Multiple top artists at this point have discontinued their packs "until further notice"
and it seems like some of you are considering leaving the forum. No offense
to those considering such actions, but, it seems like with the outstanding
demand to abolish the soon-to-be instituted rules, that won't be necessary.
I've discontinued my thread currently. Not to make a point or to raise awareness. But the rules go into effect tonight and I don't have the time to sit and read up on copyright laws and licenses and make sure my work is fully covered and then write everything up. It's a hell of a lot of work that I don't think any texture pack maker was expecting.
Meh, I just put in a simple bit saying that you can edit it and use textures as long as you give credit, and if that's not enough then balderdash to this new rule.
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Quote of the Day: "If you think you're gonna snap, or be rude, here's an idea: Don't post." - Theevilpplz
I've discontinued my thread currently. Not to make a point or to raise awareness. But the rules go into effect tonight and I don't have the time to sit and read up on copyright laws and licenses and make sure my work is fully covered and then write everything up. It's a hell of a lot of work that I don't think any texture pack maker was expecting.
Completely understandable. It's just a shame to see a superb pack like yours put to
waste, due to rules outstandingly disliked by the many, that cause such a hassle.
The US copyrighting system has many loopholes. What were the rules
mentioned concerning the Fair Use act passed in 71'? Any lawyers?
That's kind of the problem. It doesn't look like it will be enough.
This is what I've written for my packs:
Copyright license/Disclaimer: The following content (contained within the images, text, links, and downloads posted to this thread) represents my original artistic work, and will hereafter be referred to collectively as the 'pack'. Everything contained within the pack is copyrighted to me under US copyright law. The pack is available for download ONLY, for personal private use, and may not be redistributed-- either in whole or in part-- or otherwise used as a base for derivative works without my express written permission. Posting of the pack to other online locations is acceptable so long as 1) the pack itself is not available for download, 2) full credit is given to me as the owner of the copyright, 3) a link is provided which redirects the viewer to this page.
And if THAT'S not enough, then it really is balderdash.
That is all you have to put in (not that exactly, but something like that) then anyone that uses tour artwork or mod then HAS to display that in theirs.
if you don't give permission to reuse other than to play the game then no one can use them except for that. (not even to make video clips), If anyone finds your content in someone elses that doesn't state your licence then they are in breach. and the thread will be removed if and when we have proof. we can't act without proof , and the best way to get that proof is from the original author. which is why we are telling people that are reporting these things to contact the original author that they thing the artwork is from . There is no way that we can have enough VOLUNTEERS to spend hours going through each texture pack looking at each little image and comparing it to those that already exist, even if we only take into account the content hosted on these forums. if its of content outside these forums then we are totally in the dark really... and again there in no way that we can be expected to know what other content is already out there WITHOUT BEING CONTACTED BY THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR/ARTIST.
The original author will be informed by someone that their content is being misused and breaking their licence.
Anyone else using that content without a copy of that original authors licence will be removed
we have had people report artwork from a pack that has been used from another pack that had the original authors permission to use. but because that 2nd pack didn't have that said licence in their pack that thew original artist has stated , someone else came and used the artwork from the 2nd pack and giving credit to the 2nd pack authors thread legitimately the 3rd packs author think they have done nothing wrong. now someone comes and reports this 3rd authors pack. we as moderators look at it and say that they state that their pack is using the 2nd authors pack as a base and obeying any licences listed on that persons page. We as moderators don't know that the 2nd packs authors artwork (ie: boat or what ever) is still using the 1st pack authors content but someone has complained that the 3rd packs author is in infringement.
So without the 1st packs author or the moderators making sure that the 2nd packs author has stated the licence from the first packs author the 3rd packs author is guilty as well so 2 guilty parties. and we would have no proof unless the original author contacts us telling us which images are theirs.
Anyone can say this pack is a rip off of another pack and if we act on it without any proof we could be convicting/penalising an Innocent party. just because someone decided to pick on them.
