ES Forum Archive > Oblivion Mods > IMVU User Plagiarising Modwork. Part 2
Please be advise that this topic is the continuation of the discussion in this topic. If you have problem understanding what's going on, I strongly suggest you to read the original topic HERE.
Bethesda Softworks Community Manager has already started legal procedure as stated under tda...
Discuss...
Bethesda Softworks Community Manager has already started legal procedure as stated under tda...
QUOTE(tda @ Jul 12 2007, 09:13 AM) 
For those not familiar with IMVU, it appears to be a instant messaging program which uses 3d avatars instead of a regular 2d image.
I was alerted by Schadeljager that one lovely member of their community is currently passing off my oblivion mod work (which im sure a few people know of) as their own, namely my scythes and my tanzit's set. Not only that, but cultbrain's sauron armour set has also fallen victim to this thief.
You can see the items he is selling (yes, he's making money) right here. I find the comments he posts along with them quite amusing, as he really seems to be sucked in by his own lies.
"All the items available or buying from me,
my creation by the divine powers,
made by unbreakable materials to ensure perfect usage."
Yeah ok then.
After consulting Rohugh about whether it's ok, i'm posting this here so everyone can check this guy's member page and see if any of their stuff has fallen victim to plagiarism as well.
Now onto the legalities.
IMVU have a Product Flagging Policy in which it states that if your work has been plagiarised you can contact them via post or fax, but with me living outside the US and not owning a fax machine (and quite frankly not willing to pay money out of my own pocket for the postage) i've found alternate means of contacting them.
The only email adress i could find for them that wasn't either billing or development is clare@imvu.com (ironically the development email is for questions about making your own 3d assets, or stealing, you know, whichever) . If anyone else finds their work on this person's page and feels the need to email them as well, then do so. Hopefully this should raise their awareness levels about potential theft, seeing as they have no real countermeasures in place. Except of course the original owner stumbling across said items, which is not good enough frankly.
Other than that i have to say what a wonderful start to my morning! I hope nobody else's work has fallen victim to this theif, or their community in general.
I was alerted by Schadeljager that one lovely member of their community is currently passing off my oblivion mod work (which im sure a few people know of) as their own, namely my scythes and my tanzit's set. Not only that, but cultbrain's sauron armour set has also fallen victim to this thief.
You can see the items he is selling (yes, he's making money) right here. I find the comments he posts along with them quite amusing, as he really seems to be sucked in by his own lies.
"All the items available or buying from me,
my creation by the divine powers,
made by unbreakable materials to ensure perfect usage."
Yeah ok then.
After consulting Rohugh about whether it's ok, i'm posting this here so everyone can check this guy's member page and see if any of their stuff has fallen victim to plagiarism as well.
Now onto the legalities.
IMVU have a Product Flagging Policy in which it states that if your work has been plagiarised you can contact them via post or fax, but with me living outside the US and not owning a fax machine (and quite frankly not willing to pay money out of my own pocket for the postage) i've found alternate means of contacting them.
The only email adress i could find for them that wasn't either billing or development is clare@imvu.com (ironically the development email is for questions about making your own 3d assets, or stealing, you know, whichever) . If anyone else finds their work on this person's page and feels the need to email them as well, then do so. Hopefully this should raise their awareness levels about potential theft, seeing as they have no real countermeasures in place. Except of course the original owner stumbling across said items, which is not good enough frankly.
Other than that i have to say what a wonderful start to my morning! I hope nobody else's work has fallen victim to this theif, or their community in general.
QUOTE(Gstaff @ Jul 12 2007, 03:23 PM)
I'm notifying Legal as we speak.
Discuss...
KILLLLLLL!
we have so far established that the guy who did this is a theiving [censored]tard of a [censored] and so many more things that will be censord.
and also, that a fat guy witth a berd in a sailor moon costume is so far beyond disturbing that sheogorath might JUST let him live for haveing a berd in the first place.
damn beat me to it... but its the thought that counts right? even if theyre thoughts of hate about some random [censored] who rips people off... i seriously hope this guy does NOT get off lightly
Watch your post people. Anger is no excuse to bypass the filter.
On topic - If he was banned from IMVU, they would ban his IP. (I'd know, because I use it) so he would not be able to return.
On topic - If he was banned from IMVU, they would ban his IP. (I'd know, because I use it) so he would not be able to return.
QUOTE(theclerk @ Jul 12 2007, 06:31 PM)
damn beat me to it... but its the thought that counts right? even if theyre thoughts of hate about some random [censored] who rips people off... i seriously hope this guy does NOT get off
Fix'd
QUOTE(theclerk @ Jul 12 2007, 06:31 PM)
damn beat me to it... but its the thought that counts right? even if theyre thoughts of hate about some random [censored] who rips people off... i seriously hope this guy does NOT get off lightly
i doubt he will. so far, (if he lives in the US) he has violated SEVERAL copyright laws, and a couple outher things
Not to be the antagonist, but are we certain he's actually taking and selling the mod itself? Or is it weapon and armor names and model ideas he's ripping off and remaking them with a different engine? Sorry. I haven't read all 212 posts. Kind of a late comer into the discussion.
QUOTE(Veritas_Secreto @ Jul 13 2007, 12:35 AM)
Not to be the antagonist, but are we certain he's actually taking and selling the mod itself? Or is it weapon and armor names and model ideas he's ripping off and remaking them with a different engine? Sorry. I haven't read all 212 posts. Kind of a late comer into the discussion.
Hes ripping meshes and textures and rigging it to the imvu skeleton.
To clarify, imvu is a 3d chat program, where you can buy stuff for real money to put on your avatar.
Veras - From what i can see he's using my models and textures, along with other assets from mods released into this community.
He claims to have "recreated" them but i dont buy it. They're vert for vert, poly for poly, pixel for pixel the same as my stuff.
He claims to have "recreated" them but i dont buy it. They're vert for vert, poly for poly, pixel for pixel the same as my stuff.
