Why do I keep hearring the terms "cashing in" ?  Mod making, is essentially a not-for-profit activity.

This doesn't mean that the actual copyright owner can't sue for copyright infringment or - *worse* - damages - you have used and abused intellectual property without permission.

If you can start a new idea, and can get the team members and production moving, congratualations, you must be an excellent salesperson.

In a way, using an already existing idea is like owning a McDonalds franchise - people are familiar with what you are producing and are more likely to be interested - it's a proven fact.

Essentially that's what you're doing when you use someone else's idea to get players for yours.  You may not make money, but you're still "cashing in" on their idea.

Understood - a more proper term in a business sense would be 'piggy-backing', because cashing in implies money.

<-- not up to speed on business terms
Then it's agreed "piggy-backing" it is.

<-- should learn to shut up sometimes