Discussion – When does it become your own work.

OK, before I ask the question, I know that there are no black and white answers to this, I’d just like to hear other peoples opinions. Although it applies to all content creation I am posting it here because I think the texture artists are most vulnerable to the problem,

I don’t do textures myself, although I am learning slowly, thanks to the efforts of people in this forum, however I do respect there IP rights and will always purchase the textures I want.

Most textures are sold with a license that states you may use them in your own creations, but not sell them as textures.

That’s easy, but where do you draw the line?

For example:

I purchase a texture pack, and then resell it without adding anything – Clearly WRONG.

I use the textures to enhance my building of the (but any big build here) clearly OK.

I use a free script that uses the texture to create a particle garden, this is bit greyer, I have added something, but I feel myself not enough, the sole purpose of the script is to display the texture. ( I have done this and I won’t sell it because personally I don’t believe I have added enough to make it mine).

I also have a fountain I built that uses the exact same script and textures to produce a flower border around it, this I feel is OK because I have added enough to make it my work, the fountain is nice without the textures.

So my question is at what point does it become your work rather than an excuse to use someone else’s work.

As I said II know there can be no clear cut line but I would be interested to hear other peoples opinion.

If you are selling the texture then I'd say don't do it. If your product simply incorporates the texture (which sold textures are intended to do) then it's OK.

As long as you aren't selling the actual texture, then as far as I'm concerned it's completely acceptable. If you have to include the actual texture in your product, make sure it's not set to resell.