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 06:31 PM)
and also, that a fat guy witth a berd in a sailor moon costume is so far beyond disturbing that sheogorath might JUST let him live for haveing a berd in the first place.
That is one image that will be burned into my retinas forever...
QUOTE(Veritas_Secreto @ Jul 12 2007, 06:35 PM)
Not to be the antagonist, but are we certain he's actually taking and selling the mod itself? Or is it weapon and armor names and model ideas he's ripping off and remaking them with a different engine? Sorry. I haven't read all 212 posts. Kind of a late comer into the discussion.
Take good look at his items. It's very obvious that his content is stolen. Look at the Assassin Set, and TDA's Saurion Armor if you don't believe. Heck, with enough time you could match each item to it's respective author.
QUOTE(theclerk @ Jul 12 2007, 06:38 PM)
im not bypassing a filter. i found a loop-hole... technically, i have not used any bad words. i made some up. but because i know myself better than anyone else i'll just use words like funk from now on... okay? 
You may fool the system, but the Administers aren't fools. And typically they do frown on things like that. But funk and such should be ok.
BURN THE WITCH!
What a piece of scum he is... (And a load of words that would end up censored, too.)
If you read his journal there on IMVU he claims hes only stealing the ideas. I don't know if there can be any sort of copyright on a mod idea or not so he may very well get away with this.
What a piece of scum he is... (And a load of words that would end up censored, too.)
QUOTE(Veritas_Secreto @ Jul 12 2007, 05:35 PM)
Not to be the antagonist, but are we certain he's actually taking and selling the mod itself? Or is it weapon and armor names and model ideas he's ripping off and remaking them with a different engine? Sorry. I haven't read all 212 posts. Kind of a late comer into the discussion.
If you read his journal there on IMVU he claims hes only stealing the ideas. I don't know if there can be any sort of copyright on a mod idea or not so he may very well get away with this.
this is my model
http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=u...led5copysw9.jpg
easy for me to see it. And now I remade that model completely in a better way, will he 'update' his work when I release it?
and he's making money, although he's not going to be rich at .37$ a piece...
yet I did the work and I never got a cent.
http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=u...led5copysw9.jpg
easy for me to see it. And now I remade that model completely in a better way, will he 'update' his work when I release it?
and he's making money, although he's not going to be rich at .37$ a piece...
yet I did the work and I never got a cent.
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 12 2007, 06:50 PM)
BURN THE WITCH!
What a piece of scum he is... (And a load of words that would end up censored, too.)
If you read his journal there on IMVU he claims hes only stealing the ideas. I don't know if there can be any sort of copyright on a mod idea or not so he may very well get away with this.
What a piece of scum he is... (And a load of words that would end up censored, too.)
If you read his journal there on IMVU he claims hes only stealing the ideas. I don't know if there can be any sort of copyright on a mod idea or not so he may very well get away with this.
we SHOULD all go kill him, bu he isn't stealing ONLY the ideas, though he claims he IS. he is ACTULLY stealing the entire thing, but only claiming he's stealing the ideas because thats all he can get away with
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 06:00 PM)
we SHOULD all go kill him, bu he isn't stealing ONLY the ideas, though he claims he IS. he is ACTULLY stealing the entire thing, but only claiming he's stealing the ideas because thats all he can get away with
I checked the pictures. You're right. I recognize those textures from the scythes as the originals. Lets hope Bethesda's legal guys rip this piece of crap apart.
And not to forget, he also blatantly ripped off Relic/THQ by stealing weapons and the Grey Knight and Chaplain models right out of Dawn of War/Winter Assault/Dark Crusade.
I contacted THQ about 4 hours ago, but still no response from them.
And can we please stop with the killing/hacking threats?
Call him names or whatever, but theres no need to go that far. Just let Beth and Relic have their go with him.
I contacted THQ about 4 hours ago, but still no response from them.
And can we please stop with the killing/hacking threats?
Call him names or whatever, but theres no need to go that far. Just let Beth and Relic have their go with him.
Death would be too quick...and murder too illegal...
It would be much more painful for him to be chucked apart by Bethesda's Lawyers.
Lets try not to get swept into a murderous rage here. Wouldn't want the Moderators to get the wrong idea. He'll get whats coming to him.
It would be much more painful for him to be chucked apart by Bethesda's Lawyers.
Lets try not to get swept into a murderous rage here. Wouldn't want the Moderators to get the wrong idea. He'll get whats coming to him.
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 12 2007, 07:04 PM)
I checked the pictures. You're right. I recognize those textures from the scythes as the originals. Lets hope Bethesda's legal guys rip this piece of crap apart.
dunno about the crap, but defenatly the wallet
QUOTE(Lurid @ Jul 12 2007, 07:06 PM)
And not to forget, he also blatantly ripped off Relic/THQ by stealing weapons and the Grey Knight and Chaplain models right out of Dawn of War/Winter Assault/Dark Crusade.
I contacted THQ about 4 hours ago, but still no response from them.
And can we please stop with the killing/hacking threats?
Call him names or whatever, but theres no need to go that far. Just let Beth and Relic have their go with him.
I contacted THQ about 4 hours ago, but still no response from them.
And can we please stop with the killing/hacking threats?
Call him names or whatever, but theres no need to go that far. Just let Beth and Relic have their go with him.
but death threats are FUN...
Right. *gives Kim Jong Il a call* Nuke da bastard!
A quick way we may get him if he uses the 'i took the models not the mod' getaway:
If TDA used the original scythe from the game (I saw a normal scythe in his mod and on the jerk's site) we can say he technically stole the texture, then let Beth have their way with him. Them and their dark perverted ways.
EDIT: Typo :'(
If TDA used the original scythe from the game (I saw a normal scythe in his mod and on the jerk's site) we can say he technically stole the texture, then let Beth have their way with him. Them and their dark perverted ways.
