I logged into Second Life this morning finding myself in something of a predicament. I'm honestly not sure whether to be flattered, indifferent, insulted, or infuriated. Let me explain.
As some of you may know, I created a roleplay castle complete with furnishings a while back. All told, it probably took around six months of hard work. I do mean hard work. It might not look like much to some, but let me tell you many hours of prim twisting, sculpt making, scripting, and texturing went into the making of said castle. I'm not even sure how many pieces of furniture are included, but there's some 6 packs ranging from 6 pieces to over 30. Granted, a labor of love, as I really do enjoy building things for people that appreciate them.
So I get an offline from a friend telling me about a similiar castle in a well known roleplay region. At first I don't think much about it. I often get reports, usually someone will add a prim and show as owner, or someone builds with the same general layout. So I sip my coffee and accept the landmark. I go exploring, never hurts to take a look. I teleport to the place in question and begin to rez. Indeed this castle has my same design, with some major texture changes and some minor build editing. Layout is exact, probably 80% of prims are exact. I right click and 'inspect'. Ok, so either this guy is really adept at copying modifiable prims and placing them (which would take a long long time) or use of some sort of copy viewer/tool was implemented. None of the castle prims show myself as the creator. I notice the creator/owner is there but either logs out tp's elsewhere when I venture near.
Now let me say, I've been copied before. It's never pleasant and I'm always hesitant to contact the offender for a few reasons. First, they likely have an alt they can pass backups to, which defeats the purpose of being caught. Second, in a retaliatory move, they may just start passing full perm copies all over the grid. It's frustrating to say the least. As a creator you can file a DMCA, and they do work. But they take time, and again if they take an xml backup or already have one, pretty useless. Obviously if they're using a copybot viewer they're familiar with how to import/export. A DMCA does not get an offender's ISP banned as far as I know. They can re-upload with another avatar and you have to start the whole process all over again.
To further complicate things, the owner/creator actually bought the set some months ago according to my records. It doesn't appear they are selling it. No store listed in profile or partner's profile. They're purpotedly an account in good standing. Groups show about 7 roleplay groups for their regions, a couple builder groups (lol, right?), and some medieval/fantasy event groups. '07 account and owner of a few private islands for roleplay. Profile says they enjoy building... Moving on.
So here's my predicament. Do I file a DMCA (which I may very well lose)? Anyone can use prims to make that layout. The textures are different. There's some slight build differences. The tower bases are not the same. They removed one part and added onto another. It's not MY build...but it is (if that makes any sense). I know my prims like a mother knows her child. I'm willing to bet most builder's do. But yet, I could still lose in a DMCA case. Right now I'm leaning towards, 'It's not worth it Johnny'.
The real frustration here isn't being copied. It isn't whether or not to file a DMCA. It isn't really about getting credit for a build either. The real disturbing part about all this is it makes me indifferent about building. If anyone really knows me at all, they'll realize that's a big deal. It's all I do in virtual worlds like Second Life or Inworldz. I don't socialize much, unless its with other builders or I'm forced to a party. Seriously, my friends threw me a birthday party in SL last year and I was fooling around in Blender the whole time. I really really just like to build and I know everyone says that. I've always had Builder's Block from time to time, and this is quite a bit worse. I'm not prone to the temper tantrum 'I quit' statements, don't get me wrong. I'm just finding it hard to care really one way or another. Maybe its just the natural evolution of a builder, or maybe I'm just having a down month...I dunno.
ACK! no, not everyone says "I really really just like to build." I've never said that. I have friends who build and bitch about it the whole time. If building is what you LOVE- and ffs you're GOOD at it Johnny!- then please carry on! It's a rare sim in IW that doesn't have one of your builds on it. We're ALL the better for your work and your presence inworld. Don't let some asswipe take away the one thing you love about being inworld! It would be our loss, but even worse it would be yours.
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Oh what a Dilema! I understand where your coming from about the whole DMCA thing, but really Johnny... Your too good at what you do to just give up! Besides You love building, that is evident in your creations & we in Inworldz are so much better for having your builds in there on our regions, coz whisky is correct, wherever we go in IW we can see a build by Johnny!