Now take the scenario listed above and add more authors in between the original author and the last distributor. and no one in between stating the original authors licence , how the hell are we supposed to know that the eg: boat , was originally from which authors pack. we don't its as simple as that. until the original artist of that boat comes and tells us , showing us their art and licence.. then all those others are actually in breech because they haven't followed the rules and given credit, shown the distribution licence that allowed them to use that art
there are lots of texture packs out there that we as moderators don't know where they have come from (the artwork that is) that's why we need the licences stated on there. many of them are using artwork that could go back at least 5 or six texture packs unknowingly (or deliberate) and without them stating a licence there's no way we can act unless the original author states hey these guys are using MY artwork here's the proof and the licence that states that they aren't allowed to be using my artwork
Why we say we can and will delete those not stating a licence of any form is so that we can inforce these rules.
or otherwise used as a base for derivative works without my express written permission.
then means that anyone you have given permission to has to state your licence in thrir pack next to a list of images that are from your pack.
thats it its that simple..
If they don't then you contact us and we'll remove their pack
if another member sees it and reports it to us we will tell them to tell you so that you can tell us that this guy soesn't have your permission , or if they dso that they aren't showing your licence, then we can deal with the guy appropriatly
So say someone makes a pack and then someone else takes half their textures and uses it in some remix pack without asking for permission and without stating they have permission from the original author AND he uses and adfly link. Now say someone notices this and reports it to a mod. What you're saying is that that mod will just tell the person to contact the original author who might not even be active for weeks to come or might not even have been active for the past week and therefor not even have an official C liscence, and then the original author will say, yes remove that pack? I dont understand why you need permission from the original author. First of all, if the textures used in the remix pack are the same ones as in the original pack and they are used without permission than its your job as a mod to remove that remix pack or at least the d/l. Now IF if the original author does have a C liscence them you dont need his permission as he already stated his mind in the liscence.
I personally think you're overcomplicating the whole thing with this liscence thing but whatever.
wait.... so if we don't add some stupid license to our threads they are threatening to remove them?
all you have to say is something like ,
Licence: all the artwork in this pack is my own work except for the boat which is from john Does texture pack that he gave me permission to use, Attached is their licence and permission for me to use that artwork, no one else can re-use any of my original artwork in any other texturepack without my permission.
this way they cam play , write reviews , make videos etc.. just not re-use in another texture packs
now if they do ask you and you say yes then they include your licence next to what they've used from your pack like you did with joe blows texture pack. if they use the boat which you stated was from joe blows texture pack then they have to get permission and show Jow Blows licence as well like you did in your licence.
I strongly agree with Lilyo on this one. It's far more complicated and redundant than it needs to be. I think you're actually downgrading the entire forum when trying to enforce this rule now that it's the texture pack creators responsibility to weed through thousands of textures to find if someone else used one. It's nonsense.
Another note, will you notify before deleting a thread because I have no idea what the hell I'm doing with this license or "copyright". I'm not about to post some shoddy statement that ends up screwing me over. Way to much work for what it's worth.
Edit:
Scratch that last half. You summed it up pretty nicely in your response to Lilyo
If you don't copright your work instantly someone can steal it, stick a copyright on it, and take it from you forever.
If someone steals your work, it's your responsibility to report them to a moderator [who will never ever read the message because they're too busy smoking pot]
The beauty of being the creator, is that you'll have the files needed to prove so. If you create a texture pack and have working files to prove it, you have nothing to worry about in regards to legalities and protecting yourself.
If a person who is too dumb to know that theyre not allowed to take other peoples art and use it, then they certainly wont abide [or understand] any copyright info we slap on our post. I personally feel that slapping copyrights on our posts is irrelevant and fruitless. However, unless you're creating these textures for a company or agency, the creator 99% of the time WILL have to be the person who protects their property. It's not fair, but unfortunately its the way the cookie crumbles.
Meh, I just put in a simple bit saying that you can edit it and use textures as long as you give credit, and if that's not enough then balderdash to this new rule.
that's ok too.. if all the artwork in your pack is yours
then anyone using any of your packs artwork have to include that text as your licence giving them permission to use your artwork.
I think what some people are saying is that a liscence is not truly needed. If person A makes a pack and person B takes half his texture without permission than you still need to remove person B's pack even if A doesnt have a C liscence. If say person B does have permission and person C doesnt and then takes some textures from person B who were actually from person A then you remove C's pack..
I personally still think the real problem here is that if Billy Jim is on vacation for 3 weeks and his art gets stolen, we have to report the theft to Billy Jim who won't see the message for 3 weeks
Which means the theif has 3 weeks to make the community think he was the original artist with a falsified license and whatnot because mods won't be acting on the non existent report from Billy Jim of his art being stolen
Ok, yet again the issues are not being addressed. I appreciate that we are finally getting feedback and in the spirit of cooperation I am going to clearly list the concerns of the community with the new policy.