EDIT: Typo :'(
I agree that it's despicable. If he is actually using original meshes, then it is outright theft. If on the other hand he can prove that he is simply taking the idea and recreating it from scratch in a different engine, he'll most likely get away with it. From a legal standpoint, ideas as intellectual property is every lawyer's worst nightmare.
QUOTE(WingMaster @ Jul 12 2007, 05:09 PM)
A quick way we may get him if he uses the 'i took the models not the mod' getaway:
If TDA used the original scythe from the game (I saw a normal scythe in hsi mod and on the jerk's site) we can say he technically stole the texture, then let Beth have their way. Them and their dark perverted ways.
If TDA used the original scythe from the game (I saw a normal scythe in hsi mod and on the jerk's site) we can say he technically stole the texture, then let Beth have their way. Them and their dark perverted ways.
Flaw in that argument, Tda doesn't CHARGE for his mods.
Well, I hope he gets what he deserves. Jail time for many a year. I feel awful for the modders whose work he has stolen.
I certainly extend my sympathy to those of you who got ripped off.
QUOTE(Vetto @ Jul 12 2007, 06:11 PM)
Flaw in that argument, Tda doesn't CHARGE for his mods.
So?
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 12 2007, 05:23 PM)
So?
The point is tda isn't profiting off it, which is all right legally if he makes a mod for a game that let you make mods to make something already in game usable legally that all right. Now if he charged for the mod that be a no no.
The guy isn't going to get jailed or anything like that, at most he'll be banned. All i want is my work removing.
QUOTE(Vetto @ Jul 12 2007, 06:26 PM)
The point is tda isn't profiting off it, which is all right legally if he makes a mod for a game that let you make mods to make something already in game usable legally that all right. Now if he charged for the mod that be a no no.
Anything that touches the CS is copyrighted to Bethesda though. Which means the guy from IMVU is selling Bethesda's property.
QUOTE(tda @ Jul 12 2007, 05:26 PM)
The guy isn't going to get jailed or anything like that, at most he'll be banned. All i want is my work removing.
A swing and a miss..
The guy was saying the kid could try to weasel out by saying one of Tda Scythes wasn't made by tda, thus tda himself was breaking the law . I was pointing out! That tda doesn't charge for his mod and this is in the legal clear.
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 12 2007, 07:23 PM)
So?
technacly, every mod created in the CS if bethesda's property, so selling ANYTHING for a TES mod is illegal, including the mod it's self.
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 05:31 PM)
technacly, every mod created in the CS if bethesda's property, so selling ANYTHING for a TES mod is illegal, including the mod it's self.
Not 100% true, Just case tda put his armor into Oblivion CS doesn't mean the armor it self belong to Beth, But since for his armor to actually work need Beth CS system to make it move in game then correct he can not sell the mod, but if he took the armor he made to say a different game that allows you to sell mods, he could sell his armor and beth couldn't stop him the armor was made 100% by Tda.
QUOTE(tda @ Jul 12 2007, 07:26 PM)
The guy isn't going to get jailed or anything like that, at most he'll be banned. All i want is my work removing.
banned definatly... not that it'll do mutch good.
if he's made any money yet, he WILL be fined because the police will probbly get involved... possible worse, depending on how mutch he made. possibly jail time, but I doubt it.
QUOTE(Vetto @ Jul 12 2007, 07:32 PM)
Not 100% true, Just case tda put his armor into Oblivion CS doesn't mean the armor it self belong to Beth, But since for his armor to actually work need Beth CS system to make it move in game yen correct he can not sell the mod, but if he took the armor he made to say a different game that allows you to sell mods, he could sell his armor and beth couldn't stop him the armor was made 100% by Tda.
yes, if the armor it'sself never touched the CS... If it was ever actully put in game, bethesda could claim it was theirs
QUOTE(tda @ Jul 12 2007, 07:26 PM)
The guy isn't going to get jailed or anything like that, at most he'll be banned. All i want is my work removing.
The sooner we can get this guy defeated the better. I don't really care if he gets jailed or not. Just that he doesn't get to do this again.
If he does it again, when he already knows not to do it, and he doesn't honestly try to set things right by taking the right steps...
Well if he does that, then I'm all for placing him behind a comfy set of bars.
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 05:36 PM)
yes, if the armor it'sself never touched the CS... If it was ever actully put in game, bethesda could claim it was theirs
Not true, If Tda Made the model AND texture those belong to TDA, No matter how hard beth might not like it that belong to him and that mesh/Texture he can use as he damn well pleases, Now any kind of mechanic such as animations, movements, so on and so forth that he used from Beth he could not of cores use again in another mod for another game.
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 06:31 PM)
technacly, every mod created in the CS if bethesda's property, so selling ANYTHING for a TES mod is illegal, including the mod it's self.
If a Mod is created in the cs it is property of Bethsoft...If it was designed in CS editor (SCripts, Aipackages, Worldspace, etc..Stuff that the normal editor can build)..then Bethsoft ...
In the case of a model / textures and it is a 100% new model or a texture that was created with 3dmax or Blender , Photoshop etc..then it is considered property of the person who created it..And they have the legal rights for that..
You can tell from looking at the pictures that are posted on this person site and see that they are cleary using some else models and textures..Has mentioned Already...
TDA has gone through alot of work and this person is stealing his work calling it his own, and if you check his blog he clearly states that he uses stuff from other Games and Mods...and Charges a price for them..that is a big no, no...In the games business
Hopefully that person account will be banned not his ip at IMVU ..because ip address can change. Unless static ip, most ip are not..but,
TDA I hope that you can get this solved..
QUOTE(Vetto @ Jul 12 2007, 07:38 PM)
Not true, If Tda Made the model AND texture those belong to TDA, No matter how hard beth might not like it that belong to him and that mesh/Texture he can use as he damn well pleases, Now any kind of mechanic such as animations, movements, so on and so forth that he used from Beth he could not of cores use again in another mod for another game.
yeah, your right, i'm not thinking straight today.... never agin will I chug 5 cups of punch after someone warns me it's spiked...
