What are the rules of TDA/Sour/YYB/Cham/Montecore models? What do these rules mean? How can I avoid breaking them?
Rules of Common MMD Models…
…and How to NOT Break Them
TDA, Sour, YYB, Cham, and Montecore are some of the most popular model types people like to use for models, but some of their rules can be confusing and are often broken (whether intentional or not). So here is a basic rundown of all of these model types’ rules, referencing directly from their original README.
TDA:
- The vocaloid models must be used in a way that follows the Piapro Character License
- TDA is not responsible for any damages that’s been caused by the models
- If you want to use models with TDA parts for commercial use (making any kind of money off of it), you need to get permission from both Crypton Future Media Inc. and TDA
- Editing is allowed, but there are some limits:
- You don’t need permission to edit
- Remove the CRYPTON logo on the ankle if it’s present, simply replace the body texture with body00_MikuAp.tga
- If you distribute your edit, you must include both the Japanese and English TDA ReadMe along with it, call your edit TDA Styled ______, and credit TDA along with the editors.
- You cannot redistribute the original model without editing
- You cannot edit the model into a base
- This includes both swimsuit bases and naked bases
- You cannot use a TDA part on a non-TDA model
- This rule is okay to break IF you’re editing the model for a picture or video where TDA Append Miku is the main focus, but the edited model CANNOT be redistributed
- You cannot take parts from models that don’t allow editing and attach them to a TDA model
- You cannot use this model for R18, political, religious, spreading hate, violating public order, or claiming the model as your own.
- Please respect TDA’s models and decisions!
(ReadMe from May 30,1013)
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Sour:
- Sour is not responsible for any damages that’s been caused by the models
- Editing is allowed, but there are some limits:
- You cannot use a Sour part on a non-Sour model
- Unlike TDA, there are no exceptions to this rule
- If you distribute your edit, you must include the Sour ReadMe as well as your own ReadMe along with it.
- You cannot use a Sour part on a non-Sour model
- You cannot use this model for commercial use (making any kind of money off of it), R18, political, religious, spreading hate, violating public order, or claiming the model as your own.
- Basically, have common sense, don’t use the model for anything that would go against it.
- Please respect Sour’s models and decisions!
(ReadMe from March 26, 2019)
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YYB:
- Editing is allowed, but there are some limits:
- You cannot use a YYB part on a non-YYB model
- Unlike TDA, there are no exceptions to this rule
- If you distribute your edit, you must include the original YYB ReadMe and credit YYB, as well as label your edit as “YYB Styled Edit _____”.
- Refrain from using game rip parts on YYB models
- If you do use game parts, don’t distribute it publicly.
- You cannot use a YYB part on a non-YYB model
- You cannot use this model for commercial use (making any kind of money off of it), R18, violent, or religious use.
- User cjpaoshen/粥粥亻/南瓜菌 cannot use YYB models.
- Please respect YYB’s models and decisions!
(ReadMe from August 27th, 2017; Terms update from December 28th, 2017)
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Cham:
- Cham is not responsible for any damages that’s been caused by the model
- You can edit the model and distribute your edit
- Redistributing an original Cham model without editing is not allowed
- You cannot use this model for commercial use (making any kind of money off of it)
- Follow guidelines of the website you’re using the model on, have common sense
- Please respect Cham’s models and decisions!
(ReadMe from December 26, 2016)
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Montecore:
- You can edit the model and distribute your edit
- You cannot use this model for commercial use
- If you use this model for R18, you need to mark your work as R18
- Montecore’s Luka model cannot be used to depict a romantic relationship with a male character
- Please respect Montecore’s models and decisions!
(ReadMe from December 1, 2011)
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Model creators…
… put in a lot of time and effort into their models, and they give it out to the MMD community for free. We need to start paying more attention to these modeler’s rules and respect them. More and more modelers are taking down their models and hiding them behind layers of passwords because of those that disrespect their terms. We are able to download these models for free, don’t take it for granted. Make it a point to READ those ReadMe.txt files included in your model’s folder so that you know the creator’s permissions… translate the ReadMe.txt file if you need to.
Please see LearnMMD’s “Keep the Faith-MMD” page to see a solid write-up about our responsibilities as MMDers who are downloading and using the original art of other artists.
