Well, well. Here we are again with another case in point of why I no longer release mods to the ‘community’ Found a reference to a mod on another forum, and when my curiosity led me to have a peek, guess what I find? Yep, right there in the ‘standalone’ version available since 2015, is one of my textures created for the Mage Overhaul series I did with EcthelionOtW in 2013. (and yes – I downloaded it, opened the files in photoshop, and was staring at my own work) Yup, right there. What was REALLY interesting is that
the modder NEVER asked for my permission to use the file – despite the explicit instructions on ALL of E’s and my work that permission must be explicitly solicited for re-use by others. Yep. As also, I thought, backed up by the modsite’s explicit TOS terms in that regard. In others words – thou shall not steal.

Well, unless it’s from me apparently – and then we get to play the rape victim game. Ignore….and if forced to confront, use the ‘well if only your skirt weren’t so short’ bit. Because this would be the popular reaction towards IP creators who stand up for their rights to control their work product. It’s happened to me before, I see it going on now exorcised against other modders, and I refuse to go through it again – thus no more mods from me. Ever. (Nor will there now ever be a re-release of the still hidden mods currently on the site)  Yep, that’s right, after PM-ing the modder in an attempt to just settle this quietly behind the scenes, I was met with the response “What mod?” and then ‘radio silence.’ Then I took the next step – I used the report feature, outlined my case, gave some
links to my textures provenance on the same site, and waited…..and waited…..and waited….and waited….

And yeah. Meanwhile my texture is being illicitly re-distributed by the other party. Yep.
After almost 12 hours, I finally PM’d an admin on the site and inquired if my report had been received.  I was told, yes, and that I had been responded to per the notations on said report. Uh-huh. Yeah, no. No response. Nada, none. I sent additional PM’s to this admin – thanking them for their time, adding additional proofs, and hoping for a resolution. Did I get one 28 hours after the initial report?

Nope. Told ya. Ignore…then blame the victim. Can’t wait for the BS that gets spewed in that stage. I’m sure it’ll be as good as the rationalizations delivered re: my stalker. Because you know – that would be troublesome and all. Let’s just drop it, despite the fact they used a sock account to contact me there which is supposedly a cut and dry violation of the sites TOS. Not in my case apparently. I’m sure this modder will now be
allowed to continue using my texture without permission, because “reasons”

Well past 24 hours now. Not a single word from either the site or the asset thief….shocker, I know.

Nearly 48 hours later, and still not one thin 30 second PM offering the site’s resolution on this issue, though upon checking, I do see the mod in question is “under review” – which I suppose is something?

As mods and modders keep disappearing and stop uploading content for the “community” remember, these experiences are why we can’t have nice things…..