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 06:31 PM)
technacly, every mod created in the CS if bethesda's property, so selling ANYTHING for a TES mod is illegal, including the mod it's self.
Er... Thats what I said... already.
QUOTE(NOT_VERI_SEXI_BOI^^^ @ Jul 12 2007, 07:09 PM)
Right. *gives Kim Jong Il a call* Nuke da bastard!
Your immaturity is unprecedented.
====
[twocents]
I was pretty impressed with the speed and tenacity of people on this issue. It just goes to show that internet is not as big as it seems, and if you try to cheat someone, people will find out, and you better hope they don't care. I really hope this goes out as an example to further would-be infringers. It is kind of scary though. I would venture to guess that most of us have downloaded music, TV episodes, movies, software, and/or anime before in a manner not legal. How are we any better than this person? I guess stealing from the big players is more chivalric(a la Robin Hood) than stealing content made by a servant to the people.
[/twocents]
Ugh...starting to think that people will have to put deformities on their models just to make sure no one tries to steal them. Like they did on old plastic toys by having the thumbs upside down(GI-Joe I believe). If I ever get into modelling, I know I'll mark my models with some sort of hidden mark. Maybe my name scaled down to look like a pixel or something.
That way if someone tried to simply convert my things, I can make them look like an ass by scaling up the name for all to see.
That way if someone tried to simply convert my things, I can make them look like an ass by scaling up the name for all to see.
QUOTE(Veritas_Secreto @ Jul 12 2007, 07:12 PM)
I agree that it's despicable. If he is actually using original meshes, then it is outright theft. If on the other hand he can prove that he is simply taking the idea and recreating it from scratch in a different engine, he'll most likely get away with it. From a legal standpoint, ideas as intellectual property is every lawyer's worst nightmare.
Ever head of Eric Bauman? He stole, could not prove it was his, and STILL got away with it!
Nevermind, I should've remembered the OP...
If I ever get into mods, I'll an incredibly small "Nice Try" somewhere on it.
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 12 2007, 07:48 PM)
Er... Thats what I said... already.
I hit the add reply button before I saw your post
QUOTE(Leo. @ Jul 12 2007, 07:50 PM)
Your immaturity is unprecedented.
====
[twocents]
I was pretty impressed with the speed and tenacity of people on this issue. It just goes to show that internet is not as big as it seems, and if you try to cheat someone, people will find out, and you better hope they don't care. I really hope this goes out as an example to further would-be infringers. It is kind of scary though. I would venture to guess that most of us have downloaded music, TV episodes, movies, software, and/or anime before in a manner not legal. How are we any better than this person? I guess stealing from the big players is more chivalric(a la Robin Hood) than stealing content made by a servant to the people.
[/twocents]
====
[twocents]
I was pretty impressed with the speed and tenacity of people on this issue. It just goes to show that internet is not as big as it seems, and if you try to cheat someone, people will find out, and you better hope they don't care. I really hope this goes out as an example to further would-be infringers. It is kind of scary though. I would venture to guess that most of us have downloaded music, TV episodes, movies, software, and/or anime before in a manner not legal. How are we any better than this person? I guess stealing from the big players is more chivalric(a la Robin Hood) than stealing content made by a servant to the people.
[/twocents]
I don't think watching a TV show, or listing to music online is really hurting anyone, most of the time your only watching what you would have already seen if you had rembered to turn on your TV
no need to hide stuff in...
there's absolutely NO WAY two person can come out with the exact same mesh for a model.
and even just looking at it on a simple photo I know that he stole one of my swords, hey I built the damn thing and textured it myself, so I should know.
there's not even a question about it. He stole everything.
there's absolutely NO WAY two person can come out with the exact same mesh for a model.
and even just looking at it on a simple photo I know that he stole one of my swords, hey I built the damn thing and textured it myself, so I should know.
there's not even a question about it. He stole everything.
QUOTE(NOT_VERI_SEXI_BOI^^^ @ Jul 12 2007, 07:55 PM)
Ever head of Eric Bauman? He stole, could not prove it was his, and STILL got away with it!
nobody was ever able to prove it WASN'T his eather
Ok, that [censored] does it. I am fed up with these ingrates. First I see a dozen threads on mod pirates. Then i see people saying the IC expanded project should be stopped. I am not in the mood to have some cretin steal IC expanded and sell it or post a topic on how my mod sucks like one of our mebers did about Bartholm. I already have had a few people tell me that IC expanded project is stupid and should not be made as it insults gamers and Bethesda. Should we just put the Project to persona use. i mean really, we work hard and then we would eighter have our od pirated or criticized on a forum which woul lead to hate mail. It is a real connundrum.
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 08:06 PM)
nobody was ever able to prove it WASN'T his eather
Except Newgrounds, YTMND, and everyone else he stole from. He looked through everything and got rid of anything incriminating. He then claimed it.
Here is a link that shows his email addresses as well as his face.
http://ace-angel.deviantart.com/
You could email him with your thoughts on this, although I would advise against hate-rants.... I think it's far more powerful when someone writes a mature thoughtful kick-in-the-ass
J
http://ace-angel.deviantart.com/
You could email him with your thoughts on this, although I would advise against hate-rants.... I think it's far more powerful when someone writes a mature thoughtful kick-in-the-ass
J
er- double posted when trying to edit. Sorry.
QUOTE(hickmanj @ Jul 12 2007, 08:07 PM)
Here is a link that shows his email addresses as well as his face.
http://ace-angel.deviantart.com/
You could email him with your thoughts on this, although I would advise against hate-rants.... I think it's far more powerful when someone writes a mature thoughtful kick-in-the-ass
J
http://ace-angel.deviantart.com/
You could email him with your thoughts on this, although I would advise against hate-rants.... I think it's far more powerful when someone writes a mature thoughtful kick-in-the-ass
J
His face has creep written all over it
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 08:05 PM)
I don't think watching a TV show, or listing to music online is really hurting anyone, most of the time your only watching what you would have already seen if you had rembered to turn on your TV
Downloading, not watching. Old Napster vs. Youtube.