Have fun with MikuMikuDance!
– SEE BELOW for MORE MMD TUTORIALS…
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question…..most of todays parts are game rips,its states in yyb rules that if you use game rip parts just dont distribute it,so…as long as i dont distribute my models as a download to the public is it still ok?
Is there a way to contact both TDA and Crypton Future Media? I was thinking about vtubing with my model edit I have so I want to make sure if they think it’s ok.
Thank you for being so conscientious… sorry I have no answer for you. You will have to GOOGLE it, I guess.
I have written this in Spanish because in the translator it did not sound coherent
But in any case, I’ll leave it here in English:
So, I’ve had this doubt, I can use non-TDA parts on TDA models? I understand that I should not use parts that only allow us to use them in their respective models (Sour, Yyb, etc), but I have found users who create parts and say they have no problem asking on TDA models, but I want to know if do this I’m breaking some TDA rule
Hello! What do you do with these modified models? I feel that if your modified model is only for your own use, then, you have no problem. Please do not share or redistribute the modified models. AND Give full credit to the original model and list the changes you have made to that model in the description of your video.
Oh, these models are for personal use, I do not feel able to give them to distribution, so…
Oh, these models are for personal use. Well, thank you very much for the answer <3!
I feel your pain. The “rules” can seem very stiff… but rather than feel locked-in by them, as a hobbyist, just do what you feel comfortable with. … It’s that guy in the mirror that you want to be proud of you.
Does YYB’s rules still apply if I’m using, not a game rip, but an officially released model from a game and attach it to a YYB edited model? As long as it’s personal use?
I believe that if you are not sharing the model but are simply using and enjoying the model that, then, you are OK. I have no problem with “doing what you need to” to models for your own personal use. Don’t circumvent the creator’s wishes as far as R-rated/Violence/XXX stuff and whatever else he lists along those lines… … in the credits of your animation, Credit the creator and note what changes you have made. … and don’t share the changed model without the creator’s permission.
— Reggie
Does the TDA body count as a part? I’ve made models before I was aware of this and I need to know if I should take action.
Never Mind, I’ve just decided to Label it as a TDA model, since I took a part from another model, not from TDA.
Is it legal to then use the software to sell models and motion data made in mmd/pmx?
You can sell motions, but you cannot sell models.
Haley, I see the other reply, here: You can sell motions, but you cannot sell models.
THAT is not really true. IF YOU CREATE a model COMPLETELY from scratch using PMXE, Blender, or any of the related softwares… so that you have used no parts that someone, anyone else created, then, Yes, you can sell your model. … but… if ANY part of your model was something created by someone else, you will need to get that person’s permission before you can sell your model. … AND, if the model you create looks like a copyrighted model, is a knock-off of a copyrighted model, then you cannot sell THAT model, either… You may not create a model of MIKU from scratch and sell it. As with Disney and Mickey Mouse, there’s a good chance that Crypton Future Media, Inc. will come looking for you with a court order and a demand for damages.
MOTIONS… SAME THING. … No copyright issue… but if your motion contains any bits or fragments of someone else’s work, then you cannot sell that motion file without that other creator’s permission.
— Reggie
so in regards to motion data, if someone traces choreography from a popular k-pop group and credits them, they can sell it right? I’ve seen many a mmd sell credited motion data, is that considered taking fragments of someone elses work?
I believe you could motion-trace from a live video and then sell your resulting MMD motion-file product. I see no conflict, at all.
lol my bad! i forgot to add that part!
It’s sad how many of Tda’s rules have been broken…. tons of bases have been produced, heck ton of R18 in my recommendations I dunno why, lots of edits used Tda parts, etc….. and I’ve seen lots of R18 with YYB, Tda and Sour models…. gross…. I’ve even seen Sour models used commercially (YouTube video monetization- not because of the song used, but the creator purposely made money off of it)… and there’s no action taken. And huh, Montecore Luka is a lesbian?
It is not fair of you to delete my question without even replying me at least to my email. So I will kindly ask again: Can you please make a guide how to properly use PRINZ EUGEN character model?
https://3d.nicovideo.jp/works/td43641
Thank you.
You could at least reply to me with: “I don’t want to!” or “I don’ know how to!”…