[Bf-committers] Add-ons in Blender for commercial services

[Terry Wallwork]

On 07/08/13 12:40, Ton Roosendaal wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Hopefully this doesn't become a huge thread - I'd mainly like to get some feedback from frequent contributors.
>
> Some companies have contacted me about the possibility of having an add-on in our releases that hook up Blender with their services. That's for example Shapeways, but also render farm providers.
>
> Such addons would make it easier for users to submit 3d models to a 3d printing service (one click submit, costs feedback, etc). Or for submitting render jobs to a farm with some feedback mechanisms.
>
> I'm still struggling with how or if we want this... I certainly don't want to open up Blender for crappy commercialization with logos, banners, etc.
>
> A workable proposal I formulated is below, for which I'd like some feedback.
>
> ------
>
> BF will accept add-ons in a release from commercial vendors/services under the following conditions:
>
> 1) Compliancy
> The add-on should comply to the same quality/design rules as we do for regular add-ons. That includes license compliancy, but also to not include banners, logos or advertisement.
> The add-on would default be not enabled, users have to activate it themselves.
>
> 2) Clear user benefit
> The add-on should provide functionality to 3D artists that's useful to have inside Blender. It can't be for promotional usage of non-functional features (like linking to websites only, for tutorials, book stores, etc).
>
> 3) Developed and maintained well
> The add-on is being created and maintained by the service provider (or a contracter managed by them).
>
> 4) Development Fund support
> The service provider signs up for Diamond Sponsor level (250 euro per month). Cancelling a payment then also means we can drop the add-on. Any service that's not making this profits per month with an add-on, can be considered to be not interested to have such an add-on either.
>
>
> -Ton-
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Ton Roosendaal  -  ton at blender.org   -   www.blender.org
> Chairman Blender Foundation - Producer Blender Institute
> Entrepotdok 57A  -  1018AD Amsterdam  -  The Netherlands
>
>
>
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Hi,

     Would there be some sort of catch all condition which would allow 
you to reject an addon even if it meets all the rules you specified.  
Giving you overall veto.  I ask because the commercial addon writers 
will try to game the system if it becomes popular to get addons in Blender.

Ton/BF having a veto would help stop arguments with writers that try and 
game the system.  Because then you can just say to them there is 
veto/your decisions is final sort of thing.  It could act as a safety 
valve to keep out the sneaky addons that are gaming.

Other than that it seem like an excellent idea to me what you are proposing.

Terry Wallwork