A/C conversion, but author cannot be reached - what can we do?

[ksgy]

Hey guys,

A friend of mine was successfully converted an FSX plane, just for fun and for own use. But, he'd like to share the plane with the community (freeware as per the original plane was that too).

He tried to contact the author of the plane, but without any luck (FB, email, twitter). He asked me to ask you, what can he do in this case. The plane was modified last at Jan. 2008, so it was almost 5 years ago. Is there any general regulatios/unwritten rule for this?

In last case he releases the plane and tells in readme there is no written permission from the author of the plane, and includes the original copyright text from readme. Is that a viable option?

Thanks!

Edited September 30, 2012 by ksgy

[karingka]

I've come across issues with scenery conversions...

I also didn't know what to do, so I never released them...

[Ben Russell]

Copyright in the US lasts approximately 50 years.

Content authors of all forms are AUTOMATICALLY protected by Copyright law by simply creating something.

No Copyright "registration" is required for protection.

If you cannot contact the original author then you CANNOT re-release their work unless the original work specifically grants you those rights by using a Creative Commons or similar licensing agreement.

However: What you do in your own time, between friends, in private communications, is entirely your business.

[ksgy]

If you cannot contact the original author then you CANNOT re-release their work unless the original work specifically grants you those rights by using a Creative Commons or similar licensing agreement.

The original readme wasn't contains any CC license, just the copyright of textures, 3d model, sounds, etc.

Thanks for clarification, I was expecting and afraid this kind of answer.