Custom map sales, illegal or legal?

C

chucha

Guest
I have a little knack for creating custom maps, mainly for cs:s. Until recently, I did it for fun. I completed two maps in the past week for someone who awarded me with cash. I'm now considering making an ordering system for people (who are unable to make maps) who would like a map customized to the exact details for their servers, at a low-cost.

Would doing this violate my terms of using their software to make money? I don't see how distributing the work that I create would be violating, but I'd like a second opinion before doing so.

Thanks.

[Edit: Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong section, because this is kind of centered around cs:s content.]
 
Well you do provide a service for a product... Airliners don't get sued for selling tickets? nor do companies who customize Aircraft. So I think you would be allright.
 
Personally I would suggest e-mailing Valve, to be clear of your legal standpoint before starting a business.

I can't see the harm in you creating some custom maps and getting paid for it, unless you went large scale and sold them in stores. Even then you could possibly sell them as 'custom map packs'. As long as you didnt include any game content with them (the engine) I would think it was OK.
 
would he not be required to pay any fees...to anyone? Sorry - not too up to date with legal issues and lingo.

Afterall he is using products to profit - is the first off payment alone all that is needed?

Also - if you're selling maps, they better be the best that are available...pro quality even - if that is true, shouldnt you be with Valve or iD software or something...
 
sabre0001 said:
Also - if you're selling maps, they better be the best that are available...pro quality even - if that is true, shouldnt you be with Valve or iD software or something...
Click to expand...
I think some people would pay for custom maps. For example, a map created around sketches, or photos. Could become a big thing... :thumbs:

I thought of something else though. Since you don't actually own the software, you only own a license to it, it would be a good idea to have a skim through your licence agreement.
 
you created the map with their tools so they will be taking at least 50% if not 100% or they just wont let you sell it
 
I think If a person wants you to make them a map, then having them pay you for your services is not a big deal. If just one person has to pay for the one map, it's fair, but if somehow you charged everyone to buy the map, that would be not so cool, or something.
 
jmjneary said:
you created the map with their tools so they will be taking at least 50% if not 100% or they just wont let you sell it
Click to expand...

does that mean that microsoft get half the profits of all the novels written in word, or adobe get half the profits from professional gfx designers who use photoshop? it doesn't work like that, tools like those are lisenced, but what you produce is yours(technically all you're selling is the contents of a file, not part of the software). The only thing i would be wary of is if there is a note in the EULA that says you cannot use this software for profit making
 
why dont you go back to the install and read the disclamer like no one does maybe then we will all know the answer cause i also read another forum about selling a mod and i think they e-mailed valve
 
Just have a "donation" link where people who just like your maps can donate money to you. They can't sue you for that ;)

But maybe you're right... I mean, airlines also need authorisation.
 
Septih said:
does that mean that microsoft get half the profits of all the novels written in word, or adobe get half the profits from professional gfx designers who use photoshop? it doesn't work like that, tools like those are lisenced, but what you produce is yours(technically all you're selling is the contents of a file, not part of the software). The only thing i would be wary of is if there is a note in the EULA that says you cannot use this software for profit making
Click to expand...


that's a flawed arguement, tho. the biggest difference here is intellectual property. even if he created his own models, and his own textures, there would still be a legal issue.

he'd have more luck creating custom content in XSI or 3dsmax to be used in maps. but the .bsp can only be used in a game owned by Valve, so im sure he cant sell the maps themselves. or he could create and sell textures. but i would bet money that a map is still intellectual property owned by Valve, regardless of who "created" it. especially since it was created in a tool created by them to be used in a product they own.
 
I'm pretty sure that even if someone would pay for maps, it would still be illegal
 
FFS guys, no-one is gonna sue this guy for making a few quid by making a custom map! Even if it was illegal, the worst they would do is tell you to stop! It's not like he's gonna be making millions on this
 
Nibby said:
that's a flawed arguement, tho. the biggest difference here is intellectual property. even if he created his own models, and his own textures, there would still be a legal issue.
Click to expand...

