Is it legal?

I don't know if this thread already exist. But this is important for me:

So I wanna make a game in unity (huge game), I have already huge plans BUT there is a problem....
I can't make a lot in game by myself so I thinking is legal to have downloaded object in game.
I know there is a massive number of object you can buy or download. I don't have money so I thinking
about downloading them. So I only wanna know is legal to have downloaded object in game.


This all mybe sound funny for you if you know all of this stuffs. TNX I count on your answer already
FraneKingzy

 

If the objects are offered completely free (which allows you to use them in projects either personal or commercial) that is fine. If you are downloading without paying, then yes that is illegal.

 

Each download usually contains license file which tells you what you can do with it like:

• for personal use only
• non commercial use only
• free and commercial use
• ...

and in addition to above some of them may require you to mention the author name in credits

 

Tnx thats what I need, I'm never sure to much so thats why I posted this thread. This could be biggest thing I ever done so just TNX

 

There's lots of free assets out there so there's not really a need for it. Also, try to read up on "fair use" laws. And lastly, it's perfectly legal to use anything for your own purposes so long as it's not distributed (and even then, many companies turn a blind eye to fan projects, such as Nintendo and the many Mario mods).

 

Thats okay, I just needed some advice about that, because its really hard to do them (I mean on objects )
I dont think about few object I have in plan MASSIVE number of them....TNX anyway

 

First question is always, do you want to make money with your project? If so, be extremely careful with using anything "free" or already existing because there are many ways that this can get you into trouble. There are laws that allow you to mimic things, I think there had to be a 25% (don't qoute me on this) on everything related to the object but some stuff like names, brand logos etc has additional laws that can complicate stuff. That is why many companies have senior artists that are specialized in this area, that can determine if additional changes are needed and lawyers that can assist them with investigating stuff because laws also change between countries.

Free stuff is like a minefield... some stuff get stolen and sold on different websites... using these can get you into trouble and it won't help you in many cases to blame the original thief... it was your responsibility to investigate the asset and make sure that it was 100% legal.
Again, laws also change, you might be safe when releasing it in your country but you might end up with lawyers breathing down your neck as soon as your project is released in another country.

Some companies are a bit kinder with people that do personal or school stuff that won't get released into the public... but the risks increases dramatically if it is a project released in the public sphere. Even greater if you intend to earn money with it. Remember that laws often forces the rightful owners to defend their products if they want to keep their ownership...

So is it worth taking the risks?