What's the protocol on borrowing filter parts?

I've found a number of times where part of someone else's filter is quite useful for one of my own, fr om large defining features to relatively small snippets, and I'm wondering what the accepted method is for giving credit where credit is due when submitting a filter that copies some or all of another author's filter.

So far I have included mention of the original filter author in the description section of any filter I submit wh ere I knowingly used even a small part of their filter, but I don't know if this is even expected. I imagine that since every filter is created with redundant parts, you can't avoid using something that someone else used first, but I'm still leery about stepping on toes. Is this actually laid out in the terms of use and I haven't found it yet, or is there at least a widely accepted approach?

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CorvusCroax wrote: By contrast; People who take whole filters, make trivial alterations and act as if it's their work are usually mocked.

and FF, inc. will likely remove it fr om the library and may take other actions against someone for doing so. we've had this happen at least once with a guy who was doing this wholesale on many filters.

but, like corvus said, it's entirely ok to modify other filters and even submit them providing you've made the a 'significant' change. the key word, of course, is significant. so, if in doubt, ask the author or FF, inc via the contact form or both. usually, just good common sense will serve you well and that little phrase 'do under others what you would have them do unto you' also works. would you mind someone doing this to your filter?

along with this is combo filters. combo filters are filters wh ere you've joined one filter to another. if one of those combined filters is by another author then you need to make sure the change, again, is significant.

in the final analysis, the decision is up to FF, inc. and the Eula. authors may complain that you've ripped them off, but if it's in the public library (not in the forums or other sites or from other sources) then it's open to modification. the purpose is to allow for new ideas and filters based on earlier works and your own ideas. this is a natural process. what isnt natural or desired is claiming you did something when it's really mostly or wholly someone else's.

and like corvus said, it's always polite to give credit when you do borrow someone else's work or ideas.