Did you post a free use/ open source style licence for your texture packs? Becuase a thread that was locked for using your textures without your permission was just unlocked with a wink.
Plus, a mod private messaging a member saying "no matter how much you flame, the rules aren't going to change", is completely unprofessional.
To be honest, if it were worded "flaming wont change the rules" I would agree. I would really hope that's what the mod meant. Otherwise, he/she isn't what I would want to see moderating a community that I dig.
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"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to...."
By US laws any work you create falls under "All Rights Reserved" which is a form of license. By hosting the work and providing it to others to use you are exercising your right to allow others to use it. The Creative Commons licenses provided are easy to understand and provide a quick way to explain which rights you wish to control. Of course you can come up with your own license or use another source.
Here is the legal issue with moderators acting upon a tip from a third party in a matter. Original content owner has given permission to content redistributor to use their original content. Third party comes along and tells a moderator that content redistributor is infringing on original content owner's rights. Moderator deletes content redistributor's thread. That moderator has now infringed on the rights of the content redistributor and the original content owner making the moderator liable for damages.
I see what you are saying about third party infringement-- but that's why it has always been an unspoken rule that redistributors who have permission show proof of that permission right in the thread.
EDIT: If need be, the rules can be amended to require showing the aforementioned permission.
Considering none of the content is hosted on their servers, I don't see how they have the right to determine ownership of anyones work. My texture pack is hosted on my own server, and imgur is hosting all of the screenshots. These forums are a means of communication and distribution, nothing more. They can choose to disallow me to distribute, but they can't claim that my work is free to distribute because I have not posted any licenses.
Here is the legal issue with moderators acting upon a tip from a third party in a matter. Original content owner has given permission to content redistributor to use their original content. Third party comes along and tells a moderator that content redistributor is infringing on original content owner's rights. Moderator deletes content redistributor's thread. That moderator has now infringed on the rights of the content redistributor and the original content owner making the moderator liable for damages.
Which is why I suggested merely locking the thread until proof can be provided. It's not deleting the content, but it's a more sensible way of policing it than forcing the creators to step in.
As for a compromise, I don't have so much of an issue with being made to provide a license. The real issue I have is with forcing the creators to report stolen textures. If the redistributor fails to provide upon request (which, in this case, would be upon starting a topic) proof of permission, then is that not the same principle as failing to provide a valid ID, Passport or driving license?
Considering none of the content is hosted on their servers, I don't see how they have the right to determine ownership of anyones work. My texture pack is hosted on my own server, and imgur is hosting all of the screenshots. These forums are a means of communication and distribution, nothing more. They can choose to disallow me to distribute, but they can't claim that my work is free to distribute because I have not posted any licenses.
Exactly. Was thinking the same thing. Was having trouble putting it into words, though.
Which is why I suggested merely locking the thread until proof can be provided. It's not deleting the content, but it's a more sensible way of policing it than forcing the creators to step in.
As for a compromise, I don't have so much of an issue with being made to provide a license. The real issue I have is with forcing the creators to report stolen textures. If the redistributor fails to provide upon request (which, in this case, would be upon starting a topic) proof of permission, then is that not the same principle as failing to provide a valid ID, Passport or driving license?
This ^
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"Look, I don't care if your 8 or 20. If you can't take criticism or opinions, then get off the internet." -Stronghold257
Stop driving away people like Korimito. He was expressing his disagreement without flaming. If there are no dissenting opinions, then what you have is a bunch of people sitting around agreeing with each other. And that's not a discussion, it's group masturbation.
This new policy didn't come into being when the person who posted it woke up one morning and decided to make a new rule. There was discussion among forum staff, and the arguments in favor of the new policy won out.
I would like to hear these arguments, and hear them defended. This policy came out of somewhere. I want to know where.
I would especially like people to stop dissing the people who run this place, because civil discussion = good & flaming insults = bad.
So stop insulting the people you're trying to make agree with you. That's never effective.
I see what you are saying about third party infringement-- but that's why it has always been an unspoken rule that redistributors who have permission show proof of that permission right in the thread.
We had a fellow explaining in bold lettering in his mod's OP that he has written permission from every member of the Aether collab to make his mod. He showed us all the proof and explained it in his OP and the reports would CONSTANTLY pour in telling us to take it down. That kind of harassment is part of the reason why we're only accepting plagiarism notices from original authors.
I doubt anything major is going to happen, But if mod makers don't copyright there work. It's they're problem. If game designers should be smart enough to put a copyright on they're game. So should everyone else. Although this is just my opinion.
We had a fellow explaining in bold lettering in his mod's OP that he has written permission from every member of the Aether collab to make his mod. He showed us all the proof and explained it in his OP and the reports would CONSTANTLY pour in telling us to take it down. That kind of harassment is part of the reason why we're only accepting plagiarism notices from original authors.
