Project:Open Modding Licenses/Articles

Section 1: Distribution

1. Limited Open Distribution is allowed and will still be considered "open" distribution of the mod.
   1. Limited distribution is limiting the distribution of a mod to specific mediums such as a single website, but still allowing open distribution on the chosen medium(s).
   2. Limited distribution is the mod author's choice.
   3. Limited distribution is converted to Open Distribution in the event the specified medium for the limited distribution is no longer available, and the original author does not provide new limited distribution within a reasonable time period.
      1. Mods hidden from public view for the purposes of updating are allowed.
         1. The time frame for hiding a mod to update shall be no longer than 24 hours.
      2. A reasonable time period for choosing a new medium is not to extend longer than 30 days.
2. Mod downloads must be restrictions free when hosted on personal web sites. There can not be any ads to click past nor forum or site registrations required to download the mod.
   1. Adult content mods are an exception and must have a registration wall which checks for minors.
      1. Registration walls which consist of users entering their birth date to determine age is an acceptable minimum. Clicking an "over 18" button is not an acceptable form of age verification.

Appendix

Published / Public Release

Published refers to any release of a mod to any individual or group other than for the purposes of collaboration or testing. The mechanism of publishing does not matter. All forms of possible publication or release are covered, including, but not limited to Bethesda.net, cloud share links, e-mail attachments, NexusMods, Steam, TES Alliance, etc.

Collaboration

Collaboration in this context refers to the sharing of mod files for the purposes of mod development or mod review.

Testing

Testing is this context refers to the sharing of mod files for the purposes of bug testing.

Access Registration

I'm fairly sure that it should be part of both Open and Openable Distribution definitions that downloading the mod not require any sort of registration – except for adult content mods – which may require a registration of sufficient age to access adult materials.

However, several major download sites require registration as part of the commercial operation. (E.g., Morrowind Summit.) So perhaps this should be allowed also. However, I think that downloads from personal web sites should not require registration – this seems like a form of restriction on downloading.