned by still in business manufactures like Plymouth, Pontiac, Saturn or otherwise would probably be off the table.
3. Actual, real manufacturers that are still in business can order a takedown claim if hosted on the main mod pages that BeamNG operates. And due to the damage model this game is capable of, they are usually pretty swift to do so if they ever do make it up there as manufactures DO NOT like seeing their cars publicly get smashed like they can in this game.
4. Since the mod page (repository) is run by the BeamNG staff themselves, that basically means that they are almost "promoting" these mods. So, just to keep legal issues out of their hair, real life mods are kept off the main mod pages for the most part.

 

even if they were to update the TOS to say something like "beamng does not endorse the use of licensed brands on the repository, such uses are at to be the discretion of the mod uploader"
so as to shift the responsibility onto the mod maker, that way people can make licensed mods (still following other existing rules), but will just have to wear a takedown from the repo themselves in the event that it occurs.

 

you also have to consider, what car manufacturer is going to go after someone who is effectively a freelance artist, and is making no revenue from the uploading of this?
there are probably loads of similar licensed car models portrayed in undesirable scenarios on websites like CGtrader, turbosquid, etc. and people don't get cease and desists from such things.
trying to hunt down every individual person who makes no revenue off it would be a logistical nightmare.

 

Funnily enough, the repository in its early days used to allow real-world content. To quote one of my posts replying to a similar thread:

Expanding on my earlier message, the repository not allowing copyrighted content applies to trademarks, logos, and other intellectual properties car companies actively maintain. But it also applies to models sourced from other games like Forza, Assetto Corsa, and CSR Racing 2; unless you have permission from these game developers, the chances of a mod using such models being accepted on the repository is unlikely (but good luck convincing the few individuals who still unsuccessfully try to upload mods using these models to the repository). On the other hand, you have had real-world vehicle mods such as the Dodge Coronet, Fiat Uno, and the Oldsmobile Delta 88 available on the repository, but with fictional names. In those cases, the models were primarily scratch-made rather than ported from a game, hence why a fictional rebadge was all these mods needed to be allowed on the repository. Yes, the DeLorean and the Mazda Cosmo mods also feature scratch-made models, but the mod authors for each respective work have decided not to make them available on the repository via a fictional name.

On another note, vehicle companies have gone after websites that have models of their intellectual properties. For example, Aston Martin sent a cease and desist letter to an infamous model hosting website that rips models from various games. Another example is BMW refusing to allow some websites to sell models of the German luxury automaker's vehicles (which also extends to Mini and Rolls-Royce by the way). As you can see, these corporations have the power and right to enforce their intellectual properties. And as others have pointed out, the repository guidelines as it stands today were possibly made to avoid legal issues the developers wouldn't want to deal with from the larger companies, especially when BeamNG primarily focuses on soft-body physics.

 

Yeah, so it basically comes down to, "If you think you can be sued over it... just don't do it". That's the TLDR version of it