XR Vessels Open-Source Development

[WingC3]

Although its applicability is still being debated, could the EU Orphan Works Directive potentially be of use here, at least for EU orbinauts; since it seems that the rightsholder cannot be located or contacted?

Orphan Works Directive - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Max-Q]

Did you actually modify the geometry of the mesh, or just add code?
If the mesh was not modified, I don't think you are creating a derivative work of it, and thus could release under the same license as @dbeachy1.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer!

 

[jedidia]

Although its applicability is still being debated, could the EU Orphan Works Directive potentially be of use here

I wouldn't think so. The directive requires an official registration of the work by a cultural herritage institution, and grants rights only to such institutions (which I'm pretty sure requires another registration...). It's probably waaaaaay less hassle to make a new mesh, and according to my experience with hidden costs in bureaucratic processes, it might even be cheaper to hire a professional to do it...

 

[WingC3]

I wouldn't think so. The directive requires an official registration of the work by a cultural herritage institution, and grants rights only to such institutions (which I'm pretty sure requires another registration...). It's probably waaaaaay less hassle to make a new mesh, and according to my experience with hidden costs in bureaucratic processes, it might even be cheaper to hire a professional to do it...

That seems logical.

Any idea what such an endeavour might cost? (The hiring of professional to do it?)

If one were going to get any cockpit professionally made, it probably ought to be this one as it has to be the most flown ship in Orbiter outside of the default ships.

 

[jedidia]

If one were going to get any cockpit professionally made, it probably ought to be this one as it has to be the most flown ship in Orbiter outside of the default ships.

I think dgatsoulis is working on something to make the cockpit actually interactible...

Any idea what such an endeavour might cost? (The hiring of professional to do it?)

I don't have an informed informed idea, but depending on what country the artist is from, I'd guess anywhere from 1000 to 5000 bucks.

 

[WingC3]

I think dgatsoulis is working on something to make the cockpit actually interactible...



I don't have an informed informed idea, but depending on what country the artist is from, I'd guess anywhere from 1000 to 5000 bucks.

Indeed he is, but he doesn't own the meshes themselves, so his right to re-distribute them is under debate. Sadly, it sounds like the actual rights holder has seen fit to disappear off the face of the Earth.
Considering that he did not previously sell the meshes, nor does dgatsoulis intend to do so, I think it would be pretty hard for the rights holder to re-appear out of the ether and suddenly sue for damages. However, technicaly, he would be entitled to try.

 

[jedidia]

so his right to re-distribute them is under debate.

He doesn't need to redistribute, I don't think. He can just release a patch, without including the meshes.

I think it would be pretty hard for the rights holder to re-appear out of the ether and suddenly sue for damages

That's not really what this is about. The probability that coolhand would hear about it and have the will and capability to sue is pretty low, and even then it would just be a cease and desist. No real harm could come from it other than some work wasted.
But it's a breach of trust. It's the kind of thing that can poison the atmosphere of a modding community. It's just not something you do.

 

[hhaonn]

And users can always make their own private builds anyways (they just can't distribute them).

I would add: "they just can't distribute them on THIS site".
I have a somewhat philosophical question. After all, theoretically, if someone creates his own build and upload it to a third-party site, belonging to a non-western country, you can't do anything about it. However, only visitors to this third-party site, will be able to download it.
And the question is: How seriously could this poison the atmosphere of a modding community?

 

[N_Molson]

I would add: "they just can't distribute them on THIS site".
I have a somewhat philosophical question. After all, theoretically, if someone creates his own build and upload it to a third-party site, belonging to a non-western country, you can't do anything about it. However, only visitors to this third-party site, will be able to download it.
And the question is: How seriously could this poison the atmosphere of a modding community?

Philosophy teacher here. I'd say it your question is more about psychology.

And the answer is simple. No trust, no open source. No code samples, encrypted meshes (it can be done), etc...

 

[Urwumpe]

How seriously could this poison the atmosphere of a modding community?

Imagine you are a small farmer. instead of running a proper shop, you simply store some potatoes that you don't consume yourself in a box and put a small chest next where your neighbours can pay what they consider a fair price for your potatoes without much fuzz (And guess what: In many places it works). If you can trust your neighbours, all is fine. They won't cheat you for your potatoes, some will pay less, some will pay more, but generally, all will have an interest that you can still offer your potatoes there for the community instead of planting something else. Thats how open-source works. It might be like free beer, but if you want to enjoy it every day, you also should also be generous.

Now imagine somebody doesn't pay for the potatoes or worse, takes the potatoes and the money in the chest and leave you with nothing. Will you continue offering this service? Sure not for long. Will you do it again? Unlikely after such an betrayal. Thats behaviour that poisons every good community. And people who do that should better not be allowed to be part of a community.

 

[Matias Saibene]

What saddens me the most is not being able to have the XR2 on native Orbiter Linux.

Oh, wait...