Let this be a thread, where every author would post a comment about their "permission status", then me or one of the mods would edit the first post and added new data, creating an ever updating list of permissions (and possibly creating a downloadable .txt file containing all the data).
The author should state exactly WHAT can people do with WHICH files. Such post would be for example:
Code: Select all
(from egamad):
I allow for all my files to be freely distributed, modded and/or used in competitions, as long as I'm properly credited.
Code: Select all
AUTHOR DISTRIBUTION MODIFICATIONS COMPETITIONS OTHER?
author01 x / x
author02 x x x
author03 / / /
The MODIFICATIONS column tells us if the author allows sharing of modified work, like redone tracks, repainted cars, etc.
The COMPETITIONS column tells us if the author allows his work to be used in compos.
*There could possibly be other columns for issues I haven't thought of.
There would also be some general rules that would apply for all authors and their work, and every author would have to explicitly write down what would not apply for his work, if he wanted it that way. For example, a rule for general distribution of files would be that the file can be distributed as it was released. So if there was let's say a readme file included, it should always be included, otherwise the permission is void. So if the author would want to specifically allow his files to be shared without the readme file, he would need to state that explicitly.
We should decide upon these rules and (anything else for that matter) together, this is just a concept.
I know some of you will say that this is useless because a lot of authors have made something in the past and can now not be contacted. That may be the case, but at least we would know the status for current authors, and at some point the present authors could be unreachable, but we would have their permissions here. The list will probably grow slowly, but in the end I believe it is worth the effort.
I reckon it's not too hard to create a sticky somewhere on the main forum board where users would post about their "permission status". Also a notification/announcement could be made to alert authors of this thread. It would also be a good idea to include some text pointing to this thread for when a new member registers, he should post about their permissions before uploading anything on the forum.
That's a very rough concept but with a little bit of effort could be realised in no time. Now it's time for you to have a say in the matter.