Maps from GTA3/VC and legal issues

[DiSaMe]

This question isn't directly related to MTA, but since I have plans to do something in MTA, I'm asking here. Although mods which bring the map of one game to another (such as Liberty City in GTA SA) are pretty common, I still want to ask to be sure. Is it completely legal to make such mods freely available to download? I mean, the map makes up a big part of the game's content, so converting it to the other game's format and uploading it is not so much different from uploading the game itself. I would like to try putting the Liberty City and Vice City from GTA3 and GTA VC into MTA server, but is it legal to simply upload the map models and textures converted to GTA SA format or is there anything else I need to take care of?

[dzek (varez)]

Well. Answer won't be simple, as probably it depends on law regulations in your country. I think Rockstar would be ok with this - there's a lot mods like this, but in single player. Nobody complained or I don't know about it. Also - a game is much more than just map - vehicles/peds work, music, sounds, storyline and everything else. If you don't want to sell it for money - I don't see any problem here.

[DiSaMe]

Thanks for the answer, I think it was helpful. Although I don't feel interested in this now, I may try doing something later.

[Woovie]

Contact x86/Sebas about this. He did some work on it.