While I realise that this is an issue, is it really worth putting the entire mod and texture pack community at risk?
We had a fellow explaining in bold lettering in his mod's OP that he has written permission from every member of the Aether collab to make his mod. He showed us all the proof and explained it in his OP and the reports would CONSTANTLY pour in telling us to take it down. That kind of harassment is part of the reason why we're only accepting plagiarism notices from original authors.
Which is fine up to a point I suppose. I guess the concern is that the renouncement seemed to indicate that if a Mod were to run across a blatant theft he/she wouldn't do anything about it unless the original creator reported it.
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"Look, I don't care if your 8 or 20. If you can't take criticism or opinions, then get off the internet." -Stronghold257
While I realise that this is an issue, is it really worth putting the entire mod and texture pack community at risk?
I have to agree here.
Is it not better to create stronger rules, or step in to prevent harassment, than to create a vague rule with obvious loopholes for the sake of preventing said harassment? Isn't that a bit like cutting off the nose to spite the face?
There are trolls, flaming comments, and a constant harassment of new modders as well as modders who provide mods with the -least- bit of suspicion to them.
Would it not be wiser to address the actual underlying issue?
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Showing My Support! Great Work Deserves Great Appreciation!
While I realise that this is an issue, is it really worth putting the entire mod and texture pack community at risk?
Especially seeing as that particular mod did not copy the Aether mod's code in any way. The problem was with the community flaming. As moderators, your job is (this might sound a little arrogant, but I assure you it's not intended that way) to prevent and punish flaming and behaviour that goes against forum rules. Making a new rule that makes your job easier while making everyone on the forum's harder is not the solution.
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They are probably reading though the posts. there are a lot now.
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Curse PremiumGotta be kidding me
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Retired StaffTo be honest, if it were worded "flaming wont change the rules" I would agree. I would really hope that's what the mod meant. Otherwise, he/she isn't what I would want to see moderating a community that I dig.
"This may hurt a little, but it's something you'll get used to...."
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Retired StaffI see what you are saying about third party infringement-- but that's why it has always been an unspoken rule that redistributors who have permission show proof of that permission right in the thread.
EDIT: If need be, the rules can be amended to require showing the aforementioned permission.
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Curse PremiumBecause he didn't legally own it
As soon as the aether was posted is was copyrighted according to U.S. law.
Which is why I suggested merely locking the thread until proof can be provided. It's not deleting the content, but it's a more sensible way of policing it than forcing the creators to step in.
As for a compromise, I don't have so much of an issue with being made to provide a license. The real issue I have is with forcing the creators to report stolen textures. If the redistributor fails to provide upon request (which, in this case, would be upon starting a topic) proof of permission, then is that not the same principle as failing to provide a valid ID, Passport or driving license?
Exactly. Was thinking the same thing. Was having trouble putting it into words, though.
This ^
This new policy didn't come into being when the person who posted it woke up one morning and decided to make a new rule. There was discussion among forum staff, and the arguments in favor of the new policy won out.
I would like to hear these arguments, and hear them defended. This policy came out of somewhere. I want to know where.
I would especially like people to stop dissing the people who run this place, because civil discussion = good & flaming insults = bad.
So stop insulting the people you're trying to make agree with you. That's never effective.
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Curse PremiumWe had a fellow explaining in bold lettering in his mod's OP that he has written permission from every member of the Aether collab to make his mod. He showed us all the proof and explained it in his OP and the reports would CONSTANTLY pour in telling us to take it down. That kind of harassment is part of the reason why we're only accepting plagiarism notices from original authors.
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Retired Staff....I've created a monster...
While I realise that this is an issue, is it really worth putting the entire mod and texture pack community at risk?
No you haven't. You have sparked a movement and opened the eyes of many. There, that's a better viewpoint :smile.gif:
Which is fine up to a point I suppose. I guess the concern is that the renouncement seemed to indicate that if a Mod were to run across a blatant theft he/she wouldn't do anything about it unless the original creator reported it.
I have to agree here.
Is it not better to create stronger rules, or step in to prevent harassment, than to create a vague rule with obvious loopholes for the sake of preventing said harassment? Isn't that a bit like cutting off the nose to spite the face?
There are trolls, flaming comments, and a constant harassment of new modders as well as modders who provide mods with the -least- bit of suspicion to them.
Would it not be wiser to address the actual underlying issue?
Especially seeing as that particular mod did not copy the Aether mod's code in any way. The problem was with the community flaming. As moderators, your job is (this might sound a little arrogant, but I assure you it's not intended that way) to prevent and punish flaming and behaviour that goes against forum rules. Making a new rule that makes your job easier while making everyone on the forum's harder is not the solution.