===
I don't want to start a digression on the legality(there are other forums for that) of it[downloading], just mentioning the similarity between the two acts.
Thats blatantly wrong.
He should just take them down without a fight, so much easier oneveryone.
Also, TIME PARADOX
He should just take them down without a fight, so much easier oneveryone.
Also, TIME PARADOX
QUOTE(waalx @ Jul 12 2007, 08:05 PM)
no need to hide stuff in...
there's absolutely NO WAY two person can come out with the exact same mesh for a model.
and even just looking at it on a simple photo I know that he stole one of my swords, hey I built the damn thing and textured it myself, so I should know.
there's not even a question about it. He stole everything.
there's absolutely NO WAY two person can come out with the exact same mesh for a model.
and even just looking at it on a simple photo I know that he stole one of my swords, hey I built the damn thing and textured it myself, so I should know.
there's not even a question about it. He stole everything.
I know I know. It would be a just in case thing. Like if someone knew how to rearrange vertexes and keep the general shape, all while keeping the textures in place. Like some sort of 3d Subdivide/Deteriorate master.
That way, if he tried to be smug and say it was his because the mesh was slightly different but not exactly the same, I could find my secret name and nail him dead in a lie. The only problem I would see is preventing the name from getting garbled as well. If only there was a secret watermark option, now there would be something cool to have!
QUOTE(cyronarxes @ Jul 12 2007, 08:07 PM)
Ok, that [censored] does it. I am fed up with these ingrates. First I see a dozen threads on mod pirates. Then i see people saying the IC expanded project should be stopped. I am not in the mood to have some cretin steal IC expanded and sell it or post a topic on how my mod sucks like one of our mebers did about Bartholm. I already have had a few people tell me that IC expanded project is stupid and should not be made as it insults gamers and Bethesda. Should we just put the Project to persona use. i mean really, we work hard and then we would eighter have our od pirated or criticized on a forum which woul lead to hate mail. It is a real connundrum.
do what you want to, do what you think is good. People who tell you you shoulden't should be given a swift kick in the ass.
QUOTE(NOT_VERI_SEXI_BOI^^^ @ Jul 12 2007, 08:06 PM)
Except Newgrounds, YTMND, and everyone else he stole from. He looked through everything and got rid of anything incriminating. He then claimed it.
...well, he's a real basterd, huh?
QUOTE(Leo. @ Jul 12 2007, 08:12 PM)
Downloading, not watching. Old Napster vs. Youtube.
===
I don't want to start a digression on the legality(there are other forums for that) of it[downloading], just mentioning the similarity between the two acts.
===
I don't want to start a digression on the legality(there are other forums for that) of it[downloading], just mentioning the similarity between the two acts.
ooooo..... well, so long as noone is selling it... lol
Who ever the owner of an mod is, only Beth and no one else is allowed to charge money for mod`s.
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 12 2007, 08:26 PM)
ooooo..... well, so long as noone is selling it... lol
That is a pretty significant difference[downloading and selling vs. downloading]. I can't believe I completely overlooked it.
QUOTE(Ryu Doppler @ Jul 12 2007, 06:51 PM)
Ugh...starting to think that people will have to put deformities on their models just to make sure no one tries to steal them. Like they did on old plastic toys by having the thumbs upside down(GI-Joe I believe). If I ever get into modelling, I know I'll mark my models with some sort of hidden mark. Maybe my name scaled down to look like a pixel or something.
That way if someone tried to simply convert my things, I can make them look like an ass by scaling up the name for all to see.
That way if someone tried to simply convert my things, I can make them look like an ass by scaling up the name for all to see.
That's actually a very good idea, I know if I actually did work like this I would attempt to do something of that nature.
QUOTE(Toprem @ Jul 12 2007, 07:42 PM)
That's actually a very good idea, I know if I actually did work like this I would attempt to do something of that nature.
You just gave me a great idea.
Modders, listen up, I think we can catch this guy. I don't know if hes keeping an eye on this so post here if you're willing to listen to my plan and I'll drop you a PM.
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 12 2007, 09:07 PM)
You just gave me a great idea.
Modders, listen up, I think we can catch this guy. I don't know if hes keeping an eye on this so post here if you're willing to listen to my plan and I'll drop you a PM.
Modders, listen up, I think we can catch this guy. I don't know if hes keeping an eye on this so post here if you're willing to listen to my plan and I'll drop you a PM.
i'm interested.
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 13 2007, 01:07 PM)
You just gave me a great idea.
Modders, listen up, I think we can catch this guy. I don't know if hes keeping an eye on this so post here if you're willing to listen to my plan and I'll drop you a PM.
Modders, listen up, I think we can catch this guy. I don't know if hes keeping an eye on this so post here if you're willing to listen to my plan and I'll drop you a PM.
Hmmm?
I have a screencap of his IMVU and DA page incase he decides to nuke the offending "submissions"
is this thread dead?
do the japanese torture put shards of bamboo and smash them under his finger nails 
QUOTE(Theoden22 @ Jul 12 2007, 10:45 PM)
do the japanese torture put shards of bamboo and smash them under his finger nails
no, though it DOES sound very effective
sorry the Reaper in me came out 
QUOTE(Dart @ Jul 13 2007, 03:41 AM)
is this thread dead?
Well i never intended this thread to get as crazy as it has, i was just hoping to give everyone a heads up to the situation. It turns out more than just mine and cultbrain's stuff was ripped so it was a good job i posted it, and it looks as if perhaps it spurred beth into action as well, who knows.
Either way all that can be done now is to sit and see what happens. I certainly won't be losing any sleep over it, but i hope the people who can do something about it, do something about it.
Well said my friend, but a public flogging and then followed by traditional drawn and quartering would be adequate.\
But I hate theft in any form.
But I hate theft in any form.
