GTA 5’s biggest RP mod ignites a huge copyright purge of real-world cars just 2 months after joining Rockstar

gamesradar.com:

Following an acquisition by Rockstar Games, the team behind GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2’s biggest roleplay mods is enforcing copyright compliance more closely, posing some big questions for several servers.  

Speaking on a recent community update, the team behind FiveM and RedM – essentially mods that enable you to play multiplayer on customized, dedicated servers – reveals that replacing the logo on real-world cars in-game isn’t enough to be IP compliant. Now, cars replicating those available outside the game will be scrubbed out, as per a new Platform License Agreement. 

“‘De-badging’ vehicles is a first good step but that alone does not mean your server is fully compliant with the PLA,” the statement from Cfx.re reads. “You must fully remove all real-world vehicles from your server.

“We cannot allow custom assets or mods that infringe third-party intellectual property (IP). Real-world brands, unique vehicle designs, and 3D software models are generally protectable under trademark or copyright. If you use a real-world car model pulled from another game without permission, that could result in claims against your server by both the car company (brand, logo, car design) or the game developer (3D model).

“What can you use instead? We encourage the community to get creative – design your own unique vehicles and brands!”

While that sentiment likely applies to anything that may infringe on another’s IP, cars have likely been used due to their popularity among FiveM servers. Not only do you get servers dedicated to car meets and racing, but some charge players for using a vehicle that represents the same thing. 

As such, some haven’t taken the news too well, though plenty sympathize with Cfx.re, saying that the team is