ReplyDeleteI know its probably got you down, but dont let it get You out of Building altogether, coz that would be a True loss
Rosa ;)
{{{Big Hugs}}}
Dudeface of the awesome...first of all you are not allowed to stop what you are good at and I hope one day if this happens to me that you will be here to tell me the same thing. In so many ways you have helped me find some sort of direction within the IWZ, and because of you I have a kick ass friend whether you are social or not. I KNOW building is what you love so-very-much and I think we both share that as a common bond. (yeah sappy dorkface southie) Anyways, you cannot give up building over this. It may take a little while to get back at it, then again it may only take a day. Your builds are beautiful, and besides who the hell would help me with my freekin roof if you aren't here.
ReplyDeleteInworldz needs you in the community. Period. You are a true friend to us.
As much as I want to scream at you for wanting to quit, I can't Johnny. That's just me being selfish and wanting to keep your presence as a creator around InWorldz "cuz you rawk the house yo". I perfectly understand not wanting to build anymore when your passion has been put out. I've been there. Take a virtual hug and take the time you need to get your passion back. I'm hoping it's just a down month which we all have. All of us will be here waiting for you with open arms.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I read this was file on that arse and nail em'! Then I started thinking about what I would do....it's pretty obvious some of that is your build but because the person changed certain features, did some re-texture work, and is NOT selling it...I would hold off and watch...see where this goes with the person.
ReplyDeleteI would maybe even contact them. The main reason I would do that is to see WHY they took your build out of SL using a viewer that is most likely illegal then bringing it back IN to SL and altering it. One of those "hey...I saw the castle I created and all the tweaks you did and think it looks pretty cool but I'm curious to know why you removed it to your hard drive using an illegal viewer then brought it back in. You know my stuff is modify right?" It's not accusatory but gets your point across. How they respond (via both notecard and IM..) will tell you what their intentions are.
With that said, be a shame for you to stop building entirely but you know what? This is your life and you need to do what is right for you. Any grid you built on has been blessed with a ton of your talent. And you never know...after a break....you might get back into building. Maybe Coffins. Did I ever mention I needed coffins?
Hang in there Johnny!
Misty
Everyone that knows you knows that you are unique,creative,talented,smart and an all around good person. I hope that you realize this and don't give up.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my thoughts on the DMCA thing I would probably not file or even contact the person. But that is just how I tend to handle things like that. I have a theory that their karma will catch up to them. YOU know who you are and WE know who you are. I hope you take great pride in that and continue to bless us with your talents.
You have to ask yourself why you create. I think you will find that the reason you do it is still there. And the people who you affect with your creations are all around you still. And you make our life more beautiful (with your builds and your friendship)
Super big hugs to you today Johnny!
I think the best way to look at this Johnny, while it's a tad ruffling to have your name stripped from the build, is to look at it objectively. You already know how the jealous routine works, you also know how people have this concept they need to have their name known for something, no matter how ugly the manner they got it. There will always be people who feel this desire to do it. So your option is do you take the high road here, and know that you're that good? Or do you do something else to let them know you know? If they aren't selling it, I guess I would lean towards being a tag arrogant myself and taking the high road.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Ayla in the fact that karma is a right pain when it hits. I tend to keep my karma in the good and it's repaid me when I least expect it. You are an excellent builder, sculpter, friend, and artist. Don't let this get you down or blocked. Because at the end of the day, we all answer to one person and one person alone. So does that person who decided to do this to you.
Drama just begets more drama (proof positive this last week might I add!) and I think you're too talented a builder to let yourself get sucked into it.
And where is Chapter 6 Darn it?!?
Thanks for all the comments and support everyone. I swear I wasn't trying to be all depressing. Tone doesn't come over well in my writing. I tend to grunt a lot :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about it and at this point my best option is to do nothing. I don't see anything positive coming from confronting or filing on this customer. I'd probably feel different if they were selling. (and may regret it later if they serve ME a dmca, lol).
I guess I was a bit taken at how difficult it can be to 'police' your own content, if not impossible. I'm sure it won't be the last time and it never gets easy. The kicker is, if they had asked me politely I may have given them permission to back it up, I actually support it when used appropriately.
and I'll work on chapter 6 tonight...soon as I figure out how to organize this friggin blog...
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