Sry to hear about your stuff tda, and anyone else whoes stuff was stolen, i recognize the masks but dont remember the creator.
If Beth cant do anythgin about your stuff, they sure can do something about the DarkBrotherhood armor that hes using, because that is a direct model from Bethesda.
Id love to be at their office and listen in on whats going on.
If Beth cant do anythgin about your stuff, they sure can do something about the DarkBrotherhood armor that hes using, because that is a direct model from Bethesda.
Id love to be at their office and listen in on whats going on.
QUOTE(Echonite @ Jul 12 2007, 11:05 PM)
Id love to be at their office and listen in on whats going on.
*imagines a bunch of guys quietly sitting at a bunch of desks, one of them trying to contact the IMVU people and worrying even more about what the guy next to him did to his coffee when he wasn't looking*
Well...
Ontopic: Any updates?
QUOTE(Ryu Doppler @ Jul 12 2007, 06:07 PM)
Death would be too quick...and murder too illegal...
It would be much more painful for him to be chucked apart by Bethesda's Lawyers.
Lets try not to get swept into a murderous rage here. Wouldn't want the Moderators to get the wrong idea. He'll get whats coming to him.
It would be much more painful for him to be chucked apart by Bethesda's Lawyers.
Lets try not to get swept into a murderous rage here. Wouldn't want the Moderators to get the wrong idea. He'll get whats coming to him.
Exactly. Has anybody sent a pm to Gstaff about this?
Gstaff hasn't been online since he said that we was talking to the legal department this afternoon. (Atleast I don't believe he came back online). So we are just waiting for the news. Probably won't be for a day or two unfortunately.
What a wanker. And his "I'm innocent" post proves he's a moron too.
It should be pretty easy to prove that a mesh is a stolen or derived work, simply by studying the vertex relationships. Even if effort has been made to hide it, meshes become almost like a fingerprint based on the work done to them and the techniques used. Textures can easily be differenced in almost any image manipulation program.
It should be pretty easy to prove that a mesh is a stolen or derived work, simply by studying the vertex relationships. Even if effort has been made to hide it, meshes become almost like a fingerprint based on the work done to them and the techniques used. Textures can easily be differenced in almost any image manipulation program.
QUOTE(Raptor77 @ Jul 12 2007, 10:54 PM)
Gstaff hasn't been online since he said that we was talking to the legal department this afternoon. (Atleast I don't believe he came back online). So we are just waiting for the news. Probably won't be for a day or two unfortunately.
Yeah I didn't see the initial post unitl after I asked. It's what I get for not reading the post fully before I post.
If he's talking to legal, That guy on IMVU will wished he charged a whole more than a few cents, cuz he'll have one very hole in his pocket.
Awsome.. so happy Beth is stepping in.. i hope this guy gets screwed over
It'll be worse. He doesn't actually get money, but he gets credits, which can only be bought with money otherwise, so they are basically IMVU's currency. (cannot be turned from credits to money though)
As such, if he actually gets sued, he'll be banned from IMVU (IP blocked) for violating their TOS, and he will also have to pay lots of money out of his pocket, none of which came from what scraps he was making on IMVU to start.
Simply put, he's not actually making money, so the damage will be even more when/if he gets sued.
(before you say anything, I'm not suggesting not making real money < actually making money, or that what he did was not that bad. He deserved to be strung up, or thrown in the slammer with that sailor moon guy for a few years... that'll learn him)
As such, if he actually gets sued, he'll be banned from IMVU (IP blocked) for violating their TOS, and he will also have to pay lots of money out of his pocket, none of which came from what scraps he was making on IMVU to start.
Simply put, he's not actually making money, so the damage will be even more when/if he gets sued.
(before you say anything, I'm not suggesting not making real money < actually making money, or that what he did was not that bad. He deserved to be strung up, or thrown in the slammer with that sailor moon guy for a few years... that'll learn him)
QUOTE(SEPTRA 0X-7 @ Jul 12 2007, 11:13 PM)
As such, if he actually gets sued, he'll be banned from IMVU (IP blocked) for violating their TOS, and he will also have to pay lots of money out of his pocket, none of which came from what scraps he was making on IMVU to start.
Serves him right!
Oh yes, I just realized something... Bethesda actually does have partial ownership of the models made for their game . (By modders, that is) Unrigged, they own no part of it, but once rigged, they own part of it, due to you using their skeleton. So, infact, bethesda can get involved, not only in the dark brotherhood stuff, but all of the oblivion modder models, as they used their skeleton rig, which he ripped apart to suit IMVU.
So sue more Bethesda, sue more! Make this guy your [censored]!
So sue more Bethesda, sue more! Make this guy your [censored]!
Wow this is the first time I am cheering for the big faceless cooperation as opposed to the little guy
QUOTE(needahearth @ Jul 12 2007, 11:57 PM)
Wow this is the first time I am cheering for the big faceless cooperation as opposed to the little guy
The little guy normally isn't a criminal stealing from modders who work hard for the community for no profit, though, so its understandable.
QUOTE(needahearth @ Jul 12 2007, 11:57 PM)
Wow this is the first time I am cheering for the big faceless cooperation as opposed to the little guy
I think in this case the big faceless corporation just became our friend.
This is just disgusting, I can't believe how low some people will go just to make a few bucks. I sincerely hope this guy gets whats coming to him. I have made a few mods but nothing big worth stealing or selling, so I don't know how it feels to get my work stolen like that. I'm very glad to see that Bethesda is doing something about this.
Looks like the guy blocked access to his page with an access pass. Anyone here happen to use IMVU and have one so you can monitor what hes up to?
QUOTE(Mathias Jerick @ Jul 13 2007, 01:23 AM)
Looks like the guy blocked access to his page with an access pass. Anyone here happen to use IMVU and have one so you can monitor what hes up to?
Well of course I do and of course I can.
In addition to blocking the page, he also deleted all of the messages left on his page. Somehow I suspect I'm not the only one with an access pass that's keeping an eye on him though.
