MSW Content Production IP Usage Guide
Last Updated: 2025. 03. 20.
Toben Studio Inc. (“Toben”) has prepared this MSW Content Production IP Usage Guide (this “Guide”) to provide Creators with rules regarding the use of the services, including the development of Creator Generated Content (“CGC”) within the MapleStory World platform (“Platform”). We hope that the information provided in this Guide will help Creators have a smooth experience creating and publishing CGC.
1. Intellectual property (“IP”) refers to the rights that protect unique creations, characters, stories and images, and, in the case of games, it includes worlds, setting, story, characters, monsters, images, background, music, visuals, and other materials, works and creations that make up a game.
2. Creators may make CGC, such as individual Worlds, items, images, sounds, and other data by utilizing: (i) the Game IP (see Section 3) within the scope permitted in this Guide; and (ii) any other IP provided directly by Toben to Creators for use on the Platform (altogether, the “Permitted IP”). CGC includes new works based on the Permitted IP where the Creator has added or changed the Permitted IP in some substantial, creative manner.
3. Pursuant to Section 2, Toben authorizes Creators to use the IP of the following games (the “Game IP”) on the Platform to create and publish CGC:
(1) MapleStory (including any original contents of MapleStory serviced outside of Korea; however, for the 2D side-scrolling RPG content, only the MapleStory contents prior to the "2016. 6. 30. V update" (Korea time) are permitted for use as further specified in Section 5(1); and
(2) The Kingdom of the Winds serviced within Korea (for the 2D isometric RPG content, only The Kingdom of the Winds contents from the “2003. 6. 3. Dream Isle Update“ (Korea time) and previous updates are permitted for use, as further specified in Section 5(2));
(3) Qplay; and
(4) Durango: Wild Lands
4. However, Creators may not utilize any of the Permitted IP to create and publish CGC if any of the following applies:
(1) when the IP is being used or had been used in any games stipulated in Section 3 for the purpose of promotion or collaboration with a third party, such as a collaboration between Nexon and a brand or celebrity;
(2) when the CGC is identical or substantially similar to any games published by Nexon Korea Corporation, and that could be mistaken for official content of Nexon Korea Corporation as specified in Section 5; or
(3) when the CGC is identical or substantially similar to any Original Worlds in the Platform. However, Creators may utilize their own CGC if the CGC follows Section 5. For clarity, “Original World” means any worlds and contents within the worlds, developed and operated by the Nexon Korea Corporation.
5. Creators must comply with the following obligations when creating and publishing CGC in connection with Section 4 of this Guide:
(1) ‘2D side-scrolling RPG content’ utilizing MapleStory IP (including any original content of MapleStory serviced outside of Korea) shall be considered identical or substantially similar to the MapleStory game published by Nexon Korea Corporation unless the content is limited to MapleStory IP prior to the “2016. 6. 30. V update” (Korea time) which includes the 5th pre-release content. (The specified date is based on the MapleStory Korea schedule, and for global MapleStory versions, it will follow the respective update implementation timeline for each region.)
(2) ‘2D RPG content’ utilizing The Kingdom of the Winds IP shall be considered identical or substantially similar to The Kingdom of the Winds game published by Nexon Korea Corporation unless the content is limited to The Kingdom of the Winds IP from the “2003. 6. 3. Dream Isle Update” (Korea time) and previous updates. For clarity, any content from The Kingdom of the Winds games published outside of Korea (i.e., “Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds”) is not part of the Permitted IP.
(3) Creators can find a detailed FAQ document (link) regarding the scope of permitted use of the IP. Creators are required to comply with the obligations under this Guide as it is interpreted by the FAQ document. Creators are encouraged to request guidance from Toben through the MapleStory World Customer Center when needed.
(4) The obligations set forth here apply not only when each applicable World is created, but also when any changes or updates are made to the content.
6. Creators who use IP owned by a third party, must obtain permission from that third party (including Nexon Korea Corporation in order to seek additional permission other than those specified in Section 3 of this Guide). Creators are primarily responsible for any legal liability arising from or related to the CGC they have created using any IP or rights owned by a third party.
7. Creators shall comply with any applicable copyright laws and related laws and regulations, good morals and other social order when creating content, and shall comply with the terms specified in the MapleStory Worlds Creator Terms of Use (link) and MapleStory Worlds Terms of Service and EULA (link).
8. CGC created in violation of this Guide and laws may be restricted or removed entirely from the Platform.
9. This Guide only applies to creating and publishing CGC on the Platform. Creators are strictly prohibited using the IP of Nexon Korea Corporation, including the Game IP, outside of the Platform and any IP not identified in this Guide.
10. Creators shall provide honest and accurate responses to the Content Description Ratings and Questionnaire required before publishing CGC on the Platform.
We appreciate the time and effort that all Creators dedicate to creating their CGC.
For information on how to report infringement of copyright, defamation, or portrait rights arising from content creation, please refer to the MapleStory Worlds Terms of Service and EULA (link).
Thank you.