1) the REQUIREMENT of a licence statement concerns many of us. Many people have no idea what this sort of thing entails and are worried that they will do something wrong with the licencing and get their posts removed. It seems that a deletion of said threads is a bit extreme. Especially in the case of people like Glimmar who is not around right now to see the new announcement. Will his thread be deleted because he missed the announcement?
2) The second concern seems to stem out of a misunderstand of what the mods on this forum do. I, and many others, had been under the impressions the the moderators actually spend time perusing through the forum in which they have been placed. If that were the case then it would seem that the announcement implies that, whilst perusing said forums, if a mod were to come across a thread with BLATANT theft he will wait until he hears from the creator of the original content before acting. If that were the case then we have a problem. What is the point in them perusing the forums if they are not their to enforce the rules
One the other hand, if the moderators job is to sit there doing nothing until he/she is informed of a violation then there is no real problem with the new rules, just with the way the moderators moderate the forum.
3) This new ruling will NOT cut down on the high amount of reports that you guys get false or otherwise. It is highly apparent that many people do not read and this a licence statement would have no effect. Therefore this entire thing is just creating a lot of work with little reward.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Look, I don't care if your 8 or 20. If you can't take criticism or opinions, then get off the internet." -Stronghold257
We should be able to notify a moderator about theft rather than the pack creator in the event that the creator is KNOWN to be inactive for whatever reason
Ok, while the thread moves to more calm discussion, I must voice my number one fear about this entire thing: Loss of content. What if a person created something a while ago but had to leave for something. Perhaps they're taking a three-week vacation and won't have internet access. So suddenly, their thread is deleted because they missed the discussion, and they missed the announcement, and never updated their thread. Sure they can appeal to get it back, of course.
But what if this person is away from the internet for a longer period of time. Say, one year because they're doing something with restricted internet access during this time? They miss the discussion, they miss the announcement, and then suddenly for one year their content becomes completely unavailable. That doesn't sound very good, now does it?
look anyones threads that are deleted at any time can always appeal and 9 times out of 10 a compromise is reached.
all we are saying is that if an author complains that their texture pack is using their content and they don't have any form of notifying us where they got their artwork from then it will be deleted. now if they have on there stating that all the artwork is theirs, then someone states that no that's not true we can look into it.
if someone used the content from the one without any licence and the original author isn't contactable theres no way we can legally do anything because we don't have proof that in fact that artwork was even theirs to begin with. like whats happening now people are posting texture packs , no mention of whose work is in it. it's an easy cop-out for those who want to rip others off. we are wanting to eliminate that. so we now need some form of licence / declaration that the art work is yours and how your allowing people too use it. it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.
by removing content from this site that doesn't have a licence etc we are protecting the artist from others who will abuse the lack of an implicit instruction on how they can use their content.
just like any other institution we have to have a way to help prevent abuse of our services and to try to protect those who provide content on this site. this isn't to penalize authors but to help protect them and us and other members, explaining to them how they can use your content and that your stating that you have permission to use that content in your pack whether it was made by you or someone else
Making textures isn't fun anymore, thanks to this incident. Thanks. :dry.gif:
Honestly, I don't give a rats behind, if someone takes my texture pack, changes the saturation .5% and claims the pack as there own. It is a video game, we make textures for non-commercial purposes and it should be for fun. Lately I cannot say that is true. Candycraft is not something I have to get stressed out over because thieves lack talent. My texture pack is a pastime, not a job and NOT my life. I needed to get that off my chest.Say what ever you want, but I know there is a least one person out there that agrees. Thanks for reading.
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Curse PremiumI've discontinued my thread currently. Not to make a point or to raise awareness. But the rules go into effect tonight and I don't have the time to sit and read up on copyright laws and licenses and make sure my work is fully covered and then write everything up. It's a hell of a lot of work that I don't think any texture pack maker was expecting.
Quote of the Day: "If you think you're gonna snap, or be rude, here's an idea: Don't post." - Theevilpplz
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Curse PremiumThat's kind of the problem. It doesn't look like it will be enough.
Completely understandable. It's just a shame to see a superb pack like yours put to
waste, due to rules outstandingly disliked by the many, that cause such a hassle.
