"Qwer - Unknown - permission isn't required if you use public-released models. You just have to put author name in credits."
My response got lost just before posting yesterday so I'm late comming back to this.
It's just very good manners and shows you respect authors. Most FS2 content here has been made with implied consent for others to take it apart and make stuff with , as long as proper credits are maintained.
Showing you are a stand up type person from day 1 will get you farther in the community, than having to deal with a situation later on that taking the time to send a note would avoid.
All MODS are publicly released, the difference if it is considered Public Domain. This community really doesn't (and hasn't) dealt with that issue, yet. A lot of other communities do NOT consider the mods they release to be Public Domain. So I think it's good to break in new modders from the start about modding etiquette.
If there is a "read me" with the file, then looking at that first also tells you initially the author's attitude.
Statements like:
"Do what you want" - Just crediting is required...
"Fine, but ask me first" - Use their email or forum PM
"I will hunt you down with wolves" - Definately need to ask, but get prepaered for a probable rejection.
There are FEW instances (unless you do like me and get sources from outside the community) of mods being "exclusive", meaning they were intended for that mod only. Just something you might need to be aware of.
l8tr!