This mod was previously uploaded under the same name, and in one of the updates for the previous upload I had used code from 2 Authors on the workshop with links and credits stating I was using their work as learning tools for creating mods via LUA, however I did so without asking permission.

Upon receiving notice this had displeased one of the original creators I promptly opened communications and spoke to them in private as well as removed the mod in it's entirety from the Workshop out of respect for their intellectual property.

In our DM's I had made my apology and clarified that I meant no malice nor had I any intent of claiming credit for the work, and that I wanted to make things right. I offered a full rewrite of my mod making our mods compatible, I offered co-authorship, and I also offered to change the affected items to no longer add body locations to the same equipment as their mod in hopes to remedy the situation.

The other creator however felt that these changes were not sufficient and we had a falling out and stopped communication. I then rewrote this mod using wholey original code and re-uploaded it confident the code used was now that of my own by switching from a LUA format to using Scripts as well as fully original naming conventions. In the re-upload I had a public statement in the description explaining the situation and an apology to the creator, as well as crediting the original Author as Inspiration to the mod with links to their work in the Description.

However this new version was also DMCA'd despite containing no copyrighted material and doing my earnest to make right by the situation. I had put in an appeal as the a DMCA strike filed is quite serious and would be handled by my local jurisdiction and the claim would not hold any merit if proceeded to court.

I started modding this January and have been very saddened that one of my small mods has caused discourse in the community, this is why I intentionally do not say who it was out of respect for them as a mod Author, the situation has been handled by the appropriate authorities and I hold no contempt and hope that things mend and the other creator will return to modding.

I believe the whole situation was a big misunderstanding and I wish for the Workshop to continue being a safe and welcoming place for all creators. I have no intent to hide any of my actions and truly wish the best for them and only hope to grow and learn from this situation as a whole and is not a mistake I will make again.

It's an uncomfortable situation for sure, I wish to tow the line of transparency and respect and thus upon recommendation have added a Discussion here. I strongly believe that even when someone is wrong that it is within the right of the community to be able to Discuss things even if it puts me under scrutiny. I do not wish any action taken against anyone and the situation as far as legal claims goes has been resolved and I wish now to get back to learning how to code but with new found knowledge on the proper procedure to self teach myself coding without damaging other creators.

Thank you to all the kind community members that helped talk me through the situation and all the advice given on how to appropriately approach each step. I want to give big credits especially to Nepenthe, Nepenthe was one of the Author's I used code from without permission and when I finally reached out to them to apologize they were incredibly kind, welcoming, and forgiving, and even gave direct permission to use his code. Although I decided on using original code I found this to be tremendously heartwarming and they deserve to be praised for willingly helping me despite the events that took place.

I hope this is a tasteful breakdown of the situation, I do not wish to escalate things, and I am truly sorry for creating a situation that brings stress into the fun safe space of modding.