The US copyrighting system has many loopholes. What were the rules
mentioned concerning the Fair Use act passed in 71'? Any lawyers?
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Retired StaffThis is what I've written for my packs:
The following content (contained within the images, text, links, and downloads posted to this thread) represents my original artistic work, and will hereafter be referred to collectively as the 'pack'. Everything contained within the pack is copyrighted to me under US copyright law. The pack is available for download ONLY, for personal private use, and may not be redistributed-- either in whole or in part-- or otherwise used as a base for derivative works without my express written permission. Posting of the pack to other online locations is acceptable so long as 1) the pack itself is not available for download, 2) full credit is given to me as the owner of the copyright, 3) a link is provided which redirects the viewer to this page.
And if THAT'S not enough, then it really is balderdash.
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Retired Staffif you don't give permission to reuse other than to play the game then no one can use them except for that. (not even to make video clips), If anyone finds your content in someone elses that doesn't state your licence then they are in breach. and the thread will be removed if and when we have proof. we can't act without proof , and the best way to get that proof is from the original author. which is why we are telling people that are reporting these things to contact the original author that they thing the artwork is from . There is no way that we can have enough VOLUNTEERS to spend hours going through each texture pack looking at each little image and comparing it to those that already exist, even if we only take into account the content hosted on these forums. if its of content outside these forums then we are totally in the dark really... and again there in no way that we can be expected to know what other content is already out there WITHOUT BEING CONTACTED BY THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR/ARTIST.
The original author will be informed by someone that their content is being misused and breaking their licence.
Anyone else using that content without a copy of that original authors licence will be removed
we have had people report artwork from a pack that has been used from another pack that had the original authors permission to use. but because that 2nd pack didn't have that said licence in their pack that thew original artist has stated , someone else came and used the artwork from the 2nd pack and giving credit to the 2nd pack authors thread legitimately the 3rd packs author think they have done nothing wrong. now someone comes and reports this 3rd authors pack. we as moderators look at it and say that they state that their pack is using the 2nd authors pack as a base and obeying any licences listed on that persons page. We as moderators don't know that the 2nd packs authors artwork (ie: boat or what ever) is still using the 1st pack authors content but someone has complained that the 3rd packs author is in infringement.
So without the 1st packs author or the moderators making sure that the 2nd packs author has stated the licence from the first packs author the 3rd packs author is guilty as well so 2 guilty parties. and we would have no proof unless the original author contacts us telling us which images are theirs.
Anyone can say this pack is a rip off of another pack and if we act on it without any proof we could be convicting/penalising an Innocent party. just because someone decided to pick on them.
Now take the scenario listed above and add more authors in between the original author and the last distributor. and no one in between stating the original authors licence , how the hell are we supposed to know that the eg: boat , was originally from which authors pack. we don't its as simple as that. until the original artist of that boat comes and tells us , showing us their art and licence.. then all those others are actually in breech because they haven't followed the rules and given credit, shown the distribution licence that allowed them to use that art
there are lots of texture packs out there that we as moderators don't know where they have come from (the artwork that is) that's why we need the licences stated on there. many of them are using artwork that could go back at least 5 or six texture packs unknowingly (or deliberate) and without them stating a licence there's no way we can act unless the original author states hey these guys are using MY artwork here's the proof and the licence that states that they aren't allowed to be using my artwork
Why we say we can and will delete those not stating a licence of any form is so that we can inforce these rules.
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Retired Staffthen means that anyone you have given permission to has to state your licence in thrir pack next to a list of images that are from your pack.
thats it its that simple..
If they don't then you contact us and we'll remove their pack
if another member sees it and reports it to us we will tell them to tell you so that you can tell us that this guy soesn't have your permission , or if they dso that they aren't showing your licence, then we can deal with the guy appropriatly
I personally think you're overcomplicating the whole thing with this liscence thing but whatever.
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Retired Staffall you have to say is something like ,
Licence: all the artwork in this pack is my own work except for the boat which is from john Does texture pack that he gave me permission to use, Attached is their licence and permission for me to use that artwork, no one else can re-use any of my original artwork in any other texturepack without my permission.
this way they cam play , write reviews , make videos etc.. just not re-use in another texture packs
now if they do ask you and you say yes then they include your licence next to what they've used from your pack like you did with joe blows texture pack. if they use the boat which you stated was from joe blows texture pack then they have to get permission and show Jow Blows licence as well like you did in your licence.
its not that hard
Another note, will you notify before deleting a thread because I have no idea what the hell I'm doing with this license or "copyright". I'm not about to post some shoddy statement that ends up screwing me over. Way to much work for what it's worth.