And I think I'll take this time to do away with all this subterfuge nonsense. If AceAngel hasn't figured out that I'm Schadeljager by now then he truly is dense, but there's no reason for pretenses now.
I've been keeping an eye on him for some time now, ever since I saw the Warhammer 40K stuff he "created", but it wasn't until he ripped TDA's stuff off that I saw the chance to completely catch him out for his plagiarism. I'm really glad everybody's worked to pull this together, identify the other mods that have been stolen from and also bring this to the attention of Bethsoft and possibly other companies involved. This is one of the main reasons this forum community exists; not just so modders can give us all kinds of shiny goodies to play with but so we players can give support back to them whenever we can. Damn fine job folks.
I've been keeping an eye on him for some time now, ever since I saw the Warhammer 40K stuff he "created", but it wasn't until he ripped TDA's stuff off that I saw the chance to completely catch him out for his plagiarism. I'm really glad everybody's worked to pull this together, identify the other mods that have been stolen from and also bring this to the attention of Bethsoft and possibly other companies involved. This is one of the main reasons this forum community exists; not just so modders can give us all kinds of shiny goodies to play with but so we players can give support back to them whenever we can. Damn fine job folks.
I think he bot banned from IMVU already. I get an error page when going to his product list and home page. the "Unable to find page" type of error.
A new thread. Alot happens since I was last here.
My comments on his homepage were removed as I knew they'd be. Oooh, it looks like Ace has locked down his homepage. Only those with an access pass can get in. Lucky for me I have an access pass
Although I haven't used the site for ages (since it was first launched) so don't know if it applies to other user's pages as well as the adult-related stuff I originally bought it for 
We shall see...
Edit: I'm in. So the access pass I bought way back whenever is still valid. Coolies
My comments on his homepage were removed as I knew they'd be. Oooh, it looks like Ace has locked down his homepage. Only those with an access pass can get in. Lucky for me I have an access pass
Although I haven't used the site for ages (since it was first launched) so don't know if it applies to other user's pages as well as the adult-related stuff I originally bought it for We shall see...
Edit: I'm in. So the access pass I bought way back whenever is still valid. Coolies
Hm, IMVU is kinda fun... I would like it if it weren't for that horrid blog integration. I have enough journals to keep track of as it is, and the fact that you have to pay for credits, WoW sucks up all my money...
Anyways, there is a point to this post. IMVU will probably start paying attention if everyone with an account flags his items as a copyright violation.
Anyways, there is a point to this post. IMVU will probably start paying attention if everyone with an account flags his items as a copyright violation.
IMVU was fun, when it first came out. I made some things for it, and only recently got a PM from the admin saying my eye and hair sets violated their mature content policy. 
I don't see how. They received a lovely reply from me. The truth is I disabled them because they were boring, and not very good. They tried to say that they disabled them for some violation. I can think of plenty of other add-ons that are definitely breaking the rules...the reason for this thread for example.
I just prefer faceless MSN now
I don't see how. They received a lovely reply from me. The truth is I disabled them because they were boring, and not very good. They tried to say that they disabled them for some violation. I can think of plenty of other add-ons that are definitely breaking the rules...the reason for this thread for example.I just prefer faceless MSN now
QUOTE(MystykStar @ Jul 13 2007, 03:31 AM)
IMVU was fun, when it first came out. I made some things for it, and only recently got a PM from the admin saying my eye and hair sets violated their mature content policy. I don't see how. They received a lovely reply from me. The truth is I disabled them because they were boring, and not very good. They tried to say that they disabled them for some violation. I can think of plenty of other add-ons that are definitely breaking the rules...the reason for this thread for example.
I just prefer faceless MSN now
I don't see how. They received a lovely reply from me. The truth is I disabled them because they were boring, and not very good. They tried to say that they disabled them for some violation. I can think of plenty of other add-ons that are definitely breaking the rules...the reason for this thread for example.I just prefer faceless MSN now
Yeah, nothing beats the simplicity and ease of use of a classic IM, anyway. Oh, I think I've derailed the topic, a bit eh?
That person is lower than whale poop!
oh my god...what a jerk O_O, and to think people actually get fooled thinking he made this stuff and they're buying it from this jerk...i'm sorry to hear about this guys >_<.
These threads fill up with crap to much. Any more official updates from the legal team or mods? Do they even plan to keep us updated since it was a community user who spotted this theft?
QUOTE(mirage223 @ Jul 13 2007, 05:46 AM)
These threads fill up with crap to much. Any more official updates from the legal team or mods? Do they even plan to keep us updated since it was a community user who spotted this theft?
I doubt Bethesda will have any word until the work day starts today at the earliest. The legal guys are getting up having their breakfast right around now, most likely.
According to the Berne Convention, you are entitled to damages, up to 110,000 USD. This same goes for that guy who tried to sell our content on eBay.
I am currently seeking out lawyers who will take the cases.
I am currently seeking out lawyers who will take the cases.
QUOTE(Mr. Dave @ Jul 13 2007, 05:35 AM)
According to the Berne Convention, you are entitled to damages, up to 110,000 USD. This same goes for that guy who tried to sell our content on eBay.
I am currently seeking out lawyers who will take the cases.
I am currently seeking out lawyers who will take the cases.
I bet if the guy read that, it'd scare him the [censored] out of him.
