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Modpack License Example

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asanetargoss edited this page Mar 3, 2025 · 1 revision

This is a copy of the file hardcore_alchemy_modpack_LICENSE.txt for a work-in-progress version of the 0.8.5 version of the Hardcore Alchemy modpack. This copy of the license, along with its non-legally binding forward, is not legally binding for any version of the modpack and is provided for educational purposes only. The license is subject to change with each new release of the modpack, and is applicable to that version of the modpack only.

Please see the folder .minecraft/licenses, minecraft/licenses, or equivalent in your personal copy of the Hardcore Alchemy modpack, for the actual license which applies to you.

Hardcore Alchemy: Magic With Consequences, by asanetargoss, also known as the "Hardcore Alchemy modpack", is a modpack for Minecraft: Java Edition. A modpack is a type of third-party mod for a video game, usually consisting of a bunch of smaller mods made by various different authors. The resulting modpack is redistributed by the modpack author(s), according to the permissions, licenses, and general goodwill of the individual mod authors.

Throughout the license for the Hardcore Alchemy modpack, the phrase, "to the maximum extent permitted by relevant terms" is used. This phrase is meant to convey the specific situations where parts of the license may or may not apply. As a recipient of the modpack, it is important for you to understand that this impacts what you are allowed to do with the modpack. In particular:

  • Other mods are under various different licenses, while some mod authors reserve the right to change their rules at any time. In practice, this mainly means you can't use the modpack commercially. But many mod authors have a narrower definition of "commercial use" than its actual legal definition, so take that with a grain of salt, and ask if you're not sure.
  • Most mods require you to give credit and disclose licensing information
  • Because these mods are for Minecraft, you also need to follow the EULA
  • Minetweaker scripts (.zs) are under the Hardcore Alchemy modpack license unless stated otherwise in the top of the script file.
    • A few individual scripts are GPLv3-licensed due to referencing GPLv3-licensed mods (Astral Sorcery and Iron Backpacks)

OK. So that's the gist of the mod licenses. But what about the Hardcore Alchemy modpack itself? Below the dashed line is the actual license, but here's the short version:

The BIG thing I don't want people to do, is to distribute modified versions of the modpack, or use substantial portions of the modpack in their own pack. Please try to be original!

Also, please do not distribute "incomplete" versions of the modpack, such as Curseforge/Modrinth manifests or "netinstalls", because they are prone to breaking whenever someone decides to shut a server down. Please instead only redistribute the official, big, fat, MultiMC .zip file. Ideally, we will never have to modify that modpack file at all, and then we can all easily identify it with a SHA-256 checksum several years later. Yay! But if you need to remove a mod because some modder doesn't want their mods used in packs anymore (in a legally enforceable way), that's OK.

Last but not least, if you make a modpack inspired by this one, please give it a completely unique name and description.

That's the short of it. Read on for the full license.

Copyright 2017-2025 asanetargoss. All Rights Reserved.

I. Definitions

  1. "the author" - asanetargoss
  2. "the modpack" - One particular expression of the Hardcore Alchemy modpack, including any and all files included with it in whole or in part, as well as the curation of those files, conveyed through whatever means that the author chooses to distribute the modpack, and which includes this license; as well as any subsequent redistribution, either modified or unmodified, in whole or in part
  3. "standalone" - A specific type of expression of the modpack given to the user as a non-executable file archive in an openly available format (for example, .zip or .tar.gz). Such an expression of the modpack does not require downloading of additional files with the possible exceptions of Java, Minecraft Forge, Minecraft, and any associated dependencies of these files. a. An example of a standalone version of the modpack is a .zip file exported from MultiMC by the author, containing all the Forge mods for the modpack. b. An example of a version of the modpack which is not standalone is a modpack manifest file which contains instructions to download Forge mods from a CDN.
  4. "standalone modpack" - The modpack in a form which is standalone
  5. "user" - An individual living member of the human species or similarly capable autonomous being, with free will and self-awareness, who receives a copy of the modpack through a means authorized by the author or permitted by this license
  6. "mod" - Any file contained in the modpack designed to alter a program, including but not limited to a .jar file, a texture, a translation file, a sound file, any other type of asset, a configuration file, or a script
  7. "Forge mod" - A mod in the form of a .jar file which uses Minecraft Forge's API
  8. "relevant terms" - Any terms of use for a file or software which is needed for the modpack to function, including but not limited to licenses and permissions

II. No Implication of Endorsement

The user shall not engage in any activity permitted under this license in a manner which implies endorsement by the author.

III. Personal Use

The user may:

  1. Extract, install, and/or play the modpack
  2. Make private copies of the modpack
  3. Publicly perform the modpack
  4. Make private changes to the modpack
  5. Create and distribute mods which facilitate making private changes, provided that the following conditions are met: a. Any mods for such purpose must not be conveyed in a manner that implies it is a sequel or spiritual successor to the modpack b. Any mods for such purpose must not be conveyed in a manner that uses or adapts any marketing material used by the author to advertise or describe the modpack c. Any mods for such purpose must be distributed separately from the modpack itself

IV. Redistribution

The user may redistribute the whole standalone modpack only if all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The author is given credit for the modpack
  2. The file containing this license must be redistributed with the modpack unchanged from its original form, with its original file name, in a clear and obvious location
  3. The modpack must not be changed from its original form as conveyed by the author, with the following exceptions: a. A mod may be removed by the user if the license or permissions of that specific mod changes to universally prohibit redistribution in the modpack b. Changes may be made by the user where absolutely necessary to improve user privacy or fix computer security issues c. Changes may be made by the user where absolutely necessary to fix bugs caused by other public changes to the modpack permitted by this license d. Changes may be made by the user to more closely resemble the original copy of the modpack e. A changelog and/or credits list may be included which faithfully indicates changes made over time, and gives appropriate credit for anyone who made changes at any point in time.
  4. When the modpack is modified in a manner permitted by this license, the resulting modpack conveyed through the medium must also be standalone.
  5. When the modpack is modified in a manner permitted by this license, it must be clearly labeled as a modified version
  6. The means of redistribution must not automatically apply changes on top of the standalone modpack, except when required to faithfully extract and run the modpack as conveyed in its standalone form.

V. Mod Licenses

  1. To the maximum extent permitted by relevant terms, the license for the modpack shall take precedent over the licenses for the individual mods. This includes but is not limited to mods created by the author, and mods whose licenses permit relicensing.
  2. As an exception to the above rule, the user may copy and use the Forge mods affected by this license outside of the modpack in a manner permitted by the licenses of the respective Forge mods, provided the following conditions are met for the resulting work: a. The resulting work must be substantially different from the modpack b. The resulting work must have a different name which is not easily confused with the name of the modpack c. The resulting work must not be conveyed in a manner that implies it is a sequel or spiritual successor to the modpack d. The resulting work must not be conveyed in a manner that uses or adapts any marketing material used by the author to advertise or describe the modpack

VI. Server Use

The user may run a Minecraft server using their private copy of the modpack.

VII. Commercial Use

To the maximum extent permitted by relevant terms, the user may profit from the modpack and/or the mods therein.

VIII. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability

THE MODPACK IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR NOR THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MODPACK OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE MODPACK.

IX. Unenforcability

If any part of this license should be deemed unenforceable in a given circumstance, the rest of the license shall remain in full force and effect.

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