?

just as writers intellectual property consists of letters and such formed into a unique item, mappers will be using entities and blocks to form their own files...thinking about it, a big problem would be that hammer compiles it, even writers have to pay for publishing

ack, metaphors
 
Would doing this violate my terms of using their software to make money? I don't see how distributing the work that I create would be violating, but I'd like a second opinion before doing so.
Click to expand...

I think probably you need to have a chat with an attorney specialising in intellectual property. Yes that costs money, but it would be better than getting the wrong advice and having a damages claim brought against you.
 
I fail to see how this would work.

One guy pays for a map, and puts it on his server. People then download the map directly from the server.

What's to stop someone simply downloading the map for free, then hosting it on their own server?

If you prevented people from downloading the map from the server by some means, where do they get the map to play it?

Personally, I wouldn't pay to play on a map, when there are loads of people producing top quality maps for free. I can't see many people doing so, either.
 
about the IP issues, he dosent need to make it with hammer...

if u have ever been into BASIC,(a programming language like C++)
you know that it can without a problem both create the maps, and compile/play them.
not as advanced though... (but it works)
 
FFS, Read the original post, hes charging to MAKE the map custom to your specs, of course people who join the server will download the map, thats not what your paying for, you are paying for the service of having a map created to your specifications.
 
There might be some legal issues if you use any content from HL2, props and textures, etc, but I'm not sure.

I think it's a bit weak to do this anyway.
 
oh so people are paying you to make them a map not making everyone pay?
 
A while ago, I remember getting Dungeon Keeper from a friend. There was a downloadable map editor. Under the terms in there, *Every map you make is property of Bullfrog Entertainment*.
Valve could also in theory be like this.
 
The content used for mapping isnt the map authors in the first place, so the loophole is leaving *valve out which is illegal. I didnt read the legal mumbo jumbo but thats my take on things :D

Plus its gunna be impossible to sell a map, cause even if you make an insane map, theirs allways better for free. If someone is paying someone else to make the map, I see nothing wrong with that cause you are paying for somoene's talent hard work and knowledge/skill, not make profit off selling it.
 
FFS listen to akula, he/she is wise!

its like having a house specifically designed for u, others can use the same design, but its based on neccessity from u, that u needed exactly THAT design for a house.
think about it, u tell him; i need a cqc map with very many different ways to get around, not so many camp spots, many shoot-through walls. And he makes such a map.
its just like hiring a designer.
 
This is illegal.

In using Valve's proprietary software, you are not permitted to sell anything created with it, even if the elements of design are your own.

This being said, Valve does not have the right to claim your designs as their own intellectual property.

Think about it in this manner: Most colleges and universities are legally entitled to claim rewards given to students based on work they create while attending their institution, on the grounds that the student was able to produce said work as a result of the tools offered to them by the college.

Hammer, and the Source Engine, are tools provided to the community for non-commercial use.
 
What you are selling is your time and effort into making the maps - NOT the map's themselves (that way you avoid any fees) - and the word your looking for is comissioning - so they give you money to make a nice map - you make them aware all the tools are out there for free with excellent documentation - if they still want your service then fair game :)
 
why does it matter, your not going to make enough money to get sueded, and if u kept it public instead of "plugging" you wouldnt have to even think of these implications.

________________
k thx bye
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you could avoid all legal issues, and just take their money, and not make a map...

I'm a bastard though, so don't listen to me... unless you like the idea... in which case, let's do business :D
 
lets say it was legal it wouldnt matter becuase this is a bad idea

*nods*
 
Well, if you took the map file, then changed the extension to .txt, then included instructions with the map saying to change the extension to .vmf/whateverfile then i'm sure you could get around any sort of legal issues. If you got caught you could say that you were distributing text files with reusable code that doubled as maps ffor HL2. I know it sounds stupid but anything will fly in a court. Almost :LOL:
 
bloody hell dont cry over making a map , people sell copied games dvd's etc... oh NOES!!! going to sell a map!!! i dont think steam will actually care , theyre made enough money out of us :/

btw nice advertising ;)
 
lol chucha hasnt replied i doubt he even came back to read his own thread
 
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