Redistributing Google 3D Warehouse models

[puyb...@eteks.com]

Hi, 

I'm the developer of Sweet Home 3D, a free interior design application programmed in Java and released under GNU GPL.

In the last version 2.4 of this software, I added the ability to import 3D models at DAE/Collada format, and of course I tested the DAE loader with numerous models available at Google 3D Warehouse.

From the section 11.4 of the Google 3D Warehouse terms of service, I understand that I can't redistribute models available at Google 3D Warehouse like I did in this page with models created by contributors under a free license like Creative Commons ones. 

But let's consider this scenario: a user designs his interior with Sweet Home 3D and includes in his document one or more models coming from Google 3D Warehouse. Then, he wants to show his design to a public community like the visitors of Sweet Home 3D forum. Would you consider that publishing such a Sweet Home 3D document on a public web server is some kind of redistribution?

Thank you for your answer 

--

Emmanuel Puybaret

[puyb...@eteks.com]

Hum, I'm not sure I referenced the right part of Google 3D Warehouse terms of service since the section 11 is addressed to contributors and not to users who download content. 

Should Sweet Home 3D users rather take into account the last sentence of the section 8.2 stating "For the avoidance of doubt, you may modify, distribute, and create derivative works of Content uploaded by other users in 3D Warehouse."?

If yes, I guess Sweet Home 3D users can create any document derived from a model downloaded on Google 3D Warehouse, don't they?

[bryce]

Hi Emmanuel

As long as the intent is to share the design with a public community,
it would not be considered aggregating content for redistribution.

Best Regards
Bryce S.
Product Manager - 3D warehouse

[bryce]

Hi Emmanuel

The use case you describe is allowed under section 8.2. If you have
further questions you should seek legal advice from an attorney.

Best Regards!
~Bryce

[Manu]

Thank you Bryce for your answers. :-)

I don't have the means to pay an attorney, but your answers confirm
the spirit I understood first when I read the terms of service:
no problem to reuse the models coming from Google 3D Warehouse, as
long as you respect the copyrights of their creator and don't create a
service competing with Google 3D Warehouse.
It's not as free (like freedom) as Creative Commons "By" license but
it's largely enough for Sweet Home 3D community to work with the
models of Google 3D Warehouse. ;-)

Thank you for your help
--
Emmanuel Puybaret