Why are there "For Pay" Mods?

[unmerged(36286)]

I noticed that some modders are selling their mods instead of releasing them for free.

A mod is a derivative work - in other words, it is a creative work based on a preexisting work that is changed, condensed, recast, or embellished in some way.

Normally, a game owner could claim intellectual property rights over a derivative work. Owners do not do this because the mods are released for free, purely for enjoyment, and they enhance the owner's own work.

This is not the case in a mod released for profit.

Do these for-pay modders have some sort of arrangement with Paradox (who I assume holds the rights to these games) where Paradox receives part of the profits?

Is there some special clause in Paradox's game license that allows modders to profit from their mods?

If these conditions do not apply then the "for pay" mods may be illegal.

 

[unmerged(105596)]

I'm not familiar with a single mod that has been released for profit. If you mean DevilDread's HoI3 stuff, it can also be found for free as a part of his ICE mod. If you mean Magna Mundi, that can be found for free as a EU3 mod (the MM game is what it says on the tin, a new game based on EU3).

 

[nestorius]

It's illegal?

Wait a second let me get this right.

Paradox creates HOI3
someone creates a mod for HOI3
Paradox sells the mod for HOI3 through its website.

???

Where is it illegal? True if they were selling mods for HOI3 them selves that would be illegal but as Paradox agrees with it, it is nothing of the sort.

 

[unmerged(36286)]

It's illegal?

Wait a second let me get this right.

Paradox creates HOI3
someone creates a mod for HOI3
Paradox sells the mod for HOI3 through its website.

???

Where is it illegal? True if they were selling mods for HOI3 them selves that would be illegal but as Paradox agrees with it, it is nothing of the sort.

I clearly stated in my post above that if Paradox agrees with it then there is no problem.

 

[Veldmaarschalk]

I clearly stated in my post above that if Paradox agrees with it then there is no problem.

Paradox agrees with it, in fact Paradox is the one who came up with the idea.

 

[Vaximillian]

AFAIR, Mod 34 (or at least a map for it) is "for pay". At least, it was some time ago, I didn't follow the situation. What was PI's attitude to that case?

 

[ashandresash]

Some mods are giving new life to a game, increasing its fanbase (and of course, sales). So I don't see the problem in rewarding mod creator/s. Specially if things are made as they have been made with DiDay's ICE: a free mod (as others) and the possibility to pay in order to contribute to creators. Why paying for something that it's already free? Well, let's say it's been balanced and showed to work properly (it's not always the same in mods).

Another interesting issue would be designing some battlescenarios. I'd love seeing a reworked (and limited) map, with special events and historical OOBs and issues, placed in Spanish Civil War, or Kursk, or Normandy, or the Ardennes...

 

[jonlucero]

I support modders, if some want to be paid for their efforts, they deserve it.

 

[Samilou]

One thing that must be made clear is that these are not mods. These are officially entirely new games although based on old code, they, unlike mods, also change various hardcoded features of the game that cannot be modified without the correct tools, which Paradox has provided them with. Paradox does receive a share of the profit.

 

[Fernando Torres]

These are officially entirely new games although based on old code, they, unlike mods, also change various hardcoded features of the game that cannot be modified without the correct tools, which Paradox has provided them with.

This is true for AOD, FTG or MM, but not for DLCs.

 

[Davisx3m]

Kaiserreich, the best mod is free Btw is it okay for modders to ask for donations?

 

[jonlucero]

Kaiserreich, the best mod is free Btw is it okay for modders to ask for donations?

Should be ok, but most probably not in these forums.

 

[Aubrey]

Kaiserreich, the best mod is free Btw is it okay for modders to ask for donations?

That would be pretty iffy I would think - but the best modders are going to get the reputation and the opportunity to make some money as time goes by regardless. Cases in point are OHGamer, Lothos and DiDay (in a different way from the folks who stepped up for FTG, AoD, and MM).