I'm sure Relic would take an interest in this as well, those Grey Knight and Chaplain sets are without a doubt from Dawn of War (I know, I own all the DoW games and play Eldar or SMurfs all the time)
I have a great desire to see this guy slammed with a lawsuit, it's despicable that he should get away with plagiarising, and make money out of it at the same time (From Non-profit mods or games that people actually spent a large amount of time working on)
I have a great desire to see this guy slammed with a lawsuit, it's despicable that he should get away with plagiarising, and make money out of it at the same time (From Non-profit mods or games that people actually spent a large amount of time working on)
QUOTE(Ravenholme CP42 @ Jul 13 2007, 08:40 AM)
I'm sure Relic would take an interest in this as well, those Grey Knight and Chaplain sets are without a doubt from Dawn of War (I know, I own all the DoW games and play Eldar or SMurfs all the time)
I have a great desire to see this guy slammed with a lawsuit, it's despicable that he should get away with plagiarising, and make money out of it at the same time (From Non-profit mods or games that people actually spent a large amount of time working on)
I have a great desire to see this guy slammed with a lawsuit, it's despicable that he should get away with plagiarising, and make money out of it at the same time (From Non-profit mods or games that people actually spent a large amount of time working on)
Do you want to contact relic about it? I'm sure they'd love to know.
I can try, but I'm not sure how I would word it....
The major tell though is the quality of the models and the textures. I'm fairly certain the Warhammer Weapons are also from Dawn of War.
The major tell though is the quality of the models and the textures. I'm fairly certain the Warhammer Weapons are also from Dawn of War.
I contacted THQ yesterday, but Relics homepage is a little...empty. So I couldn't find any email or so. But since THQ is the publisher, they might have some interest of slapping him in the face with a wet noodle.
I really doubt that any big company is going to want to get involved in a lawsuit over this. A cease & desist letter is the most he'll likely see, unless he's even more foolish, considerably more foolish, than I already think he is, and decides to ignore the cease & desist letter.
Actually, according to the CS's EULA, Bethesda does claim the rights to every asset used in a mod. Wouldn't stand for a second in court, but the claim is there. I believe the idea is that it's to prevent you from offering a .esp for free, and then charging for the models and textures or whatever.
QUOTE(Vetto @ Jul 12 2007, 04:32 PM)
Not 100% true, Just case tda put his armor into Oblivion CS doesn't mean the armor it self belong to Beth, But since for his armor to actually work need Beth CS system to make it move in game then correct he can not sell the mod, but if he took the armor he made to say a different game that allows you to sell mods, he could sell his armor and beth couldn't stop him the armor was made 100% by Tda.
QUOTE(Corepc @ Jul 12 2007, 04:42 PM)
If a Mod is created in the cs it is property of Bethsoft...If it was designed in CS editor (SCripts, Aipackages, Worldspace, etc..Stuff that the normal editor can build)..then Bethsoft ...
In the case of a model / textures and it is a 100% new model or a texture that was created with 3dmax or Blender , Photoshop etc..then it is considered property of the person who created it..And they have the legal rights for that..
In the case of a model / textures and it is a 100% new model or a texture that was created with 3dmax or Blender , Photoshop etc..then it is considered property of the person who created it..And they have the legal rights for that..
Actually, according to the CS's EULA, Bethesda does claim the rights to every asset used in a mod. Wouldn't stand for a second in court, but the claim is there. I believe the idea is that it's to prevent you from offering a .esp for free, and then charging for the models and textures or whatever.
This has got to be one of the worst things I've ever read about here on the forums. That guy is just low and I truly feel sorry for the modders who's work he is stealing for profit.
I reposteth my song now.
Once upon a time
On the internet
There was a guy
A convict from a manger
They called him the AceAngel
He was a total ass hole
And nobody knows why
He traveled all around
On release of each damn awesome mod
From Tanzit set on to Glass Scythe
With his sex slave Bill St. Smythe
He stole and stuck it all on IMVU.com
It wasn't fair
To those
From whom he stole
But did he care?
No, not
One bit
And then he had the nads
to screw
young lads!
What a piece of [censored]!
AceAngel
Ace is quite a [censored]
Other people's work has made him rich
He hired some male prostitutes
Dressed them up in 3 piece suits
His faithful team of lawyers
Made the Internet his [censored]
Till all us came along
Hit him with a rake
and banged his mom
And Mr. Angel, quite disgraced
Had all his products erased
Well, sadly, that's a lie
They're still on IMVU[dot]com
But if we all join hands
And sing this song
Then our call will reach the sky
And maybe Zeus and Thor
Will smite that [censored]
Well, it's worth a try
OH,
AceAngel
Is going down
We've got to rise up from the underground
And show AceAngel
A thing or two
About how stealing simply isn't cool
Right now we're making that our mission
And if that bastard doesn't listen
Then we'll get sick of being lawful
And brand his ass with
Something Awful!
Once upon a time
On the internet
There was a guy
A convict from a manger
They called him the AceAngel
He was a total ass hole
And nobody knows why
He traveled all around
On release of each damn awesome mod
From Tanzit set on to Glass Scythe
With his sex slave Bill St. Smythe
He stole and stuck it all on IMVU.com
It wasn't fair
To those
From whom he stole
But did he care?
No, not
One bit
And then he had the nads
to screw
young lads!
What a piece of [censored]!
AceAngel
Ace is quite a [censored]
Other people's work has made him rich
He hired some male prostitutes
Dressed them up in 3 piece suits
His faithful team of lawyers
Made the Internet his [censored]
Till all us came along
Hit him with a rake
and banged his mom
And Mr. Angel, quite disgraced
Had all his products erased
Well, sadly, that's a lie
They're still on IMVU[dot]com
But if we all join hands
And sing this song
Then our call will reach the sky
And maybe Zeus and Thor
Will smite that [censored]
Well, it's worth a try
OH,
AceAngel
Is going down
We've got to rise up from the underground
And show AceAngel
A thing or two
About how stealing simply isn't cool
Right now we're making that our mission
And if that bastard doesn't listen
Then we'll get sick of being lawful
And brand his ass with
Something Awful!
QUOTE(NOT_VERI_SEXI_BOI^^^ @ Jul 13 2007, 11:56 PM)
*snippety*
Does it go to the tune of anything, any song I might know?--
He has some male and female skins up as well, and I scrutinised as much as I could (I'm no expert) and hoped they weren't Exnem's or Robert's. Put onto an IMVU model, thing, I can't really tell. I sure hope not, though.
I didn&#