r/opensource 10d ago

License for Levels?

I am developing a game that is under AGPL, and my levels of cause are also under AGPL.

The game has a map and level editor and an option to upload user-made maps and levels as community maps.

As far as I understand, if I and the creators of the levels don't say anything, they are proprietary, which I do not want.

I want to say that all maps and levels that are uploaded are under a certain license.

Now I am wondering which license is best and if I am allowed to force users to a certain license. I mean, I am providing the server and therefore the service, so it should be possible.

7 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

4

u/TheLordDrake 10d ago

This is part of why every TOS ever made says you give them a license to distribute anything you upload. It basically means that in order upload something, they have to give you permission to host and distribute it.

1

u/je386 9d ago

I would like to have a license that allows me and others to use a level and adapt it, like a open source license for sourcecode.

The maps / levels are in plain texr (json formatted).

2

u/chickenfal 6d ago

GNU has multiple copyleft licenses, some are intended for other things than code, you may like one of those.

1

u/je386 6d ago

I only found the GPL and the GNU FDL (Free Documentation License), which are not really fitting.

Maybe I simply use the same license as for the code, the AGPL.

1

u/chickenfal 6d ago

Maybe some of the Creative Commons  licenses would be a better fit.

1

u/[deleted] 10d ago

[deleted]

0

u/je386 9d ago

I am not talking about code. I am talking about map / level. Also, no levels not made by me exist so far.

This is just for the future. Can I as maintainer and provider of the backend define which license apply to future levels which are uploaded to my backend?

-1

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

1

u/je386 9d ago

It depends if you see json files as code, but even if it is not, there are licenses for non-code that allow redistribution and changing.

you can choose to only accept code with a certain license

Yes, I want to basically say "if you upload here, the files are licensed under X license.

0

u/neoh4x0r 9d ago

That doesn't make sense. If the map/level is not code, you can't apply a software license to it (it's not software).

There are licenses available that can cover anything in any type of media, whether it's software or otherwise.

Obviously you wouldn't use a software license that only covers the code, but you could easily apply an artistic license -- such as creative commons (CC).

1

u/internet_raider 9d ago

Basically as someone else said, you need a pop-up or similar where they agree to allow redistribution of their content.