Are ETS2 Mods Legal? Mostly Yes, But it‘s Complex
As an avid Euro Truck Simulator 2 player with hundreds of hours behind the virtual wheel, I can confidently say that modding takes the game to an entirely new level. From adjusting physics for more realistic handling to adding flashy neon lights for style, mods let us customize ETS2 into our ideal trucking sandbox.
But is downloading and sharing all these amazing community-created mods even legal? Can we face consequences for using them? As a fellow modder and content creator, I‘ve done deep research into the legalities at play. Read on for an in-depth look at ETS2 mod laws.
Most Mods are Perfectly Legal
The basic good news is that the majority of ETS2 mods available today are 100% legal for players to use. SCS Software, the developers, fully support modding for single-player fun.
As of 2022, over 80,000 ETS2 mods have been uploaded to sites like Steam Workshop and ETS2.lt. Most tinker with existing game elements like truck physics and graphics. Others introduce wild, fictional truck models covered in chrome and racing stripes. Both categories are great legal ways to customize your experience.
As long as mods aren‘t enabling piracy, promoting offensive/dangerous content, or using unlicensed brands, SCS gives the green light.
Multiplayer Mods Get Tricky
One gray area is using mods in ETS2‘s multiplayer Convoy mode. To prevent crashes and cheating, SCS requires all players in a Convoy session to have the exact same collection of mods installed.
So if you try joining a friend‘s Convoy while running 20 graphics mods they don‘t have, you‘ll get kicked out for mismatching assets. It forces the community to stay updated on the same sets of mods.
Brand Licensing Varies by Truck
Now, what about those glorious mods that add real semi truck brands and models into the game? This is where legality becomes tricky and risky.
Whether a branded truck mod is legal depends on whether the modder has explicitly licensed the rights to depict that intellectual property. Unlicensed use of brand names and designs constitutes copyright infringement.
For example, esteemed modder 50keda released an incredible Scania truck model for ETS2 complete with the matching grill, badges, and paint job. This was only possible thanks to a special licensing agreement with the actual Scania company, allowing 50keda to recreate their trademark style.
On the other end of the spectrum are the numerous bootleg truck mods using unlicensed brands like Western Star or Volvo. These imply sponsorship or endorsement by the real-world manufacturers when none exists. And offering paid downloads for these fakes via sites like Patreon likely violates copyrights too.
As a good rule of thumb, branded truck mods distributed on curated sites like Steam Workshop tend to be licensed and legal. But random links on sketchy forums often don‘t have proper permissions. When in doubt, dig for info on licensing before hitting subscribe.
Inappropriate Content Also Risky (and Gross)
Along with copyright issues, ETS2 modders also need to avoid offensive or dangerous content per SCS‘s rules. So obscene truck liveries, brand logos for illegal products, sexually explicit deco, and the like are all forbidden.
Unfortunately, search for ETS2 mods long enough and you‘ll stumble on creepy adult-themes trucks that violate policies against pornographic content. Others feature cigarettes, drugs, or criminal themes totally unsuitable for the game.
These mods rightfully get removed quickly by platform admins. But impressionable new players may get exposed during that window. It‘s an unpleasant reality of user-generated mods that parents should watch out for.
On the bright side, sites like Steam Workshop do have reporting tools to suppress shady mods. So the community helps take out the trash. We have to take care of our own!
Selling Mods Opens Another Can of Worms
Finally, let‘s talk about turning modding skills into real money. Lots of ETS2 modders offer paid downloads, early access, and branded merchandise for fans via Patreon or Gumroad. Is cashing in legal?
Once again – it depends. As modders, we pour hours of hard work into creating quality truck models, custom environments, and script extensions for fellow sim drivers to enjoy. So wanting financial support seems fair to keep chasing that passion.
However, SCS‘s Terms of Service strictly prohibit making and selling derivative works based on ETS2 without explicit authorization from the company. So slapping a price tag on our mods could trigger takedown requests or lawsuits from SCS over unauthorized commercial use of their intellectual property.
The only clear exception is if SCS offers you an official branding partnership, like they have with elite modders such as Harven and 50keda. Those lucky few get licensed merch stores on sites like Teespring selling shirts and hats branded with the mod team logos.
For the rest of us, monetizing our ETS2 mods directly does technically violate the rules. Crowdfunding via voluntary donations seems to fly under the radar. But buyers should beware of illicit mod stores selling copyrighted works.
On the bright side, the joy of sharing our creative mods with an amazing community of fellow truckers is reward enough for most hobbyists. We mod to give players options, not to get rich.
The Legal Landscape is Always Evolving
To sum up this lengthy analysis on ETS2 mod legality:
- Most single-player mods are A-OK
- Multiplayer requires strict matching to avoid crashes
- Brand usage often violates copyrights without licensing
- Offensive content breaks platform rules
- Selling mods contradicts terms of service
The exact laws are continually evolving across countries and platforms. What may be acceptable today could get challenged tomorrow. So modders need to stay cautiously compliant.
My advice is to enjoy the incredible variety of legal mods enhancing ETS2 for free, but avoid temptation to pirate assets or make money off other‘s work without explicit permission. Our passion as a community has to stay grounded in respect.
That way we can keep on truckin‘ the open virtual roads for many years to come without unwanted trouble knockin‘! Let me know in the comments your favorite go-to mods and why you love spice up your own ETS2 journey. Together, we‘ll map out the true potential of this legendary sim.
