Hey guys. I was wondering if I can upload this car with a lightbar with it, READ THE DESC OF THE MOD:

 

http://www.gta4-mods.com/vehicles/chevrolet-camaro-zl1-f20033

 

If I add credits, do I get copyright... sorry its my first time actually getting into making cars...

Unauthorized derivative works are ineligible for copyright. The fact that he said "you can edit the model" isn't enough to clear you; if the model is converted from a commercial game (like the vast majority of IV models), it's an unauthorized derivative of the commercial model. Even if it is entirely scratch by the author, or if he has permission from the original modeller to grant permission for anyone to edit their original model, you're infringing on Chevy's trademarks by making the mod, and an actual claim of copyright could well get you hammered by GM's lawyers for unauthorized use of a trademark (car companies often don't care about mods, but they start to care when you try to make money or claim some sort of ownership). Copyright is a very, very unattractive form of protection for modelers (skinners and scripters can have it easier: skins which are either wholly original or whose only non-original parts are in the public domain (e.g. all works produced by US federal government employees in the course of their job) are copyrightable, as is most computer code that doesn't use code written by others.

Unauthorized derivative works are ineligible for copyright. The fact that he said "you can edit the model" isn't enough to clear you; if the model is converted from a commercial game (like the vast majority of IV models), it's an unauthorized derivative of the commercial model. Even if it is entirely scratch by the author, or if he has permission from the original modeller to grant permission for anyone to edit their original model, you're infringing on Chevy's trademarks by making the mod, and an actual claim of copyright could well get you hammered by GM's lawyers for unauthorized use of a trademark (car companies often don't care about mods, but they start to care when you try to make money or claim some sort of ownership). Copyright is a very, very unattractive form of protection for modelers (skinners and scripters can have it easier: skins which are either wholly original or whose only non-original parts are in the public domain (e.g. all works produced by US federal government employees in the course of their job) are copyrightable, as is most computer code that doesn't use code written by others.

Woah, that sounds pretty scary. I think I'm just gonna not release the cars, I just made a couple of Crown Vics by just adding lightbars and stuff and this gives me a really odd feeling that having bxbugs123's model and putting credits into it, I really don't know what might happen... Is it worth releasing the cars with credits by any chance? Thanks.

-AJ

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Edited June 22, 20241 yr by tobeymaguire

If it says clearly that the car is used to development purposes and the vehicle is released unlocked with the word of the author saying you may edit and release the model, it's fine.

If it says clearly that the car is used to development purposes and the vehicle is released unlocked with the word of the author saying you may edit and release the model, it's fine.

So if I were to release a Ford Crown Victoria with the following parts:

 

?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>'?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>>?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>

http://gtapolicemods.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1258

 

and put proper credits, actual proper credits, no coyrights go against me, correct?

-AJ

If it says clearly that the car is used to development purposes and the vehicle is released unlocked with the word of the author saying you may edit and release the model, it's fine.

So if I were to release a Ford Crown Victoria with the following parts:

 

http://www.lcpdfr.co...elen-edge-9000/

http://gtapolicemods...do=file&id=1258

 

and put proper credits, actual proper credits, no coyrights go against me, correct?

-AJ

It still depends. If Shaefft converted his Crown Vic from a game, then your model will still be an unauthorized derivative work. Even if every bit was scratch-modelled, Ford and Whelen have certain IP rights, which you are likely violating (you are almost certainly violating their trademark if you present it as a Ford Crown Victoria, instead of, I don't know, a Vapid Stanier or something - if you're wondering why Rockstar uses made-up car names, that's why).

Claiming a copyright stands a chance of getting you a stern letter from Ford's lawyers. Attribution is irrelevant, unless required by the terms of a license - a copyright infringement where you give credit is still a copyright violation.

Also, it's highly doubtful whether "slap a lightbar on a car" is sufficiently creative to receive any sort of copyright protection.

TL;DR: No. Copyright is not a mechanism that is particularly applicable to mods.

...wait a sec. Are you trying to copyright your mod, or are you wondering if you'd become liable to copyright claims? In general, copyright is not a big deal in this community (built as it is on a lot of copyright violations), and companies like Ford normally only get involved if you start selling stuff or the like. If you release the mods, you can't be certain of not getting in legal trouble, but you can be *basically* certain that no one will care about it. My posts were on the assumption that you wanted to *receive* copyright protection, which would be unlikely to happen.

It still depends. If Shaefft converted his Crown Vic from a game, then your model will still be an unauthorized derivative work. Even if every bit was scratch-modelled, Ford and Whelen have certain IP rights, which you are likely violating (you are almost certainly violating their trademark if you present it as a Ford Crown Victoria, instead of, I don't know, a Vapid Stanier or something - if you're wondering why Rockstar uses made-up car names, that's why).

Claiming a copyright stands a chance of getting you a stern letter from Ford's lawyers. Attribution is irrelevant, unless required by the terms of a license - a copyright infringement where you give credit is still a copyright violation.

Also, it's highly doubtful whether "slap a lightbar on a car" is sufficiently creative to receive any sort of copyright protection.

TL;DR: No. Copyright is not a mechanism that is particularly applicable to mods.

...wait a sec. Are you trying to copyright your mod, or are you wondering if you'd become liable to copyright claims? In general, copyright is not a big deal in this community (built as it is on a lot of copyright violations), and companies like Ford normally only get involved if you start selling stuff or the like. If you release the mods, you can't be certain of not getting in legal trouble, but you can be *basically* certain that no one will care about it. My posts were on the assumption that you wanted to *receive* copyright protection, which would be unlikely to happen.

I believe he is asking if he can release something without getting in trouble from the company. 

Which while you are entirely correct in what you have said, to the OP, practically every mod on this site(aside from fictional models) has grounds to be removed/have legal action pursued from vehicle companies or police departments. 

 

I wouldn't worry about it, but if you are asking if you can copyright your mod, that cannot happen as stated above it really is not in the least bit yours. 

I believe he is asking if he can release something without getting in trouble from the company. 

Which while you are entirely correct in what you have said, to the OP, practically every mod on this site(aside from fictional models) has grounds to be removed/have legal action pursued from vehicle companies or police departments. 

 

I wouldn't worry about it, but if you are asking if you can copyright your mod, that cannot happen as stated above it really is not in the least bit yours. 

Yes, that's what I am looking for. So do you think I can release the car? It has the following parts and is properly credited:

 

http://gtapolicemods.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1258

 

http://gtapolicemods.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1946

 

???

As long as you give proper credit for everything, you should be alright.

As long as you give proper credit for everything, you should be alright.

Oh sweet, thanks ;)

-AJ