does gnu licensed models infect your code?

[drac_gd]

I know that if I use even one small bit of gnu licensed source code in my project then all of my source code requires a gnu license, however, how does gnu licensed artwork work. I have found some very good models that are gnu license. If I add them to my game then my code does not necessarily become gnu licensed does it ? what about other artwork ?

[JP]

Hmm... i guess it's not the same as with the source code, because with that the GNU licenced code becomes part of the source code, but with the GNU licenced artwork it's not part any other bit of artwork... or is the artwork thought of collectively like the source code is...

So not sure on that one!

I'll throw in a similar sort of question that i've got:

I'm using some free models from TurboSquid in my game. On the website and in the download file there is no mention of a licence whatsoever. Does that mean that it's completely free to use for any purpose, including commercial?

My thoughts are that if you don't specify a licence then people can do whatever they wish with it.

But there's a chance that might not be the case, you may not be allowed to assume that there's no licence just because you've not found one...

[hybrid]

Well, usually all rights are reserved unless otherwise stated. So models or code have to be explicitly put into Public Domain (or at least zlib license or something) to be used without restrictions.
I'm not sure if models can even be licensed under GPL. But since, e.g., loading GPL code into MSVC doesn't infect MSVC, there should be no problem to load a 3d model.

[rogerborg]

I know that if I use even one small bit of gnu licensed source code

GPL, not "gnu".

in my project then all of my source code requires a gnu license

Only if and when you distribute it.

however, how does gnu licensed artwork work. I have found some very good models that are gnu license.

I doubt that, since it's not a natural license for artwork.

GPL2 or GPL3? If you post the actual license text, we might be able to give a definitive answer.

If I add them to my game then my code does not necessarily become gnu licensed does it ?

Code never "becomes" "gnu" licensed. You always have a choice whether to conform to with the license terms.

Also: no.

what about other artwork ?

What about other artwork?]

My thoughts are that if you don't specify a licence then people can do whatever they wish with it.

Quite wrong. All rights reserved is the default. No license, no rights to use.

Fortunately, you have a license.

The Seller grants to the Member who either purchases license rights to Content via a Valid Sale, or downloads freely available Content submitted by the Seller, a non-exclusive, worldwide, license in any medium now known or hereinafter invented to: (a) reproduce, post, promote, license, sell, publicly perform, publicly display, digitally perform, or transmit for promotional and commercial purposes; (b) use any trademarks, service marks or trade names incorporated in the Content in connection with Seller material; and (c) use the name and likeness of any individuals represented in the Content only in connection with Your material. The Member license to Content in this paragraph is limited to Incorporated Content. Such use or republication, including sale or distribution of Content that is not Incorporated Content is prohibited. For illustration, approved distribution or use of Content as Incorporated Content includes, but is not limited to:

(i) As rendered still images or moving images; resold as part of a feature film, broadcast, or stock photography.

(ii) As part of a game if the Content is contained inside a proprietary format and displays inside the game during play.

(iii) As Content published within a book, poster, t-shirt or other item.

(iv) As part of a physical object such as a toy, doll, or model.

[MasterGod]

Well I'll add my question too. If one breaks an OSI license can I press charges against him? For example the zlib/libpng says you cannot take credit for the original work ("...you must not claim that you wrote the original software...") so if someone does that what can I do about it?

[hybrid]

You can sue him for it. Best is to ask a lawyer who is specialized on copyright issues, collect evidents for the infringement, and then file a case on that. There are several ways to handle such stuff, and since it depends on local laws (and I don't know the proper english words for the ways) you should ask someone who knows your local laws.

[MasterGod]

You can sue him for it. Best is to ask a lawyer who is specialized on copyright issues, collect evidents for the infringement, and then file a case on that. There are several ways to handle such stuff, and since it depends on local laws (and I don't know the proper english words for the ways) you should ask someone who knows your local laws.

cool.

Thanks.

[CuteAlien]

Don't get the lawyers involved that fast ...

As first step simply contact the person. In most cases they probably won't even know they break the license.

As second step you can put in some pressure if you want, like mentioning that you will inform the public (like some tech - magazines) otherwise.

Lawyers should be the last step - and it's rarely needed.

[rogerborg]

Sure, if license compliance in future is your goal. If you actually want a cut of their profits or punitive damages for past license (and thus copyright) violations, then don't get your advice from intartubes nerds.

[drac_gd]

Thanks for the answers. I believe that I will risk using the GPL models ( my game is free and open source). The models in question are from the open source game SCOURGE.
The reason I assume they are GPL licensed is because in many cases the models have thier own sub directory and the only licensing info is the gnu file containing a GPL License

[rogerborg]

Hmm.

The artwork in S.C.O.U.R.G.E. falls under three categories: Any art I made is free for reuse under the terms of the GPL. Art I 'borrowed' from polycount is subject to the rules set by their authors. Finally art created by Matt is owned by him, and is not available for reuse in other projects.

'borrowed'. Uh huh.

Adding md2 (creature) models:
They're all quake2 models I've downloaded from polycount (or planetquake).

That would seem to be these md2 models, which presumably come with individual licensing terms, rather than GPL. Some (most?) of them clearly violate third party trademarks as well.

[sio2]

Well I'll add my question too. If one breaks an OSI license can I press charges against him? For example the zlib/libpng says you cannot take credit for the original work ("...you must not claim that you wrote the original software...") so if someone does that what can I do about it?

Could you explain the license for your GridSceneNode? You seem to have put your own copyright at the top of the files. Isn't this based on Dark_Kilauea's GridSceneNode?

[MasterGod]

"Dark_Kilauea - Thanks for your Grid Scene Node."
Of course I gave credit. Also in the code itself:

Code: Select all

//! Adds a grid scene node to the scene graph.
			/*! Setting accentlineoffset to 0 causes accentlines to not be rendered.\n
			Thanks to Dark_Kilauea for creating this class. */
			virtual GridSceneNode* addGridSceneNode...

And if I remember correctly it's under zlib/libpng too but I'm not sure..

[CuteAlien]

Sure, if license compliance in future is your goal. If you actually want a cut of their profits or punitive damages for past license (and thus copyright) violations, then don't get your advice from intartubes nerds.

Ah - so you did advice SCO? ;-)

[rogerborg]

SCO were completely right in principle. It's just that the facts and the law were against them.