Modders registry.

[Halie Satanus]

What I'm floating here is a Mod register, we've already had various consolidated list of mods but they are basic list with a bit of info, with this we also have a section on the permissions status of the mod. Ok so we can't make members take part or enforce anything but it would give staff and modders a point of reference in disputes. Really it's just about recognising that modders have a gentlemen's agreement to respect each others work and how it's used.

v,1.
a sticky thread which modders register in, stating their name what they do, any work they have released, and their wishes as to how their work is used.

ie.
Halie Satanus.
Modeller, skinner, 2d Artist.
Creator; End of Days, (unreleased)
Mods registered, End of Days, blahh blahh blahh, date; 06/01/07
Permissions for use of mods, Free to use.

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v,2.
This could be added to existing mod list such as the one Publius made, We would need to contact all existing major mods and let them register first so that no one nips in as with SPQR (which is resolved), also we would need a covering letter stating that this register only applies to TWC and is in no way legally binding (small print) http://whatiscopyright.org/.

eg;
SPQR.
registered, 06;01;07. ( this should be retro active in cases such EB, SPQR..ect)
creator, LT1956.
Permissions for usage, Personal use only/Free to use/permission by request only.

Small sig sized pic (advertising)

Small paragraph (advertising)

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Registry

The Official TWC Mod Registry:

A listing of all registered mods, which provides the usage permissions that creators have allowed for their work at TWC. The permissions defined in this list, while not legally binding outside of TWC, are binding and enforceable at TWC by any and all TWC staff.

Should a member wish to have their mod or work listed on the registry, the member must submit an application to the registrar, stating their name what they do, any work they have released, and their wishes as to how their work is used.¹

Administrative Structure

Official Forum: An official forum located in the capitol, shall be created for the registry and all of its associated inquiries, applications, disputes and judgements.

Registrar The registrar shall be an officer of the curia. He/She shall be responsible for maintaining the registry, answering questions about the registry and resolving disputes between members concerning the registry in a fair and impartial manner. The registrar will be provided with the necessary moderator powers in the registry forum by the hexagon council, so that the registrar may be able to carry out his or her duties.

Elections: The registrar shall be elected by the curia to a term of no longer than three months.
When the position of registrar is deemed vacant, the curator shall post a qualification thread in the curia main forum, calling for applicants. After a period of no less than five and no more than seven days, this thread shall be closed and an election in the curia votes forum shall take place amongst the applicants.
Removal: If the Hexagon council feels the registrar has acted in an inappropriate manner or has neglected his/her duties, they may elect to remove the registrar and hold new elections.

1: Permission statements

This list of permission categories for work, for members to choose from when registering their mods, shall be posted and stickied in the official registry forum.

Personal use only.

This means that the creator wishes that under no circumstances can elements of their work be included in other mods, Permission may be sought but refusal is likely.

Free to use.

This means that all elements of the Creators work are free to use, though it is common courtesy to give accreditation.

permission by request only.

This means that permission must be sought to use any elements of the creators work, this is to cover instances where the creator wishes to keep certain elements (ie; use of names) at their discretion.

Accreditation

It is common courtesy to give accreditation to any work done by another modder which is included in your work.

I'm looking for input, especially on the Permission statements, if anyone has something to add without getting overly technical, or bogged down in legal terminology.


Massive shout out to GigaMAN for adding the whole admin structure section and formalising this. also Muizer who tried to get something like this going but didn't get a lot of coverage and Prof420 who proposed something along these lines as well, credit to them for the initial ideas, what i have gleamed from.

[Spiff]

I agree with this concept entirely, i think its a great initiative.

Perhaps this could be stored in the Scriptorium or somewhere similar, rather than having a new subforum for what will essentially be a closed thread.

[Halie Satanus]

The idea for a forum is so that in the event of disputes a tribunal type deal could be implemented, giving each case it's own thread where the registrar would mediate between parties.

[Publius]

This could be very useful, I think. Good idea Halie, I am in full support of this. It has the potential only to help.

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Perhaps make it a pre-req before allowing a mod to be hosted on the TWC server?

[Halie Satanus]

Good idea, when an application is made for a hosted mod informing the registrar could be done by who ever is setting up the forum, he would then contact the mod team and get the info needed and add them to the register.

[gigagaia]

I um... support lol!
Of course I do! This is a great Idea halie.... you pulled it all together!

Anyways, perhaps the mod in the register would also have the names of the team members listed?

[Publius]

Anyways, perhaps the mod in the register would also have the names of the team members listed?

