Have you had a model stolen?
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good point hellnbak - absolutely nothing in there about selling or redistributing.
actually - 11.4 specifically says NO redistribution without Google's permission
edit: hmm... by "aggregate" (in 11.4i) I guess they mean not run a service similar to theirs (which might be how having models on TurboSquid might be pretty clearly illegal.) Also, I looked for "redistribute", but they do say "distribute", which I guess is the same. so my question is - does distribute allow selling for money or not?
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I think the following is the key. Then when you upload a file, identify it as contents copyrighted.
(a) You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services.
Copyrighting electronic media is a fairly straightforward process that can be accomplished in one sitting after the media have been completed. Technically speaking, once the media are finalized, a copyright is created, however, the copyright can only be enforced in a court of law if it has been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Computer with Internet connection
Valid email address
Valid credit card
Electronic media in a common format
Copyrighting Electronic Media Online1
Navigate to the electronic Copyright Office (eCO) section of the Copyright Office's website.2
Sign in with your account, or create a new account. This step requires a valid email address.
3
Complete Fill-in Form CO.
4
Submit the copyright registration fee. This step requires a valid credit card.
5
Upload the electronic media in a common format, such as dot-pdf for documents, dot-avi for videos, or dot-zip for a collection of various files.Read more: How do I Copyright Electronic Media? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6865493_do-copyright-electronic-media_.html#ixzz1jCBz0sPU
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Good post Jim. The referenced site makes no mention of how much the fee is. Any idea? If it were only a few bucks I might consider it, but, unfortunately, I suspect that even if the fee were nominal, very few modelers would go to the trouble. And I mean very few. Like almost none
But, few modelers have invested the time and trouble of creating something like your '32, so in your case it would be worth it, IMHO. Are you considering it, just out of curiosity.
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Fee for an electronic filing is $35. The problem is with the legal fees you would encounter if taking legal action against someone.
Sooo...Steve, how many copies of my 32 have you sold. I think it's worth $1500 a pop. My lawyer will be in touch with your lawyer.
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@jmjohio said:
Sooo...Steve, how many copies of my 32 have you sold. I think it's worth $1500 a pop. My lawyer will be in touch with your lawyer.
You can't prove anything
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An interesting dilemma concerning creating a SU model of the Bridge below, came from my SU model image posting celebrating the ten year anniversary event on the TFG forum at http://forums.tfguild.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=27429#Post27429
The next posted reply was not expected.
"Hi Irv,I wonder if what you have posted above is a breach of copyright ?
We all of us here know the original designer of this bridge.
I am sure that no offence is intended (either way) and hence I simply raise this as a topic for thought, comment and discussion.
Regards"
I have carved this wood model for myself and is not for sale(design by Reid Costley and Ed Levin) .
The question is how far do you need to go, when modelling public structures that already exist?
Cheers
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I don't think I'd lose any sleep over it, Irv. If that was the case, half the 3D Warehouse and the entire modern section of Great Buildings would be in the same boat.
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I guess the rule of thumb here is
Don't post anything you would not give away for free.
There are a few ways to prove a model is yours in case it ever gets to the stage where somebody is selling your model and/or claiming ownership.
Put an ownership text block in a corner, defining how it can be used.
See my models in the warehouse, lower right corner. Not foolproof, especially if the slimer knows SU.Hide your name inside the model, as a group, not a comp that can easily be found. There are many ways to make that invisible, but only you will know exactly where to find it.
But if there are people out there willing to buy a copy of your model for a few hundred $$$, you be the first to sell it. I could not believe some of the prices I saw on TurboSquid.
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Just found this on the warehouse, posted by GoldenSim --
Went to the site and sure enuf, there was my Caddy. Admittedly, he did some work on it, had to 'cause I hadn't finished it, but it's definitely my Caddy. Funny thing is, he actually gives me credit down at the bottom. Strange.
Here's GoldenSim's post in the Warehouse --
And here's the site in question --
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TIG just posted an "Invisible Font" which would be ideal to hide copyright notices inside your models.
Only you would know where they are.
See the topic......
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=42569&p=379946#p379946
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Thats great for Sketchup models, but probably won't help if the model is exported to OBJ or other file format, which is what often happens on Cornucopia3D or Turbosquid.
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As Joel said, don't post anything you wouldn't give away for free. It's pretty simple. And basically assume that anything you post on 3DWH or any other public site is going to be taken and sold--changed or unchanged by someone else.
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@jgb said:
TIG just posted an "Invisible Font" which would be ideal to hide copyright notices inside your models.
I've been using onscreen texts. Nobody can claim not having noticed my license info, but it can easily be removed (thus invisible font is a good idea). I guess if someone exports the model to an arbitrary format, even the invisible font is lost?
I thought, maybe one could "hide" messages by tweaking vertex coordinates (like the model scrambler)...
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Another of my models being sold on Cornucopia3D. And again he actually gives me credit. Just don't understand why he would be selling my model (an improved version, with engine and such) and acknowledge that it is my model. Maybe he thinks that makes it OK.
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I'm guessing he think the model was available for distribution and modification without any restrictions.
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So Steve, I'm curious. Will you continue to share your models so someone else can sell them?
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I hope he does as it's paying for my trip to Barbados.
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@unknownuser said:
I hope he does as it's paying for my trip to Barbados.
I almost blew coffee on my keyboard!
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Seems to me that their broker 'Gil Stephane' is being disingenuous.
Taking someone else's 'freely' available work and supplying it to others also freely in OK.
But to charge for it is at the very least immoral.
It comes down to the extent of the copyrighted reuse.
If he had modeled the whole car himself but used your headlights, giving you a credit for your partial contribution, then I think his charging for it might have been fair - as he did most of the work.
BUT when he takes your whole car and adds a few extras onto to it, then his work is less than yours.
That's OK if he agreed with you to share the proceeds in proportion but not to rip you off.You should make representations to Cornucopia3d and/or Gil for reparation !
Alternatively... why not join Cornucopia3d.com and buy your model [~$15].
[Bear with me there is logic in this...]
Immediately become one of their 'brokers' and post the model back [unchanged], but charge about half the price Gil does [~$8].
Stress in your associated notes that it's the exact same model as his - BUT by the original author - 'at half the cost', and of course graciously credit him with the few extras he's added.
You only need to sell two to be in profit thereafter.
People would be stupid to buy the more expensive 'counterfeit' version...
He can't really object since you already 'own' the bulk of the car, and your re-marketing it including a few bits that he made is as nothing to the overall thing...
Because you made the bulk of the car, I think your [re]selling it including his few extras is readily justifiable, as opposed to his position.
Even if you didn't sell many you'd at least feel you 'gave him the finger'... -
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