Edit:
Scratch that last half. You summed it up pretty nicely in your response to Lilyo
The beauty of being the creator, is that you'll have the files needed to prove so. If you create a texture pack and have working files to prove it, you have nothing to worry about in regards to legalities and protecting yourself.
If a person who is too dumb to know that theyre not allowed to take other peoples art and use it, then they certainly wont abide [or understand] any copyright info we slap on our post. I personally feel that slapping copyrights on our posts is irrelevant and fruitless. However, unless you're creating these textures for a company or agency, the creator 99% of the time WILL have to be the person who protects their property. It's not fair, but unfortunately its the way the cookie crumbles.
All I can tell is that you're pretty much saying "screw you" to the hypothetical people in my scenario.
"sometimes, wizards are so awesome, it hurts"
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Retired Staffthat's ok too.. if all the artwork in your pack is yours
then anyone using any of your packs artwork have to include that text as your licence giving them permission to use your artwork.
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Curse PremiumWhich means the theif has 3 weeks to make the community think he was the original artist with a falsified license and whatnot because mods won't be acting on the non existent report from Billy Jim of his art being stolen
1) the REQUIREMENT of a licence statement concerns many of us. Many people have no idea what this sort of thing entails and are worried that they will do something wrong with the licencing and get their posts removed. It seems that a deletion of said threads is a bit extreme. Especially in the case of people like Glimmar who is not around right now to see the new announcement. Will his thread be deleted because he missed the announcement?
2) The second concern seems to stem out of a misunderstand of what the mods on this forum do. I, and many others, had been under the impressions the the moderators actually spend time perusing through the forum in which they have been placed. If that were the case then it would seem that the announcement implies that, whilst perusing said forums, if a mod were to come across a thread with BLATANT theft he will wait until he hears from the creator of the original content before acting. If that were the case then we have a problem. What is the point in them perusing the forums if they are not their to enforce the rules
One the other hand, if the moderators job is to sit there doing nothing until he/she is informed of a violation then there is no real problem with the new rules, just with the way the moderators moderate the forum.
3) This new ruling will NOT cut down on the high amount of reports that you guys get false or otherwise. It is highly apparent that many people do not read and this a licence statement would have no effect. Therefore this entire thing is just creating a lot of work with little reward.
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Curse PremiumWe should be able to notify a moderator about theft rather than the pack creator in the event that the creator is KNOWN to be inactive for whatever reason
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Retired Stafflook anyones threads that are deleted at any time can always appeal and 9 times out of 10 a compromise is reached.
all we are saying is that if an author complains that their texture pack is using their content and they don't have any form of notifying us where they got their artwork from then it will be deleted. now if they have on there stating that all the artwork is theirs, then someone states that no that's not true we can look into it.
if someone used the content from the one without any licence and the original author isn't contactable theres no way we can legally do anything because we don't have proof that in fact that artwork was even theirs to begin with. like whats happening now people are posting texture packs , no mention of whose work is in it. it's an easy cop-out for those who want to rip others off. we are wanting to eliminate that. so we now need some form of licence / declaration that the art work is yours and how your allowing people too use it. it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.
by removing content from this site that doesn't have a licence etc we are protecting the artist from others who will abuse the lack of an implicit instruction on how they can use their content.
just like any other institution we have to have a way to help prevent abuse of our services and to try to protect those who provide content on this site. this isn't to penalize authors but to help protect them and us and other members, explaining to them how they can use your content and that your stating that you have permission to use that content in your pack whether it was made by you or someone else
Honestly, I don't give a rats behind, if someone takes my texture pack, changes the saturation .5% and claims the pack as there own. It is a video game, we make textures for non-commercial purposes and it should be for fun. Lately I cannot say that is true. Candycraft is not something I have to get stressed out over because thieves lack talent. My texture pack is a pastime, not a job and NOT my life. I needed to get that off my chest.Say what ever you want, but I know there is a least one person out there that agrees. Thanks for reading.
~TheMarsh