Question about texture theft.

ok.. so a shop in SL that sells textures has like signs all over the shop about their "TOS" and how giving the textures to friends is against it, if I upload the same textures from the HAlf life 2 materials folder, am I going against their TOS? I mean do they "own" that texture because they uploaded it first? or do Valve have a presence in Second life that Im unaware of?

Richie.

IMO they don't own those textures unless they're Valve.

Since the textures are from another game and covered by a copyright you shouldn't be uploading them either. Maybe file and AR regarding the textures that are clearly from HalfLife, don't point out the ones that may look generic (like ground textures or such), aim for the very obvious copies.

indeed.. well I dont upload textures much Im just pointing out the irony of a shop having huge ass signs and "warnings" when they themselves have very obvios ripped textures themselves..

Irony ... no kidding. Irony so thick you need a chainsaw to cut it.

maybe valve bought them from that person

Oh how I hate people who steal textures from games. Just yesterday, someone stopped by my place, interrupted my building activity, and asked me for some textures specific to the look of a certain TV show. I explained that I've had such a texture pack in the works for quite some time, and that I will make it available to the public when it's done, but I can't say when that will be since it's not the highest priority project for me right now. His reply was that he has extracted the textures from a video game based on the show, and he would upload the textures himself, but he doesn't have any L$ so he can't afford the uploads.

My reply was, "On behalf of the texture artist community, please don't rip textures from games. It's illegal, immoral, and it costs real jobs."

To this he said, "Oh, well I can get them online then."

He just didn't get it. There were so many things I wanted to say to this guy, but I restrained myself and just said, "Same deal. Just because you can view it online doesn't mean it's yours to take. If you don't have license, don't use it."

He muttered, "No textures for me then," and disappeared.


As long as I live, I'll never understand where certain types of people get their sense of entitlement. I must wonder if the textures were not embedded in a game, or on a web page, so that the owner can't be seen, but on a CD on a store shelf, would these same people just pocket the CD and walk out, or would their attitude be a little different when they see the creator standing right there as a real human being. Is the lack of scruples a result of anonymity, or would they still have the guts to steal, face to face?

Anyway, Richie, the response to your story is yes, it's pretty ironic, and fairly rediculous for a texure thief to try to set inworld IP rights standards for something he stole in RL, but the answer is not to go and independantly steal those textures yourself. Two wrongs don't make a right, as I'm sure you know. You say you "don't upload textures much". When you do, do you upload textures you own, or did your statement just mean that you don't upload textures ripped from games (or other sources) much?

I hope it's the former. You realize the latter is not a question of degree, right? Doing it once is too much. Stealing occasionally is just as bad as stealing every day.

As for Half Life's TOS, unless there's a clause in there specifically granting you the right to use the textures for your own commercial purposes, the law says you can't do it. Whatever TOS that inworld shop is trying to impose is meaningless unless it's talking about textures the shop actually owns, which by your description, sounds like none.

I could draft a document telling you what you can and can't do with my neighbor's car, but it wouldn't mean anything since it's not MY car. The only thing my rules for usage can every apply to is my own stuff, not anyone else's.

By the same token, the only ones who can say what can and can't be done with Valve's textures is Valve.

mmmm.. well until I know different I severly doubt it.. Valves textures are cutting edge, they have some of the best gfx artists in the world working on their projects.. as is evident by looking even at a screenshot of HL 2.. seems unlikely.

no I dont upload much at all exept my art, and Scarlets when she get asset failures and can herself, and certainly dont ask for money for the small few things I do upload.. Ive personally only made a few textures myself and the ones I have gotten from sources (graffiti from walls and such such) and yea.. a couple of the Graffitri textures from inside HL 2, I dont sell em. and only give em to my friends. Id never use for commercial gain.. its pretty obvios this shop does. the second I seen the textures I though HL2! because cause I made maps for over a year with Hammer.