content usage ethics, what is "stealing"

I have a couple of quick questions about what custom content I might be able to use for my map.

Dota classic features a number of good skins, and EUL declared his map open source. Most people think this means he just said anybody else can use the dota name or edit the map, but the definition of open source says that i could use custom skins from the map. The only problem is, that If the skins do not belong to EUL, and they are not his to give. Can I use these skins? What about skins that were made after EUL stopped developing the map?

Since the wc3search model section went down, we've lost a lot of models. One in particular I needed to use was the model used by the aoto ronin hero in advent of the zenith. I've ripped the model from the map because I know it was public, but is the artists consent to use his material expired now that wc3search does not have the models?
Even if I can use the skin, is it considered wrong to rip it from somebody else map?

I've just discovered that a person who used to work with me on my largest and favorite project(not anymore due to gross incompetence) has suggested a lot of content to other projects. Do the concepts belong to me, Is it my fault because I should have been more careful about who I share my work with, or is the content fair for either project to use? I'm leaning towards the second answer, but its a tough blow to my personal efforts, and I would like some opinions on this.

Lucky for you, the creator of AotZ is on this site.

Rising_Dusk

Maybe you could ask him how to get in contact with the artists.

Not according to this site.

I would give you that model if you had asked me for it.
I've uploaded it repeatedly for other people.

It was released as a public resource, and therefore can be used so long as credit is given.

You can download most of Black_Stan's models on the following site. Its russian, translated using google to english. If this breaks any site rules then take it down (just in case o.O)
http://www.google.com/translate?u=ht...&hl=en&ie=UTF8

What about euls skins? What specifically can be used there?

And what about this.
.

I already took the models I wanted from the MPQ, but thanks anyway. I was just wondering if it was okay to use them. Thanks for the information.

Personally I don't think you should be bothered about your former college,
there will always be assholes on this world and they simply don't deserve
that time.

About the content of your map, why are you bothered if it be used in other maps? Even if they don't credit you it is still your work and you know it.

Besides people that behave in those ungentlemanly manners
never have enough brains to make anything decent no matter how much
material they steal.

Simply finish your map and enjoy the fact that you are not one of those people.

My personal feelings are simplistic.

1. Anything uploaded onto the net should be "free to use" period. No one can control the net, no one can control the actions of others. If you upload something expect it to be ripped off.

2. I no longer use custom data for uploaded maps (or other projects where I enter a thing for use by others) that I do not want spread about.

3. I do not use custom data from others in uploaded maps, games, and stuff (beyond WCII too, like SC4 Rush Hour plugins) without their express personal to me permission. If I can not locate them and ask them personally I do not use their work.


My experience has shown that even if a doodad, plugin, mod is uploaded onto some forum with the permission being full access, somebody, somewhere has a problem with the use of artwork - even those who have no real say in the matter. I was banned from a site due to the complaints of a third party who interpreted the "law" their own way and made accusations which had no basis in reality (No not WCII forums).

Err on the side of caution. Always.

Please ellaborate by PM?

That's the most ridiculous statement I have ever read. You might think you are talking about something perfect, but nope it is simply wrong. The web is full of places were things are released online but you can't redistribute. Releasing something to the web is not necessarily releasing it to open domain. Please do some research.

Well, that depends I think it is all good to use resources, but there are guys that request credits for them if you use their things and I think that's to be enforced, map makers should have some basic respect for the people that makes the resources they are exploiting.

That said, stealing is not the same as duplicating, if you get to do something similar or inspired work, without really modiffying anything from somebody else or re-releasing it is all fine


Without prior art he can't really own concepts, if no proof is given that he had those concepts before this other person supposedly released them for other projects it is silly for him to complaint.

Didn't thehive literaly eat wc3search and then they are keeping the models?

--
the question to be made, is are these things needed? There is no need to use something without permission, your map will survive not using such thing.


closing because these discussions are boring and get silly very fast.