You own mods you create from scratch for Minecraft Java Edition, but you cannot sell them or distribute versions of the game that include your mods combined with Minecraft itself.
This analysis describes what Minecraft's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision allocates intellectual property ownership between the licensor and user-created modifications, while establishing operational boundaries on distribution and commercialization. The distinction between permissible Mods and prohibited Modded Versions of game software establishes the scope of permitted derivative works.
Interpretive note: The boundary between a permitted distributable mod and a prohibited modded version depends on Mojang's discretionary classification, and applicable software law in some jurisdictions may create exceptions to the stated restrictions.
Mod creators retain ownership of their original mod code and content but are prohibited by the agreement from monetizing those mods or distributing them packaged together with Minecraft's game software, limiting revenue options for the Java Edition modding community.
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"Any Mods you create for Minecraft: Java Edition from scratch belong to you (including pre-run Mods and in-memory Mods) and you can do whatever you want with them, as long as you don't sell them for money / try to make money from them and so long as you don't distribute Modded Versions of the game. Remember that a Mod means something that is your original work and that does not contain a substantial part of our code or content. You only own what you created; you do not own our code or content. You may not distribute any Modded Versions of our game or software, and we'd appreciate it if you didn't use Mods for griefing. Basically, Mods are okay to distribute; hacked versions or Modded Versions of the game client or server software are not okay to distribute.— Excerpt from Minecraft's Minecraft End User License Agreement
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages copyright law applicable to software in the US, EU, and internationally. The EULA's assertion that Mojang has the final say on what constitutes a mod versus a modded version may be subject to challenge under applicable software law in jurisdictions where certain modification rights are reserved to lawful purchasers. The EU Software Directive and US copyright fair use doctrine may create exceptions not fully addressed by EULA language. 2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The prohibition on monetization of mods is clearly stated, but the line between a permitted distributable mod and a prohibited modded version of the game may be operationally unclear for complex mods that interact deeply with game code. Mojang expressly reserves the right to make the final determination on this classification. 3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU users may have rights under the Software Directive regarding interoperability and permitted modification of lawfully purchased software that could limit the enforceability of certain aspects of this provision. Mod creators in the US should note that the prohibition on monetization may interact with platform policies on donation-based or Patreon-style funding. 4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Organizations or platforms that host mod repositories should assess their own liability for hosting mods that Mojang may classify as modded versions rather than standalone mods. The EULA's statement that Mojang may take down mods violating Usage Guidelines adds a further enforcement risk for hosting platforms. 5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Java Edition mod developers should review whether their mod qualifies as an original creation without substantial Mojang code or content, and should avoid any monetization structure that could be interpreted as selling the mod or making money from it. Mod distribution platforms should implement terms of service aligned with these restrictions and maintain processes for responding to Mojang takedown requests.
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This provision allocates intellectual property ownership between the licensor and user-created modifications, while establishing operational boundaries on distribution and commercialization. The distinction between permissible Mods and prohibited Modded Versions of game software establishes the scope of permitted derivative works.
Mod creators retain ownership of their original mod code and content but are prohibited by the agreement from monetizing those mods or distributing them packaged together with Minecraft's game software, limiting revenue options for the Java Edition modding community.
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