OK, so, a couple of things. Actually more than a couple. First of all, the .package format is developed and owned by EA. No other game developer uses this format. Yes, EA uses the .package format for their non-Sims games; nevertheless, the format is proprietary — meaning, they own it.
Secondly, there is one incontrovertible fact that supersedes whether creators make the meshes from scratch (which, let’s face it, a lot of creators DO NOT) or import content from other media like Second Life, IMVU, and 3D model databases like @cgtrader and @turbosquidinc —including this creator, who, from what I heard and read, actually had to remove a lot of his content because he violated those creators’ DCMA terms (which is actually what many creators do). In order for those meshes to be used in the game, they have to be attached to the resource(s) that make 3D meshes useable in the game. Once that happens, the content effectively becomes bound by EA rules. Period.
Let me make myself perfectly clear. I AM IN NO WAY ANGLING TO GET “FREE” CONTENT, as some folks would assume about people who think the way I do. In fact, I subscribe to and donate to MANY Patreons (not the ranter’s because I’ve been catfished by their content before). So I really don’t have a dog in this fight because I will readily pay for immaculate content. And I also have no issue with creators giving exclusive gifts as an extra “Thank you” for subbing. It’s no different from getting the football phone from Sports Illustrated as a “Thank you” for being a loyal subscriber.
But I do have an issue with some creators who do not follow the rules and hoard content for months or years on end. I could name a few, but I won’t be petty. However…
We aren’t eeeeeeeeeeeven gonna get into creators who appropriate copyrighted brands, labels, icons, insignias and likenesses and charge money for CC containing them — like, for example, this creator does with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and @gucci. Copyright infringement violations all over the place.
And I KNOW they didn’t obtain permission to use them, either, but have the nerve to have a TOU for appropriated content.
Hell, the only creator (of whom I’m aware) who made Gucci CC legitimately was @grimcookies, as he actually partnered with them.
Incidentally, he also follows the rules for public releases. To him I say…
All that to say, it’s really not that hard to follow the rules. New Simmers emerge every day, and they come across new and exciting custom content just as often. I know I’m always on the hunt for beautiful content (particularly alpha content; not really a MM fan, though I do have some beautiful MM CC from really wonderful creators). Patrons will come, and creators will undoubtedly be paid for their hobby (because that’s what it is — a hobby; you don’t actually work for/collect a salary from EA). Just as creators want folks to abide their terms and not share the content off of which they expected to earn a buck or two or twenty-five, some Simmers and CC enthusiasts would like to have an opportunity to enjoy their work just as much as those who paid for it, and the rule is designed for that purpose. Hell, even Turbodriver and Basemental have public and Patreon versions of their mods for all Simmers to enjoy.
If all else fails, just keep the shit to yourself if you want to act so precious about it.