That's a bigger task than some might think. Take EB for instance, who have ~100 people working with them. Not to mention new people coming in, old people going out ... good idea, but it'll be very quickly outdated I think without a very large amount of work on a regular basis.

Best to keep it streamlined and efficient in my opinion.

[Halie Satanus]

I agree, when a mod is registered the creators should be listed only, how they chose to sort out the staff is down to them, hopefully they will encourage the rest of their team to sign up to the individual thread.

[Arbaces]

Good ideas here. Esspecially for permissions, good idea as a mod maker to have a thread on your own sub-forum where those to whom you ask permission state that they give you permission and if they have conditions or restrictions..

As well as a sticky thread on general modding threads where you register your mod with that certain name so that you make sure your mod's name won't be stolen or used anywhere else on TWC.

:wink:
Arbaces.

[Halie Satanus]

Just gave me another idea, perhaps if this does get off the ground the registry could act as 'attorney-in-fact' where permissions have been sought but can't be obtained.

eg; if i want to use Warsprites units but he's not around any more i would submit my request to the registrar and he would grant permissions in warsprites absence, as long as he is happy that all avenues have been tried and suffient time has elapsed.

[gigagaia]

Just gave me another idea, perhaps if this does get off the ground the registry could act as 'attorney-in-fact' where permissions have been sought but can't be obtained.

eg; if i want to use Warsprites units but he's not around any more i would submit my request to the registrar and he would grant permissions in warsprites absence, as long as he is happy that all avenues have been tried and suffient time has elapsed.

That's a good policy... There is, in creative licenses, a time of expiry for such things, so we could have a time when the license matures after a member dissapears...

[spirit_of_rob]

Yeah sounds like a good idea for the most part iad agree with not having a team member list though as it can change ridiciously fast

[AngryTitusPullo]

Good idea, especially for a small time modder like me.

[IceTorque]

I like the idea and support it. In particular I would like to see mechanisms put in place to eliminate plagiarism. Perhaps making mod registration compulsory and all mods being submitted to be closely scrutinized, to ensure alleged original work is in fact original and any permission conditions are met, before being eligible for registration.

[makanyane]

The Modders Registry sounds like a good idea

Re: the permission statements, I remembered the org having discussions over this:
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showth...t=63637&page=2
Not sure if that ended up as final version or if they are using them currently.

The permission to update version part could be useful, if that was required to be stated one way or another it could clarify situations like the MM map where there was some doubt about whether it could be adapted for later patches after the creators disappearance.

Now, would we need permission to use the org's permissions? :hmmm:

[Darkragnar]

Thats a good Idea Mate , especially having an Modders Registry where all the Modders can register ,not only will it give us a portfolio of sorts but it will come in handy for Mod makers when they can want to recruit modders in different fields like music, Map making etc.

[Lusted]

Oh, here are some ideas for permission statements i had, based on this site and the needs of the community:

No Attribution.

You cannot distribute this work, or make derivatives of it.

Attribution with Derivatives.

You are free:

* to Share -- to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work
* to Remix -- to make derivative works

Under the following conditions:

* Attribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor.

Attribution No Derivatives

You are free:

* to Share -- to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work

Under the following conditions:

* Attribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor.
* No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

Attribution Derivates With Conditions

You are free:

* to Share -- to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work
* to Remix -- to make derivative works


Under the following conditions:

* Attribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor.
* Derivative Works. You may only release derivate works, or works incorporating this work with the authors permission.

Atrribution and Share Alike

You are free:

* to Share -- to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work
* to Remix -- to make derivative works

Under the following conditions:

* Attribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor.
* Share Alike. If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under a license identical to this one.

[dragases1453]

I agree with this project..i mean this will clarify everything about mods

[Spurius]

I think it gets all a bit complicated, with umpteen soundalike tastes.

Personally I think all mods hosted here should be free for all to use, with a credit. The 'No attribution' version is in my eyes an atrocity, and should be completely discouraged - go startup your own game, for chrissakes.

All other tastes, if modders so desire, they can host on their own sites (preferably - why would we share bandwith with monopolists?)

Its the modders responsibility to make his policy well known, so in the opening post would be ok, in big print.

If moderators have to consult some sort of abbreviation list, it will lead only to madness and frustration.

Then again, I think we should not encourage people to go copyright-happy over a few lines of code they changed - it kinda kills the modding communitiy idea if everyone goes around with Bill Gates allures.

So, simplicity and clarity should be all we need, I hope. And let's not forget that modding is about sharing and having fun, not comparing dl charts and google ad tickers.