A cautionary tale to FG .mod developers
May have missed this but I think it should be a post as users and developers of 5E FG modules should be aware. Should really be known by any developer of FG .mod data deliverables, so the same mistakes are not repeated.
Smiteworks recently determined that a number of 5E .mod data files have been copying WOTC .mod data to such an extent that they could actually be used in place of those modules. As that is a violation of license agreements all .mod files that do this have been instructed to change. In most cases, this involves supplying reference links to the WOTC .mod data (not copied text descriptions). From the user's perspective this means that these .mod files will be redelivered at some point soon with data links in place of actual text descriptions (originally copied from WOTC mods). Basically, where you used to see a spell description, npc other tab text, or item descriptions immediately when you click on their links for those supplemental module data - you will now have another link you will need to click (leading to WOTC mod data) to see the text. This way WOTC mods will be required to be loaded with the .mods that are supplemental to them and can't be replaced by them. And if unloaded the links will give the FG module not loaded message.
Evidently, this has been going on for a long time so it kind of built on itself as other .mod developers saw what previous .mod developers had done, and assumed it was OK to do that. It never was.
So, you may have noticed a bunch of .mods being updated, but no clear explanation about why they were changing.
I know the ones I use will be updated within the week - but this should be a cautionary tale to FG .mod developers, you can't make a supplement to proprietary data that can work without that proprietary .mod loaded. Even if its been done that way in other .mods for years. The crackdown has occurred, changes are in progress.
Now you know why.